Rachael Federico - Senior Attorney

Rachael is an experienced family law attorney who brings compassion, creativity and resolve to her practice. She graduated from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in 2013 and began her legal career as a judicial law clerk at the Oregon Court of Appeals for the Honorable Joel DeVore. During her nearly decade-long career working in family law at Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Rachael advised hundreds of clients in trial courts, appellate courts, and administrative hearings. She later served as a managing attorney, mentoring and supervising early-career lawyers in complex high-stakes advocacy. Rachael also has extensive training in trauma-informed lawyering, and in particular, working with survivors of domestic abuse, and she is committed to meeting clients where they are. She joined Kaufman Law & Associates in 2026, continuing her dedication to client-centered advocacy.

Rachael is a mom, baker, reader, Oregon Battle of the Books coach, and seasoned appellate advocate. Rachael proudly serves as a Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore in the Marion County Justice Court.

Based primarily in Marion County, Rachael takes advantage of technology to serve clients throughout the Willamette Valley.

Education

  • Juris Doctorate: Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College, 2013 (graduated with honors; certificate in public service law).

  • Master of Arts: Women’s Studies, Texas Woman’s University, 2010 (graduated with departmental honors).

  • Bachelor of Arts: English Literature, Union College, 2008 (graduated with departmental honors).

Legal Experience

  • Senior Attorney: Lissa Kaufman Law — March 2026 - Present

  • Marion County Justice Court: Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore — March 2024 - Present

  • Supervising Attorney: Legal Aid Services of Oregon — August 2021 - March 2026

  • Staff Attorney: Legal Aid Services of Oregon — January 2017 - July 2021

  • Judicial Law Clerk at the Oregon Court of Appeals: September 2013 - December 2016

Notable Appeals

  • R. M. v. McNeer, 341 Or App 425 (2025)

  • A. A. v. Cunial, 336 Or App 658 (2024)

  • McGeehan v. Cunningham, 332 Or App 519 (2024)

  • Smith v. Johnson, 326 Or App 363 (2023)

  • Garcia-Ascencio v. Gonzalez, 321 Or App 751 (2022)

  • E. H. v. Byrne, 311 Or App 415 (2021)

Memberships

  • Oregon State Bar

  • Marion County Bar Association (former President of Board of Directors)

  • Oregon Women Lawyers

  • Willamette Valley Inns of Court

  • Oregon State Bar Appellate Section Executive Committee (current Chair)