Practice areas: Professional Liability, Family Law, Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in Oregon since: 2020
Education: Lewis & Clark Law School
Selected to Rising Stars: 2023 - 2026 Call today:
503-446-3971
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Free Consultation Scissors Law
230 NW 10th Ave.Portland, OR 97209 Visit website
Benjamin R. Scissors is the founder of Scissors Law, where he represents clients in criminal, civil and protective order matters. Known for his skill in high-stakes litigation, he brings exceptional advocacy, negotiation and trial experience to every case. His practice emphasizes restraining orders, stalking protective orders and criminal defense, where his persuasive courtroom presence and ability to simplify complex legal issues consistently help clients achieve favorable outcomes.
Mr. Scissors is recognized not only for his sharp legal strategies but also for his ability to connect with clients. He takes pride in explaining the law in clear, straightforward terms so clients understand their rights and options. Judges, juries and colleagues alike respect his ability to combine professionalism with a direct, compelling advocacy style.
Earning his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School, Mr. Scissors holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations, sociology and Jewish studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. He continues to build his practice on a foundation of strong advocacy, client trust and proven results.
Mr. Scissors’ courtroom talent first gained national attention in law school, where he was named “Best Oral Advocate” in the country at the National Moot Court Competition, prevailing over top students from more than 60 law schools. He also earned recognition as a team quarterfinalist, first-year competition champion, and recipient of the Pro Bono Award.
Since entering practice, Mr. Scissors has built on that foundation by handling a wide range of cases, from high-profile criminal matters to contested civil restraining order disputes. Today, he is also a frequent presenter to fellow attorneys in Oregon on the intricacies of restraining order and stalking protective order litigation.
Practice areas
Professional Liability: Defense, Family Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Domestic Violence, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Ethics & Professional Responsibility, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Probation, Sex Offenses, Slip and Fall, Theft, White Collar Crime
- 10% Professional Liability: Defense
- 30% Family Law
- 20% Criminal Defense
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2020, Oregon
Professional Webpage: https://www.scissorslaw.com/our-team
Educational Background
- B.A. University of Colorado at Boulder, 2015
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Youth and Measure 11 in Oregon – Co-Author, Worked with BOLI’s Council on Civil Rights and helped develop working group that led to creation of SB 1008
- Presentation on Stalking Protective Orders and Restraining Orders - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2025
- Presented CLE through the Oregon Multnomah Bar Association: "Defending Criminal Charges and Restraining Orders Simultaneously: Tactics and Tips.", 2022
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Client's Choice Award - Avvo, 2022
Honors
- Best Oral Advocate Overall – National Moot Court Competition, 2019
- Super Lawyers - Rising Star, 2022-2023
- Avvo - People’s Choice Award, 2021-2022
- Legal Research and Writing, Lewis and Clark Law School, 2017
- Outstanding Oral Advocate – First Year Moot Court Competition, Lewis and Clark Law School, 2017
- Pro Bono Award, Lewis and Clark Law School, 2017
- Team Quarterfinalist – National Moot Court Competition, 2019
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Ben continues to grow in his knowledge of the law and his trial practice skills. His interpersonal grace and tenacity make him a strong advocate and I am honored to acknowledge him as a practice area colleague and collaborator who models advocacy and dedication.”
“Ben Scissors impresses prosecutors, jurors, judges and clients with his presence and creative abilities each time he enters the courtroom -- despite his relatively short time in practice. He has remarkable poise and presence and an uncanny instinct for anticipating what should happen next in the case. He is a rigorous researcher and is always prepared. Look for him to take Portland's criminal defense bar by storm.”
“A superb young lawyer with superb skills and instincts, in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Certainly someone to watch in the coming years.”
“Benjamin Scissors is in his 4th year of practice as an attorney and during that brief period he has distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for our clients. We are proud to have Mr Scissors in our firm, and we have no doubt he will remain a Rising Star in our profession for many years to come.”
“Ben is a superb trial attorney with an incisive ability to either negotiate an excellent disposition of a complex criminal case, or if the prosecution will not bend, he will aggressively (and gladly) take the case to trial and 9 times out of 10, land a Not Guilty verdict - to his client's delight and the DA's bewilderment. I've seen this time and time again in his first several years of practice not only in Portland but numerous other cities in Oregon. Ben has the right stuff and will without doubt be in high demand before you know it.”
“excellent Rising Star in our profession”
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2023 - 2026
