Michael Della Paolera

Michael grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon, while also spending a portion of his teenage years in Boston. When Michael was only 20 years old, he became a father. By the time he was 22, he became a single father. In becoming a single parent, he successfully represented himself in the early stages of the dispute before hiring an attorney to help him the rest of the way.

After the self-represented hearing, where he prevailed, he bumped into the judge in the hallway after court. She approached him and told him that he represented himself very well. In response to that he told her he always had an interest in law. She replied, “maybe you are missing your calling.” After his divorce and custody dispute was finalized, the judge’s words resonated with him and he then enrolled into Rogue Community College where he began his path to becoming a lawyer. He then transferred to Oregon State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a major in Political Science before getting his law degree at Willamette University. Because of his personal experiences, prior to working at Donahue, he worked for a non-profit law firm where he served lower-income families who traditionally cannot afford representation.

Michael’s personal experience gave him a passion to practice family law. He understands the importance of having representation through one of the more difficult times in one’s life.