By Jill Spitznass

The name-calling usually starts after the judge has ruled in her client's favor.

"I always say that 'bitch' means the same thing as 'cunning fox,' " says divorce lawyer Jody Stahancyk with a broad smile.

When it's time to split the sheets, prominent locals turn to Stahancyk, the senior shareholder at the Portland law firm of Stahancyk, Gearing, Rackner & Kent. A 6-foot-1 redhead who exudes energy and confidence, Stahancyk (pronounced sta-han-chick) has earned a reputation for her ability to protect her wealthy clients' assets.

It's a talent that invites references to aquatic creatures: "She's a barracuda -- divorce lawyers are supposed to be," says a recently divorced father of three and satisfied customer. Or this: "Jody's not a piranha, as people have said," maintains the firm's human resources manager, Mary Hurley. "She's an artful negotiator who's unafraid of battle."

Stahancyk simply prefers to be known as a family law attorney, one whose key interest is in the welfare of the children involved in a divorce. She also brushes aside the notion that there are winners or losers in the courtroom.

"A client wins when they're getting as many of their needs met as the facts allow," she says, pausing before offering the alternative scenario: "A failure is when we can't find a solution without exposing ourselves to the embarrassing and seamy side of our lives."

It's not that Stahancyk enjoys hanging impending ex-spouses out to dry; she'd rather her clients tend to what she calls their "marital garden." "People come to divorce lawyers too late," she says. "If you can deal with things sooner, you might find that they can be repaired -- or at least divorce on better terms."

Lest this be interpreted as the softer side of Stahancyk, the 55-year-old makes her courtroom mission clear: "Law is a determination of who trumps who in competing interests," she says. "That's all law is."

High-profile beneficiaries of Stahancyk's legal acumen include car czar Scott Thomason, ex-Portland Trail Blazer Maurice Lucas and local businessman Howard Hedinger.

Comfortable closures

A native of Prineville, Stahancyk earned her bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Oregon. After stints as a district attorney and juvenile court referee in Multnomah County, Stahancyk took several years off to stay at home with her children, Seth, now 25, and Kate, 21. Stahancyk has no personal experience with divorce; she and her husband, attorney John Crawford, have been married 29 years.

Since launching her private practice in 1986, Stahancyk has built the firm to include a staff of approximately 50 people, including four shareholders, 11 attorneys, 30 support staff members and an executive chef. With satellite offices in Bend and Astoria, the firm has carved out a formidable niche in family law and estate planning services.

Inside the firm's Portland office, the emphasis is on comfort -- both physical and psychological. Rich olive-green walls, original art and fresh flowers are only a few of the elements that create a sense of being elegantly safeguarded while plotting the demise of one's marriage.

"We've worked hard to create a space that's comforting," says Stahancyk, whose private office is dotted with family photos and filled candy dishes. "For instance, there are no windows in the conference rooms, so people can't see you while you're giving depositions. You'll also notice that we have chairs, not couches, in our waiting areas, so people can feel that their personal space is protected."

More important than creature comforts, Stahancyk says, is the relationship that her firm develops with clients: "It's important to think of clients as friends. And as you do with friends, you have to be honest with them, and not hurtful, and look out for them." That corporate sentiment is echoed on the firm's Web site: "It's official, we have the most wonderful clients at Stahancyk, Gearing, Rackner & Kent. Of the many cases we have handled over the years, we have come to consider our clients as friends." The firm often hosts social events, such as picnics, for appreciative clients.

Stahancyk and client Hedinger, president of American Industries, extended their relationship into the real estate arena, purchasing a building near the Mallory Hotel last year for $5.4 million. The law firm is now located in the structure, since renamed the Athena Plaza building.

But the nature of her business isn't pretty, and Stahancyk admits to having clients who are resistant to her charms. "You can't please everyone," she shrugs. "Sometimes people have bad boundaries and want to place blame on someone else. You can't feel responsible for that." But when things go well in the courtroom, the affection between Stahancyk and her clients is palpable. "She's got a heart of gold," says one client, who goes on to note that Stahancyk "saved my ass in a lot of ways."

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