About
I’m Jody Stahancyk

Professional Experience
Jody Stahancyk has earned her reputation as a strong woman with a generous heart, a formidable opponent in the courtroom, and a pillar of her community. She began her legal practice in 1973 as a Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney, where she successfully prosecuted for six years. In 1979 she was appointed as the pro tem judge for the Multnomah County Juvenile Court, where she sat until 1982. After this appointment, she spent a year as an Assistant Oregon Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division. From 1983 until she began private practice in 1986, Jody was a full-time mother and wife. In 1986, Jody founded her first law firm and has continued making innovative and creative advances in the area of divorce and family law to this day. She prides herself on creative solutions to difficult problems in every area of her work. Her former law firm, Stahancyk, Kent & Hook (SKH) had grown from one office in Portland to include offices in Bend, Prineville, Eugene, and Astoria, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.
Starting in 2024 Jody has been creating new opportunities. In June 2024 Jody developed Oregon Licensed Paralegals to train and help gain licensure for individuals wanting to become Licensed Paralegals. In early 2025 she began work on her vacation and event space rental properties in Prineville, Oregon called Stahancyk House and it has been a successful venture.
Education
University of Oregon School of Law
Eugene, OR · J.D. – 1973
Institute for American University
Aix-en-Provence, France – 1968-69
Linfield College
McMinnville, OR · B.A. Political Science – 1970
Crook County High School
Prineville, OR – 1966
Professional Activities
Jody is a member of the Oregon State Bar as well as a member of multiple local bars where she has served on many committees. Jody regularly lectures at continuing legal education seminars and various Oregon colleges and law schools.
Community Involvement
Jody is currently the President of the Board of Directors at Child Centered Solutions, a non-profit organization she founded, and has previously served on the boards of Children’s Relief Nursery, the Parry Center for Children, Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Charity Ball, Lutheran Family Services (now Lutheran Community Services), and as a Trustee of Linfield College. Jody joined the Clatsop Community College (CCC) Board in 2021 to serve the local community and to follow in her father’s footsteps, Joe Stahancyk, Chairman of the board of Central Oregon Community College in the 1960’s & ‘70’s.
Jody enjoyed working with the SKH High School Intern Program, which has provided real-world work experience to hundreds of high school students over 37 years. The SKH Student Interns hone their skills in work ethic, presentation, etiquette, problem-solving, and creative business thinking. They also spearhead a variety of community projects.
From 2002 to 2012, Jody and firm were the primary sponsor for the Lincoln High School football team and fed them the team meal. From 2012 to 2016 Jody and SKH were a major sponsor of Portland State University Women’s Basketball. Currently Jody and SKH are sponsors of the Astoria High School Golf Team.
Jody has been a property owner in Gearhart, Oregon since 1989 and a full-time resident since March of 2020. She has owned a law office in Astoria, Oregon for over two decades.
Jody and her husband John Crawford attend Calvary Episcopal Church in Seaside, Oregon.
Jody was appointed to the Clatsop Community College Board of Education in September 2021. She is on the CCC Board until 2027.
Awards
- 2022 · Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
- 2021 · Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
- 2020 · Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
- 2020 · Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2019 · Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2019 · Top 50 Oregon Lawyers, Super Lawyer
- 2018 · Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2018 · Top 50 Oregon Lawyers Super Lawyers
- 2017 · Grand Marshal of Crooked River Round Up
- 2017 · Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2017 · Top 50 Oregon Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2016 · 10 Best Female Attorneys, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- 2014 – 2022 · AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Rating, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
- 2015 – 2006 · Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
- 2012 – 2008 · Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2011 · Leadership in Law Award, Daily Journal of Commerce
- 2010 · 15 Most Influential People in Portland, Willamette Week Finder
- 2008 · Orchid Award Winner, Portland Business Journal
- 2008 · MAX Award: Best Single Medium Print Advertising, American Marketing Association
- 2007 · Ultimate Rainmaker of the Year, Daily Journal of Commerce
- 2006 · Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2006 · Top 50 Oregon Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
- 2005 · Top Contributor Category, The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice
- 2003 · Alumni Service Award, Linfield College
- 2001 · White Rose Award, March of Dimes
- 2000 · Ten Years Championing for Justice, Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice
In March 2022 Jody gave an inspiring speech at the Bend Chamber of Commerce Workplace Awards Ceremony when SKH was given The Inspiring Workplace Award recognizing excellent places to work and the individual roles within, as well as shining a spotlight on inspirational leaders who strive to deliver a better experience for their colleagues. In the same month Jody gave a rousing introduction the Portland Business Journal’s Women of Influence recipient, Melissa Spain.
Learn from the best
Jody compiled extensive materials to provide helpful advice to people in the legal field. This ‘Jody Style’ material packet has become an instant classic for anyone seeking to expand his or her interpersonal, presentation, marketing, and legal (the list goes on) skill set. Peruse it here and find yourself learning information you had no idea you didn’t know.
See Jody on AM Northwest.