Melissa F. Busley

Melissa F. Busley is a partner at Dunn Carney in Portland, Oregon, whose practice focuses on estate planning and administration, tax, and nonprofit matters. Busley works with individuals and couples to develop estate plans tailored to their circumstances, including wills, powers of attorney, healthcare documents, and trusts. She also assists families with probate and trust administration after a death and advises tax-exempt organizations on operational matters, tax compliance, formation, and recognition of exempt status.

Busley earned an LL.M. through the Graduate Program in Taxation at the University of Washington School of Law in 2004 and a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2003. She received a B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Washington State University in 2000. Her legal and tax education supports her work on estate planning, transfer tax issues, trust administration, and nonprofit compliance.

Busley has handled a range of estate planning and post-mortem matters involving complex financial and tax considerations. Her representative experience includes seeking reformation of trusts to prevent unintended tax consequences, preparing estate plans involving closely held business interests and substantial charitable gifts, and assisting with probate and related trust administration involving retirement plan assets. She helps clients organize these matters into practical steps while addressing tax, ownership, and beneficiary issues that may affect an estate or trust.

Melissa F. Busley also serves as leader of Dunn Carney’s Estate Planning and Administration Team and participates in the firm’s inclusion, diversity, equity, and awareness efforts. Her practice combines estate planning, tax knowledge, and administration experience to help clients prepare for incapacity, transfer assets, administer estates, and address nonprofit legal needs. She provides clear guidance and plans tailored to each client’s goals and circumstances.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Dunn Carney LLP
• Member, Oregon Women Lawyers
• Member, Multnomah Bar Association

Licensed State

• Oregon
• Washington

Education

• University of Washington School of Law
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• University of Oregon School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Washington State University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)