Layla Kailani Maka’ui McLean

As part of the Estate Planning Group, Shareholder and attorney Layla Kailani Maka’ui McLean focuses on estate planning and administration for taxable and non-taxable estates, business succession planning, gift tax planning, charitable planning, special needs planning, guardianships, conservatorships, business law, and real estate transactions. Layla has also worked with clients to establish 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organizations.

When it comes to estate planning, Layla brings a collaborative approach towards the personal and financial goals of her clients, guiding them through this often-complex road. Layla prides herself on delivering highly customized estate plans for her clients, tax planning, and finding strategies to accomplish her client’s goals of passing not only family wealth, but family values too. Her knowledge on a range of business and real estate matters provide her clients with asset protection strategies to secure the financial future for them and their loved ones.

Layla has been selected as a “Rising Star” by Oregon Super Lawyers magazine and Thomson Reuters, which is an award given to no more than 2.5% of lawyers in Oregon selected through independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Prior to joining Buckley Law, Layla worked for The Consul Group and at Douglas, Conroyd, Gibb & Pacheco, PC. where she focused on business contracts, commercial real estate transactions, private placement memorandum, aviation and commercial business leases, elder law, trusts and estate planning and administration.

Layla actively participates in the Association of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association, is a member of the Oregon Women Lawyers Association Mary Leonard Chapter, the Multnomah County Bar Association, and is a huge supporter of Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp, personally, and as a member of the Board of Directors. She is also a mentor to incoming first year law students at Willamette Law, and is involved in the AVID and Imprint Programs, both of which focus on mentoring high school students from disadvantaged schools and low income and minority households. Layla is also a founding member of Ideal Business Transition Solutions, a group of professional advisors that assists businesses with business succession and transitions.

Born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii, Layla eventually moved to Oregon where she graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Global Marketing. She also obtained a Post-Baccalaureate in Business Advertising before earning her law degree and dispute resolution certificates in mediation and arbitration from Willamette University College of Law. Layla also attended the East China University College of Politics and Law in Shanghai, China where she lived for a summer while studying Chinese business law.

In her free time, Layla enjoys traveling abroad and back home to Hawaii, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family, friends, and nieces and nephews.