Meet our legal team

Sonya Fischer has extensive experience as an advocate for vulnerable populations. Her activism stems from parenting a child with severe developmental disabilities. The institutional barriers she experienced as a young mother inspired her to speak up and create change for others.

A member of the Oregon State Bar since 2003, and selected as an Oregon Super Lawyers 2009, 2010 and 2011 - present “Rising Star,” Sonya brings compassion and first-hand legislative knowledge to the practice of law. She combines her legal expertise with her understanding of education and service delivery systems to create successful strategies for her clients. Sonya understands her clients' struggles and utilizes a collaborative approach while building a solid record to preserve her clients' rights.

Sonya began her advocacy efforts while attending Warner Pacific College where she organized parents of children with disabilities to secure important early intervention services. She was soon hired by Multnomah County, where she assisted the families of children with disabilities in accessing services and facilitated the planning and delivery of services for early childhood education, domestic violence and homeless youth.

In 1991, while completing her master's degree in Public Administration at Portland State University, Sonya began working as an intern for the late senator Frank Roberts, where she spearheaded new disability parking permit legislation. Sonya worked in Salem for 13 years.

While working with the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, Sonya helped create a system of in-home supports for children with severe disabilities and facilitated the passage of legislation making it possible for children with disabilities to continue attending the same school when living temporarily outside their parents' home. As legislative staff to Senator Frank Shields, Sonya developed a package of early childhood legislation that resulted in a statewide childcare provider training program that incorporated the importance of healthy brain development for young children. Sonya has served as the Director for State and Legislative Federal Affairs for the Oregon Department of Human Services and as a Clackamas County Commissioner from 2016-2022 where she focused on ways to make county government work effectively and respectfully, both internally and in its relationships with citizens and the 15 cities and unincorporated areas that make up Clackamas County. Sonya also chaired the National Association of Counties, Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee, where she worked on all matters pertaining to children's issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post secondary education.

Sonya graduated from the Lewis & Clark Law School, where she was recognized for her leadership and contributions as both a Joyce Ann Harpole Scholar and a member of the Cornelius Honor Society. The Harpole award is a peer-nominated award given each year to a law student and a practicing lawyer who are notable for balancing a fulfilling life with the study or practice of law. Sonya was also recognized for winning the mock trial competition. While in law school, Sonya spearheaded a pro bono program for law students to assist families with their childrens' special education planning.

Sonya is a past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, and current member of the Board of Governors, where she previously co-chaired the Family Law Section. She is past President of the Clackamas Women Lawyers. She is past Secretary of the Clackamas County Bar Association and chaired the Policy Committee for FACT: Family and Community Together. She served as a delegate for the Oregon State Bar. She is also involved with Oregon Women Lawyers, and The Arc of Multnomah County. Sonya supports Disability Rights Oregon effort to educate policymakers with a focus on housing needs of vulnerable populations. She is a member of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce and has previously served on the Governmental Affairs Committee. Sonya is married to Kirk Mouser and has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors
• Disability Rights Oregon, Board Member
• Clackamas Women Lawyers
• Multnomah Bar Association
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
• Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals
• Oregon Academy Family Law Practitioners
• Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Grandparents' Third Party Rights
• Dissolution of Domestic Partnership
• Modification of Spousal/Child Support
• Juvenile Law
• Special Education
• Guardianships
• Simple Wills
• Government Relations

Samantha brings almost two decades of experience practicing law in Oregon and is the rare native, third generation Oregonian.  She grew up in Clackamas County and still lives here.  Samantha is passionate about helping clients understand their legal situation, what their options are, and working with people to determine the best strategy to resolve their unique legal issue in a way that is right for them.   Her practice focuses on all areas of domestic relations law, whether you need a lawyer in the courtroom or at the mediation table.  She handles complex financial cases and difficult custody situations, as well as prenuptial agreements, restraining and stalking orders, and modification of support issues.

Samantha started her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Clackamas County, and practiced in civil litigation before focusing on domestic relations.  She received her JD at University of Oregon and her MBA from the University of Utah.  Her undergraduate degree is from Whitman College as a biochemistry major, and she graduated high school from Oregon Episcopal School (OES).

Outside the law, Samantha is active in civic engagements.  She is active on the Alumni Council for OES, and is a past president of the Clackamas County Bar Association.  She does pro bono representation of children in domestic relations cases.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys being outdoors.  Whether it is running, downhill skiing, or working outside in the yard, she loves everything Oregon has to offer.  Her standard poodle, Quinn, likes being out as much as she does and is a regular companion on their adventures.

In 2006 Dan met a person described as a lawyer, bar owner and member of a rock and roll band. That discussion led to 17 years of working with Alan Karpinski as his primary paralegal, office manager and team leader. During that time Dan worked directly for the Karpinski firm in their Family Law, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency, and Personal Injury practices. Additionally, he spent many of those years as the lead liaison coordinating the work of the Multnomah Juvenile Defense Consortium with the Multnomah County Juvenile Court and the Oregon Office of Public Defense Services. After Mr. Karpinski’s retirement Dan was fortunate to find an opportunity working with the excellent attorneys and staff at Fischer Family Law. After nearly two decades in a range of practice areas, Dan is excited to be focused on Domestic Relations and working with this great team to help families in turmoil find the solutions they seek. A ripple in still water when there is no pebble tossed.

Jennifer stumbled into law when a friend’s family law firm needed a new receptionist. Fourteen years later, she is a family law paralegal and cannot imagine it any other way. A graduate of the University of Oregon Journalism School, Jennifer loves writing and editing. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking with her teenage daughter, hiking with her husband, reading, and listening to podcasts.

Claire started her legal career after graduating from WSU in 2020. She began as a receptionist at a small firm, and with a passion for law and helping others, was able to work her way up as a paralegal. She is now pursuing a legal career, and is currently studying law at Lewis and Clark. Claire is dedicated to each individual that walks through the door and hopes to bring a calm and assuring presence to every person we assist.

Jack has been a  domestic relations attorney with experience in mediation and litigation in areas of divorce and child custody since 2013. Although a native of Detroit, Michigan, he has called Oregon his home since 2010 when he moved out west for law school at Willamette University. 

Jack finds inspiration in his career and the legal profession’s ability to make a meaningful impact on an individual level. 

"The law is not just a job for me, but rather a vocation. My purpose in pursuing family law is to serve the greater good as a community caretaker."

Valuing his client relationships above all else, Jack does everything in his power to find optimal solutions for their issues. Clients quickly perceive that he genuinely cares about them and are confident about his sound advice.

"My clients are trusting me with their lives. They can depend on me not only to have the skills needed to navigate their cases successfully, but the compassion to guide them to a well-reasoned resolution."

Jack represents clients in all areas of family law and is a strong advocate in the courtroom. Although he continuously seeks alternative means to resolve disputes, he begins preparing for trial on day one and is immediately ready if litigation is ultimately required.

Committed to the betterment of society, Jack volunteers with several non-profit organizations involving law, education, music, and human rights. Currently Jack serves on the Board of Directors for Thimbleberry Farm— a nonprofit organic and regenerative farm, located in Clackamas County focused on bringing healthy food to the most vulnerable in the community. He also volunteers as a child advocate in the Multnomah County Children’s Representation project.

Prior to entering the career of law, he worked as an educator and even has farming experience harvesting cherries in Western Michigan orchards. Jack’s interests include yoga, performing music with his friends and playing adult league ice hockey.

He lives in the Portland Metro area with his wife Molly and their son Gordon. 

Brianna is a skilled Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Fischer Family Law PC, where she brings a unique blend of compassion and tenacity to family law. With a sharp analytical mind and a genuine desire to support clients through some of life’s toughest challenges, she plays a vital role in our legal team.

Outside the office, Brianna is an avid outdoor enthusiast who finds solace in nature. Whether scaling a mountain or trekking through the woods with her beloved dog and partner, she embraces every adventure as an opportunity to recharge and reflect. This connection to the outdoors inspires her work ethic and determination.

Brianna holds a degree in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Oregon and is continuously enhancing her expertise in family law.

Terra Burns has been a Paralegal since 2011 after receiving her ABA certified AAS in Paralegal studies and began primarily working in family law in 2012.  In her spare time, Terra enjoys landscape photography, cooking, baking, road trips, and adventuring with her son, Aeyden and their dog, Ryder.