We are Trust and Estate Lawyers in Salem, Oregon
Husband and wife Russell L. Getchell and Cecelia L. Batlan are continuing the estate planning practice started by Celia’s mother, Kathleen A. Evans, who retired at the end of 2019, following a long career highlighted by service to clients, the community, and the Marion County Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar.
Kathleen A. Evans
an AV rated lawyer, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington State University and Summa Cum Laude from Willamette University College of Law in 1982, practicing law in Salem, Oregon until her retirement in 2019.
During her career, Kathy was chosen to serve as the 2010 President of the Oregon State Bar, after three years of service on the Board of Governors. She is a co-founder and past President of the Willamette Valley American Inns of Court and served as President of the Marion County Bar Association, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Debtor/Creditor Section of the Oregon State Bar, member of the Executive Committee of the Business Section of the Oregon State Bar, and board member of the Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council.
Kathy was honored to receive the Marion County Bar Association 2010 Carson Award for Extraordinary Service to the Bar as well as the 2019 De Muniz Award for Professionalism. She counts with pride many years of service on the Board of Trustees for the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion & Polk Counties Foundation, the Salem YWCA and its Board of Trustees, and the Distribution Committee of the Salem Foundation.
Cecelia L. Batlan
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Willamette University in 2005. While there, she was an active member of the community, participating in varsity volleyball, campus clubs, and Greek life. Celia went on to graduate from Willamette University College of Law in 2008. During her time in law school, Celia received honors in Legal Research and Writing, was a finalist in the First Year Appellate Argument Competition, and a recipient of the Civil Rights Award. Celia is admitted to practice law in the State of Oregon. She worked for her mother Kathy throughout law school in the estate planning field and her practice continues to focus on estate planning and administration.
Celia is a current member of the Marion County Bar Association; the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee; the Estate Planning and Administration Section of the Oregon State Bar; member of the Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council; and member of WealthCounsel, www.wealthcounsel.com. She has dedicated time as a member on the Oregon State Bar Minimum Continuing Legal Education Committee, serving as chair in 2013. Celia also served as President of the Salem Art Association and chair of the Bush House Museum & Garden Committee.
Celia and her husband Russ are the proud parents of three young children who keep them very busy!
Russell L. Getchell
Russell L. Getchell is Celia’s husband and a 2002 graduate of Pacific University. Russ taught middle school language arts and social studies after obtaining his Masters in Teaching at Pacific in 2004. He obtained his J.D. in 2010 from Willamette University College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude. While at Willamette, Russ was a member of the law review and moot court.
Russ joined the firm in 2013, after spending two years in a commercial litigation law firm. Russ, too, has dedicated time to helping the Bar by serving as the editor of the Marion County Bar Association Bar Bulletin, was honored as the 2013 Arno Denecke New Lawyer of the Year, and served as a board member for the Marion County Bar Association.
Elena Soto
Elena Soto acts as the firm’s legal assistant, handling all aspects of its legal practice. She specializes in funding work required for the formation of living trusts and helps with the probate and trust administration process. She is one of the certified Notary Publics at the firm.
Elena enjoys spending time with her family and friends, visiting the beach, and going on hikes.
Amelia Ojeda
Amelia Ojeda is the first voice that you hear when you call and the first face you see when you walk in the door. As our receptionist, Amelia keeps our office running smoothly, handling a variety of management and organizational details for the firm. She, too, helps in her capacity as a Notary Public.
Amelia enjoys spending time with her son Ethan and her family and friends as well as karaoke, working on cars with her dad and watching sports.