Northwest Legal

Northwest Legal is an estate planning and probate firm based in downtown Eugene, Oregon, serving clients throughout the state. Founded by Jinoo Hwang, the firm earns a 4.8 Google rating and distinguishes itself through direct client relationships, clear counsel, and meticulous legal work that exceeds industry standards.

About

Northwest Legal is a client-centered law firm based in downtown Eugene, Oregon, serving estate, business, and real property clients throughout the state and beyond. Founded by Jinoo Hwang, the firm has earned a 4.8 Google rating from 129 client reviews, reflecting its reputation for knowledgeable counsel delivered with a personal touch.

Jinoo Hwang brings a distinctive background to his legal practice. A Eugene native, he spent nine years owning and operating a successful multi-state publishing company, actively managed real estate investments, and taught as an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon for 16 years. This diverse experience in business, real estate, and education informs his creative approach to legal problems. After earning his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law, where he completed the Public Service Certificate Program, Hwang worked as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Charles D. Carlson and served as a trial lawyer and prosecutor for the Lane County District Attorney's office. These early roles gave him an intimate knowledge of the court system that continues to shape his practice today.

The firm's practice focuses on estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related business and real estate matters. Hwang works closely with clients to understand their objectives, then outlines the various tools and options available to achieve their goals. He has extensive experience drafting wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and medical directives for individuals and families. Northwest Legal assists clients not only with initial estate planning but also with updating plans following major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, business growth, or inheritance. The firm also handles complex probate and trust administration matters, will contests, and dispute prevention and resolution.

Northwest Legal distinguishes itself through its approach: clear, no-nonsense advice balanced with exceptionally detailed legal work product that surpasses industry standards. Clients work directly with Hwang rather than being handed off to junior staff, and the firm takes pride in translating complicated legal concepts into plain language clients can understand and act upon.

Beyond his private practice, Hwang is deeply engaged in the legal community and public service. He served as President of the Lane County Bar Association (2021-2025), is a member of the Oregon State Bar and its Estate Planning & Administration Section, and serves on the Oregon State Bar Board of Professional Responsibility. He volunteers extensively, including as a judge for the City of Eugene Teen Court Program, with the UO Underserved Wills Program for veterans, and as a board member of Hearts for Hospice.

The firm is located at 975 Oak Street, Suite 700, in downtown Eugene and operates by appointment. Hwang is fluent in English and has some facility with Mandarin Chinese and Korean.

Overview compiled from the firm's website