Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 20, No. 1 Winter 2009 NAWJ Conference, OWLS Fall CLE Inspiring By Heather L. Weigler ast October, OWLS welcomed members of Over 80 OWLS members attended a luncheon the National Association of Women Judges on October 17 that was planned by Lindsey H. L(NAWJ) to Portland for the NAWJ’s 30th Hughes, Friends Committee chair, and featured annual conference. keynote speaker Linda Greenhouse, a Pulitzer President Under the leadership of Hon. Ellen Rosenblum, Prize–winning reporter who covered the U.S. Laura Caldera Taylor the conference Supreme Court Vice Presidents, chair, many OWLS for T h e N e w Presidents-Elect members volun- York Times for 30 Gwyn McAlpine years. Following Heather Van Meter teered countless hours to make the luncheon, Secretary Jane Yates the NAWJ con- OWLS members Treasurer ference possible. and NAWJ mem- Concetta Schwesinger Hon. Mary J. Deits bers attended Historian and Elizabeth M. the joint OWLS/ Alice Bartelt Stephens chaired NAWJ CLE ses- Photo by Jodee Jackson Board Members the Education Left to right: Judge Julie Frantz, Linda Greenhouse, sions. In the first Nancy Cook C o m m i t t e e , session, Stanford Dana Forman and Judge Ellen Rosenblum Cynthia Fraser which planned law professor Bethany Graham a variety of CLE programs. Volunteers coordinated Pamela Karlan and Ms. Greenhouse discussed Shari Gregory by Libby Davis staffed the conference from morn- the U.S. Supreme Court under Justice Roberts, Cashauna Hill Megan Livermore ing until late night and included Hon. Jill Tanner, offering detailed observations. Julia Markley conference treasurer, and Heather L. Weigler, The OWLS Fall CLE portion of the program Linda Meng OWLS liaison. Hon. Julie Frantz chaired the social concluded with break-out sessions entitled Hon. Adrienne Nelson Leslie O’Leary events, including a reception at the OHSU Center “Resolving Disputes Out of Court—the Growing Hon. Julia Philbrook for Health and Healing that featured tram rides Role of Mediation” and “Bringing about Needed Kathleen J. Rastetter to the Women’s Health Center. Continued on page 6 Hon. Katherine Tennyson Shannon Terry Heather L. Weigler Past Presidents n essence, our firm’s decisions for which we are being honored were based on a Kellie Johnson Norma S. Freitas Ithoroughly supportable analysis, partly ethical and partly utilitarian. Kate A. Wilkinson Jennifer K. De Wald The ethical question was straightforward: is it right and good to create a workplace Sarah J. Crooks where women could thrive personally and professionally? Of course it is. All we Elizabeth Schwartz Lori E. Deveny had to do was think about the immeasurable value of working with women who Debra Pilcher Velure are great lawyers and great people, who, in addition to those attributes, bring a Marilyn E. Litzenberger different perspective and culture to work. If that isn’t enough, all we had to do was Teresa M. Kraemer Patricia L. Heatherman ask how we want our daughters to be treated. And what great value they bring to Julie Levie Caron the places they work. Phylis Chadwell Myles Helle Rode The utilitarian consideration, frankly, flowed from the ethical one. It is the right Diana Craine thing to do for the reasons above; it is also the valuable thing to do. The diversity Kathryn M. Ricciardelli Agnes Sowle mirrors the world we live in. Practices can thrive, clients can be better served, the Katherine H. O’Neil work environment can remain positive, careers are extended and don’t burn out. Executive Director Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7826 Thanks again, and thanks to all the great attorneys and staff I have the pleasure [email protected] of working with. AdvanceSheet Editor Elise Gautier, 503.292.2893 Scott McCleery, upon accepting the OWLS Workplace Leader Award [email protected] on behalf of Gartland, Nelson, McCleery, Wade & Walloch on October 17, 2008 www.oregonwomenlawyers.org
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 WINTER 2009 President’s Message OWLS Board he recent and providing food and other basic needs Tweather for their families. And I started to think Seeks Candidates events left me about all the things OWLS members do his spring, the 21-member snowed in with throughout the year to give back to the TOregon Women Lawyers Board my seven- and communities we serve. of Directors will have openings. If nine-year-old In 2008, OWLS members were the you would like to play a leadership girls for the second-largest contributors to the Cam- role in OWLS’ work transforming greater part paign for Equal Justice. OWLS members the practice of law, consider serving of two weeks. donated more than 1,500 books to the on the board of directors. Board Every morn- Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. OWLS members provide financial oversight ing they woke members helped the Multnomah Bar and strategic direction, helping to Laura Caldera Taylor up with wide- Association raise over $120,000 to keep shape the future of OWLS policies eyed wonder- CourtCare open, and helped the OWLS and programs. Each board member ment; would school/winter camps be Foundation’s endowment reach $100,000. is asked to participate actively on at canceled yet again? And each day that OWLS members provided many hours least one working committee. the answer was yes, a snow-day dance of pro bono legal services to people in As a statewide organization, broke out in the Taylor home. need. Over the holidays, OWLS members OWLS is actively seeking board That same snow also prevented the contributed to food banks and homeless members from outside the Portland delivery of many of their presents. I have shelters, sent gifts to children with cancer, metro area. Regional representa- to admit, I fretted quite a bit about how wrote cards to members of the mili- tives serve as liaisons to our chapters they would react on Christmas when tary, volunteered at Red Cross shelters, and help OWLS understand and there were only a few presents to open. walked the streets of Portland handing serve the needs of women and mi- On Christmas Eve, with great angst, I set out packages to our city’s homeless, and nority attorneys around the state. out to explain that most of their presents contributed in many other ways. The Board elections take place in April, would arrive after Christmas. To my sur- truth is, I cannot list all the great things with new members taking office prise, there were no sad faces. Instead, OWLS members did in 2008—there are in May 2009 for a three-year term. the girls were excited that they would simply too many to count. Meetings are held eight times a year get to celebrate Christmas every day for As we head into 2009, I just want to say, on Saturday mornings. as long as it took the presents to arrive. keep up the good work! Our collective If you would like to help guide I spent a lot of time over the holidays efforts make a measurable difference. OWLS through the coming years— thinking about how fortunate I was to be and form valuable connections with fretting about delivery schedules when so other attorneys around the state in many parents spent the holidays worrying Laura Caldera Taylor the process—please contact one of about foreclosures, evictions, health care, OWLS President OWLS’ co-president-elects, Gwyn McAlpine (gmcalpine@perkinscoie. Goodbye Catherine, Hello Linda com/503.727.2091) or Heather Van Meter (hvanmeter@williamskastner. WLS said goodbye in December value,” she com/503.228.7967). to Catherine Ciarlo, who served said, “both to Oas our executive director (ED) for the individu- the past two years. Catherine’s tenure als who com- “It’s a privilege to work with people do- was marked by a significant increase in prise it and ing such important work in the world,” membership, an ever-more-professional to the legal Linda says, “and I see my role as helping look for the organization, and the unveil- community as to improve the culture in which they do ing of our new website. a whole.” that work.” Catherine notes that her time at OWLS Although Linda sees many opportunities to work was tremendously rewarding, both per- Catherine will with the membership and board of direc- sonally and professionally: “It has been b e m i s s e d , tors to help fulfill OWLS’ mission. “I’m re- inspiring to work with women who are OWLS is fortu- Linda Tomassi ally looking forward to traveling around successful in their own right, and who are nate to have the state to meet members and find out also committed to helping other women Linda Tomassi, our former administrative what we can do better.” She understands advance in the profession.” In January, director, stepping into the ED role. the need to focus energy and time on Catherine joined the staff of incoming Linda began working with OWLS on a diversity issues and has started meeting Portland Mayor Sam Adams to manage contract basis about five years ago, dur- with other organizations to collaborate transportation policy for his office. She ing a staffing transition, and she quickly in this area. promises, however, to remain an OWLS fell in love with the organization. She is Linda looks forward to meeting as member and volunteer. “I leave my po- delighted to move into the role of ED many people as possible at the Roberts- sition here with a clear sense of OWLS’ and is the second nonlawyer to do so. Deiz Awards Dinner on March 13. Our mission is to transform the practice of law and ensure justice and equality by advancing women and minorities in the legal profession.
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 2 WINTER 2009 OWLS Members “Road to the Bench” Goes on the Road Win Elections By Heather Van Meter e v e r a l n October 27, OWLS led two presentation SO W L S discussions with local lawyers on to seriously m e m b e r s whether, when, and how to try consider a ju- won judicial O for a career in the judiciary. These “Road dicial career. and political to the Bench” presentations took place One person office in con- in Eugene and Grants Pass, sponsored at the Jose- tested races by Lane County Women Lawyers and phine County in Novem- Josephine County Women Lawyers. event drove ber. Lisa Greif Multnomah County Circuit Judge several hours, was elected Katherine Tennyson and OWLS Co–Vice from a nearby to serve on Sen. Suzanne Bonamici President Heather Van Meter facilitated county, just to the Jackson the discussions. The stars of the presenta- attend. Hon. Katherine Tennyson County Circuit Court, and Jenefer Grant tions were the local judges and lawyers in The speak- retained her seat on the Columbia County each location. Lane County Circuit Judg- ers discussed the importance of increasing Circuit Court. Kate Brown was elected es Debra Vogt and Charles Zennache pro- diversity in the judiciary, both to reflect Oregon’s secretary of state. Judy Shiprack vided valuable information about how the diversity within the communities won a seat on the Multnomah County judges have been selected in Lane served and to provide a full range of Commission. County. A helpful discussion about the viewpoints on the bench. In unopposed races, state Senator ups and downs of being a judge in Lane Another OWLS Road to the Bench pre- Suzanne Bonamici retained her seat in Dis- County generated interest in considering sentation will take place in Salem on Feb- trict 17, and Justice Martha Walters won a judicial career. ruary 18 at noon, sponsored by the Mary re-election to the Oregon Supreme Court. In Grants Pass, Josephine County Circuit Leonard Law Society. Join OWLS at Goudy Judges Diana Stuart and Kathie Steele Judge Lindi Baker discussed the current Commons on the Willamette University retained their seats on the Multnomah status of the judiciary in Josephine County campus for a brown-bag lunch. County Circuit Court and the Clackamas and gave excellent recommendations County Circuit Court, respectively. for pre-judiciary involvement in commu- Heather Van Meter, an attorney in the OWLS extends our warmest regards nity organizations and activities. Judge Portland office of Williams Kastner, is to all the candidates for their work to Baker encouraged all those attending the co–vice president of OWLS. increase women’s participation in the political arena. OWLS Political Leadership Lecture Series Starts Feb. 10 he OWLS Leadership Committee in- Tvites you to participate in the OWLS Political Leadership Lecture Series, six lectures in 2009 designed to encourage and equip OWLS members to take on leadership roles in politics. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with some of the best political minds in Oregon, and our hope is that some of you will run for office in 2010. The first session is Tuesday, February 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Stoel Rives LLP, 900 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 2600, in Portland. You’ll hear from Jeanne Duncan of Emily’s List, Amy Edwards of Emerge Oregon, and Rep. Mary Nolan of WINPAC. Their orga- nizations encourage and support women candidates running for elective office. If you’ve ever thought about putting your name on the ballot, join us to learn about some of the resources available to you and to start planning your campaign. Please RSVP to hlouweigler@gmail. com by February 1. This is a nonpartisan [email protected] lecture series, and members of all political Portland Seattle Spokane Coeur d’Alene National parties are welcome to attend. (503) 227-1544 (206) 622-3376 (509) 838-6000 (208) 667-1163 (800) 528-3335
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 3 WINTER 2009 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: An Inspiration for Women Lawyers By Susan Hammer h a d Many judges, bar leaders, law students, the most powerful woman lawyer and I t h e professors, and members of the bar jurist in the world. As she talked with a h o n o r and community had the opportunity to group of Willamette law students over of serv- interact with her in small meetings and breakfast, I was touched that she took ing as to hear her speak in large convocations. the time to be with them and seemed to Justice Much has been written about Justice love the interaction. Their questions were R u t h Ginsburg’s life and career. I’d like to share mostly personal: Who were your heroes/ B a d e r a personal view of this most remarkable heroines? How was law school different Gins- woman. for you than it is for us? How is being b u r g ’s Justice Ginsburg’s mother died the day on the Supreme Court different than e s c o r t before she graduated from high school. being on the court of appeals? What’s during Her mother gave her this advice: Be a lady the best part of your job? Do you miss her visit and be independent. These contrasting Justice O’Connor? at Wil- qualities give us just a hint about the Her answers, in kind, were personal. lamette complexity of this remarkable person. She Her heroines were Amelia Earhart and Univer- is tiny physically (I felt like I could have Nancy Drew. About law school experi- Photo by Frank Miller, Willamette University Photo by Frank Miller, Justice Ginsburg sity on been her bodyguard). Intellectually, she ence, she told a story about when she Septem- is a giant. She is soft spoken and kind; was a student at Harvard Law School. The ber 12 and 13. She came to Willamette nevertheless, bold and refreshingly can- dean invited the women law students to to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the did. She is encyclopedic on the law and dinner and asked them to explain why College of Law and to dedicate the new seems to be able to recall every Supreme they occupied a place that could have Oregon Civic Justice Center, home to the Court decision ever written. She is also gone to a man. Oregon Law Commission and an array of interested in opera, music, art, econom- About the difference between the court Willamette law programs. ics, work/family issues, and much more. of appeals and the Supreme Court—she At age 75, Justice Ginsburg has the As a judge, she wears a black robe, yet noted that she is more easily recognized energy to keep a demanding schedule is stylish and dresses elegantly. She can now. It’s easier to get someone to wait on that would tire a woman half her age. be very serious and very funny. her in Macy’s. Complete strangers say to She had ten events during the two days. Justice Ginsburg is recognized as her, “You look like Justice Ginsburg,” to which she replies, “People keep telling me that.” (That’s what I mean by her sense of humor.) The best part of her job, she said, was writing a dissent, then having four or five judges join in and it becom- ing the majority opinion. “That’s a real high,” she told the students. And about missing Justice O’Connor, she said, “The Court misses Justice O’Connor.” She recounted a number of 5–4 cases the year after Justice O’Connor’s retirement that would have gone the other way had she remained on the court. Shortly after her visit, I received a handwritten note from Justice Ginsburg, thanking me for being her guide and recalling the wonderful few days that she and her husband, Marty, had at Willamette. She signed it, “With appre- ciation and every good wish, Ruth and Marty.” I will cherish the card, savor the memories, and forever appreciate her contribution as a jurist, attorney, teacher, and role model.
Susan Hammer has been a member of OWLS since it was formed in 1989. She is an active mediator of business, employ- ment, professional liability, and injury cases. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Willamette University.
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 4 WINTER 2009 Judge Patricia Sullivan and Judge Richard C. Baldwin To Be Honored at Roberts-Deiz Dinner on March 13
he Honorable Patricia Sullivan, has been a driving force in the creation g a r n e r e d former OWLS board member and of the Oregon State Bar Diversity Section; tremendous TU.S. magistrate for the District he has been a leader in establishing, sup- respect and of Oregon, has been selected to receive porting, and defending the elimination- a c c o l a d e s the 2009 Justice Betty Roberts Award of-bias (now from friends, for the promotion of women in the law. the access-to- colleagues, The Honorable Richard C. Baldwin, Mult- justice) MCLE and members nomah County Circuit Court judge, will requirement; of the legal receive the Judge Mercedes Deiz Award and he has community. for promotion of minorities in the law. s e r v e d a s He is known
The award recipients will be honored the chair of as a “true Photo by Jodee Jackson at the 17th annual OWLS Roberts-Deiz the Oregon believer” of Judge Richard C. Baldwin Awards Dinner, on March 13, 2009, at Judicial De- diversity and the Governor Hotel, in“ Portland. partment Ac- equality, with a compassion and sensitiv- U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Sullivan cess to Justice ity that few embody. OWLS is pleased to is the “epitome of professionalism with for All Com- recognize Judge Baldwin’s considerable a human touch.” For 25 years, Judge mittee. His Judge Patricia Sullivan contribution to the promotion of minori- Sullivan has served as a guiding light for contributions ties in our profession and the community women in Pendleton. Whether spear- have also reached the community at at large by awarding him the 2009 Judge heading the Rebecca J. Bloom chapter large through his work with Uniting to Mercedes Deiz Award. of OWLS or founding the Pioneer Relief Understand Racism, by promoting aware- Information about tickets for the Nursery to prevent child abuse and ne- ness of the dynamics that promote and Roberts-Deiz Awards Dinner, to be held glect, Judge Sullivan has blazed a trail for perpetuate racism in our communities to March 13 in downtown Portland, can all women in eastern Oregon to follow. prevent their reoccurrence. be found at the OWLS website, www. As a wife, mother, and civil litigator, her Judge Baldwin’s humility, professional- oregonwomenlawyers.org, or by calling incredible commitment to her family is ism, and commitment to diversity have 503.595.7826. constantly juggled effortlessly with her ability to handle complex civil matters and mentor young lawyers. Judge Sullivan’s personable and down- “A client asked if to-earth manner promotes friendship I would take a and a sense of belonging to the legal community. With the utmost grace, she deposition at the routinely demonstrates her genuine McNeil Island concern for children, education, access to justice, and women in the legal pro- penitentiary. It fession and her belief that all attorneys would entail an who cross her path must maintain a high eerie 20-minute level of professionalism and ethics. For those reasons, OWLS is pleased to rec- boat ride through ognize her contributions to the women the fog, walking We offer the same services as the other top of Oregon by awarding the 2009 Justice the gauntlet past Portland reporting firms. We deliver the same Betty Roberts Award to the Honorable high quality product. The difference is our Patricia Sullivan. a line of inmates, personal commitment to superior service. Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge and spending the Richard C. Baldwin has long been an ac- It wasn’t the most comfortable situation for any tive and outspoken champion of diversity day next to a guy of us, but our client was impressed, of course. in Oregon. He has dedicated his career who had murdered to educating others on the dynamics of his wife with a racism in the legal culture and remains If you want service, call Teach. 503.248.1003 committed to eliminating patterns and baseball bat. To It’s all about service. practices that perpetuate racism in the me the answer legal community and elsewhere. Judge Baldwin is a supporter of the Oregon was easy. State Bar Affirmative Action Program and of Opportunities for Law in Oregon “Of course.” 1500 SW First Avenue, Portland, OR 97201 (OLIO), an orientation program for minor- —Catherine Teach 503.248.1003 or 800.230.3302 ity law students in Oregon. Judge Baldwin
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 5 WINTER 2009
“Of course.”
—Catherine Teach NAWJ Conference, OWLS Fall CLE continued from page 1 Lane County Women board member Kathleen Rastetter, the Lawyers Presents CLE roundtable provided an opportunity for local attorneys and leaders of the national By Karrie McIntyre legal community to share ideas and per- ane County Women Lawyers (LCWL) spectives about transforming the practice Land the Eugene-based CPA firm of law for women and minorities. Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co. co-hosted On October 17, following the Fall CLE, a half-day CLE on November 21 at the NAWJ and OWLS members went to the University of Oregon (UO) School of Law Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse for in Eugene. Attendees garnered four hours a chic and green reception planned by of mandatory CLE requirements on access Judge Ann Aiken, honorary conference At the conference: Judge Ann Aiken (left) to justice and child abuse reporting. co-chair, and hosted by the Oregon fed- and Justice Martha Walters The afternoon began with a catered eral judges. The reception began on the lunch, which attendees enjoyed while 16th floor, where guests enjoyed stunning listening to UO law professor Caroline views of Mt. Hood and locally sourced Forell’s presentation on the link between food and wine, and concluded in the jury animal abuse and domestic violence. room with dessert and the presentation of Professor Forell provided practical tips the third annual OWLS Workplace Leader for better accommodating the needs of Award. The award went to Eugene law domestic violence victims. firm Gartland, Nelson, McCleery, Wade Following raffle drawings for wine, din- & Walloch and was accepted by partner Left to right: Judges Eve Miller, Kathleen ner, and gift certificates, Raquel Hecht, a Dailey, and Marilyn Litzenberger Scott McCleery. Thanks to Judge Aiken Eugene attorney specializing in immigra- and her clerk, Jolie Russo, OWLS had an tion law, discussed U.S. immigration law, opportunity to demonstrate a concrete offering insights on dealing with some example of its efforts to promote change often-forgotten members of our commu- in the legal profession. nities, people who are not citizens. Although the gift bags included um- After a break, Valeri Love, of the Eu- brellas to shield the judges from inevi- gene law firm Gleaves, Swearingen, Potter table October showers, the stars aligned & Scott, led the class in a brainstorming to showcase some of the best of what session on how to best serve the groups Oregon and its legal community have in our culture who seem to have the least to offer. From the beautiful October access to justice. The attendees benefited
Photos by Jodee Jackson weather to the joint sessions with OWLS, from helpful reminders about serving Judge Ellen Rosenblum, conference chair the conference was a resounding suc- groups such as children, elders, people (left), and Heather Weigler, OWLS liaison cess. NAWJ Chief Operating Officer Jeff with developmental or physical dis- Changes in Law Firms.” OWLS member Groton remarked, “The conference was a abilities, and those with racial or cultural Hon. Darleen Ortega was a panelist in the huge success, and it could not have been characteristics different from our own. latter session, and OWLS members on the done without the outstanding efforts The afternoon ended with Lane County mediation panel were Jeffrey Batchelor, of the wonderful OWLS volunteers.” Circuit Judge Debra Vogt, who spoke Hon. Susan Leeson, and the moderator, OWLS thanks NAWJ for the opportunity to the group about child abuse report- Hon. Mary J. Deits. to participate in the conference, as well ing. Judge Vogt focused on how to best The Multnomah Bar Association and as all the local judges and attorneys who prevent abuse and therefore reduce our OWLS co-hosted a roundtable discussion volunteered their time and effort. need to report it. Her fresh perspective for attorneys the following morning to Heather L. Weigler, an OWLS board mem- on a mandatory requirement left the at- encourage more conversation about best ber, is an assistant attorney general with tendees with useful information for our law firm practices. Organized by OWLS the Oregon Department of Justice. professional and personal lives. Over 40 people attended the CLE, some Call me for a 30-minute, traveling from as far away as Medford no charge consultation . . . and Bend. Lane County Women Lawyers about how I may team hopes in the coming years to provide with you to enhance this interactive CLE for attorneys all over your bottom line and the state. Many thanks to the OWLS and reduce your anxiety. LCWL members who prepared, presented, IN OUT Heidi O. Strauch and attended the event. LCWL donated Professional Contract Attorney 25% of the proceeds to the UO Child and Family Law Association for its assistance in P.O. Box 30235 Do you have piles of files? making the event a success. Some of the Portland, OR 97294 proceeds were also donated to a Women- 503.201.7642 space family for the holiday season. [email protected] Karrie McIntyre is a partner with Parrish and McIntyre in Eugene.
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 6 WINTER 2009 Where You Bank Matters Judge Jean Maurer at Nov. LEG-Up By Elise Bouneff By Sara Staggs f you’re an attorney, then where you udge Jean Maurer is the first female I n h e r bank matters. Thanks to the Oregon I presiding judge in Multnomah spare time, Law Foundation’s (OLF’s) Interest on JCounty. She talked about her jour- Judge Mau- Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, ney from law student to judge at OWLS’ rer teaches law firms and banks have been coming November 13 LEG-Up, hosted by Tonkon as an adjunct together since 1989 to generate funds Torp in Portland. professor at that support legal aid, legal education Judge Maurer graduated from Santa Lewis & Clark for the public, and other activities to im- Clara Law School in 1974. As a student, Law School. In prove the quality of justice. This funding she considered a career as a law librari- the past, she resource continues to enhance the qual- an—because she loved books, libraries, has served as ity of life for thousands of Oregonians. and the law. After graduation, however, a a high school As chair of OLF’s Revenue Enhancement friend told her of an opening at the DA’s m o c k t r i a l Judge Jean Maurer Committee, I’m privileged to be part of office in Salem, and thus Judge Maurer coach, both this very successful partnership between began her legal career in the Marion at her children’s school in Lake Oswego the legal and financial communities. County District Attorney’s Office. and at Jefferson High School in Portland. Here’s how the IOLTA program works: She later moved to the Multnomah She has been a member of the Solomon Client funds that are too small in amount County DA’s office and worked there until Inns of Court for 14 years, which she or held for too short a time to earn inter- the birth of her son, at which point she especially enjoys because it allows her est for the client, net of bank charges took the allotted six weeks’ maternity to meet attorneys that she may never or administrative fees, are placed in a leave. At the end of the six weeks, she de- otherwise have met. pooled interest-bearing trust account. cided to extend her maternity leave and Judge Maurer’s husband (the other Participating financial institutions remit left the DA’s office. She began to work Judge Maurer) is the presiding judge in the interest from these accounts at least part-time at a private law firm, and she Clackamas County. “It really makes us quarterly to OLF. Interest earned on IOLTA worked part-time for eight years, until sound more interesting than we are,” she accounts supplies services to those who both of her children were in school. She said with a laugh. Continuing the Maurer ordinarily wouldn’t have access to legal then returned to the Multnomah County legal tradition are their two children: services and education. DA’s office, where she worked until 1996. their son works in the Rochester, New The program has three goals: provide Then she was appointed to the bench. York, DA’s office, and their daughter is a funding for legal aid groups, promote di- When asked for advice on how to build first-year law student at Lewis & Clark. versity in the legal sector, and educate the and keep a good reputation in the legal “As many advances as we have made as public about the law. Since its inception, community, Judge Maurer said, “Treat women in the legal profession, the one OLF has distributed more than $20 million other people well. Be committed to your area we haven’t mastered is balance,” in IOLTA dollars to worthy organizations work, and turn out a finished end product cautioned Judge Maurer. “If you aren’t that empower the most vulnerable in our that is a good product.” She reminded us personally fulfilled, you won’t stay in the society, build strong communities, and of something that is sometimes forgot- profession.” If you find yourself out of ensure that there is justice for all. In 2007, ten in the practice of law: you can be a balance, she said, take a step back and try the board approved over $2 million in strong advocate, but you should work to to find it. “I am living proof that one can grants to 13 special projects around the be calm and dispassionate in your writings take a slightly unusual path and achieve state. Recipients ranged from the Associa- and communications. “Never overstate your goals.” tion of Oregon Legal Services Programs something,” Judge Maurer advised. “Never OWLS thanks Judge Maurer for sharing to the Classroom Law Project. A complete personalize your work. It’s never about her insights and experiences, and Tonkon list of recipients and a description of their you—it’s always the case.” Torp for hosting the event. work is available on the OLF website, www.oregonlawfoundation.org. Sara Staggs is an associate at Wiles Law Group in Portland. Financial institutions are critical to the IOLTA program’s success. The amount of can be found on the OLF website. “It is more important than ever to funding generated each year depends on The FDIC insurance coverage on IOLTA keep your IOLTA account at a bank that several factors, including interest rates funds was recently expanded as part of pays a high rate of interest,” says Judith and bank-imposed service fees. Law the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Baker, OLF’s executive director. “If your firms can help OLF by establishing IOLTA Program. Under this program, noninter- firm’s bank is not a Leadership Bank, ask accounts at banks that are committed to est bearing transaction accounts have the bank to consider raising its interest maximizing the rate of return. unlimited FDIC deposit insurance. The rates on IOLTA accounts. If your firm’s How do you know which bank will FDIC amended the definition of “non- bank is a Leadership Bank, thank them. maximize the return on IOLTA funds? OLF interest bearing transaction accounts” The message of the Oregon Law Founda- has identified banks that make a com- to include IOLTA funds, so IOLTA funds tion is that where you bank really does mitment to pay a higher interest rate on are now fully FDIC insured with no limit matter.” these accounts; called Leadership Banks, through December 31, 2009. For details, Elise Bouneff is a vice president and they are organized into three levels— visit www.fdic.gov and see the FDIC’s final professional banking officer at Bank of visionary, advocacy, and supporting. A list rule regarding the Temporary Liquidity the Cascades, which has been named a of the banks, showing relevant details, Guarantee Program, 29 CFR 370. Visionary Leadership Bank by OLF.
OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 7 WINTER 2009 A Call for Women Leaders THE JUDGES’ FORUM of minority experience—because we still know what it is like to be misunderstood ur culture is in some ways very and underrepresented—women often confused in its view of women. have ears to hear the experiences of OOn the one hand, more women people who have trouble getting a hear- are highly educated and more are visibly ing. We can identify with the experiences successful in business and the professions of underrepresented people, at least to than ever before. I spend a lot of time the extent of knowing what it is like to mentoring high school girls and young By The Honorable Darleen Ortega be overlooked and misunderstood. women in law school and entering the le- Oregon Court of Appeals For example, I know that sometimes gal profession, and my anecdotal sense is when I have communicated things to my that many women, by the time they enter struggle to find a way to be understood male colleagues in the way that comes a profession, aren’t conscious of having or to be seen as successful and worthy of most naturally to me, they look at me as faced barriers to their success. They expect respect. Legal employers may be happy though I’ve just said something that calls to be judged on their merit and to have to recruit us—but once we arrive, they my sanity into question. I then must make pretty much the same chances of success want us to be like men. I don’t mean the effort to communicate things in a that men do. And men expect that to that is a conscious thought—I just mean way that they can hear, but that feels to happen for women as well. they aren’t prepared to address the es- me like speaking in a foreign language. However, women are not so well- sentially cultural differences that often I don’t do it as easily, and don’t always represented in positions of leadership. make succeeding in the legal profession feel like I’ve expressed exactly what I want Women leave the legal profession in particularly challenging for women. It to say. Because I’ve had that experience much higher numbers than men do, and is generally up to us to identify those (pretty often, in fact), when I read a make up only a relatively small percentage differences and to find ways of navigat- legal brief or hear an argument from a of law firm partners and judges. Many ing them. litigant that sounds crazy, I know to step women continue to experience real dis- Yet, because nearly everyone agrees as back and question whether the speaker crimination in the workplace and struggle a matter of principle that women should is really crazy or just trying to express to come up with productive responses that have access to all the opportunities that something that doesn’t come across well will not hurt them in the long run. men do, it is perhaps harder than ever to in the language the speaker is forced to Even more women—perhaps most shed light on the special challenges that use. My experience as a woman in this of us—experience subtle moments in women continue to face. Most people culture is part of what teaches me to ask which our experience or our way of see- (particularly those who benefit the most those questions. ing things is discounted, and we must from the status quo) are invested in be- There’s another way in which our “mi- lieving that the world operates as a true nority-like” experience as women gives meritocracy, and that everyone gets ex- us something important to contribute as actly what he or she deserves. Otherwise, leaders. Because we have benefited less ,.,' & !&&+ their own achievements would be called from the way things are now, we are Nfejbujpo!Tfswjdft into question. So, if you are struggling, it often in a better position to see what is must be something you are doing. broken and needs fixing. I’ve seen that Women are not a statistical minority— happen time and again—it is so often the but we have a minority experience when women and ethnic minorities who have it comes to setting the terms of public the inclination to ask questions that no conversation about so many things, be- one has yet thought to ask, not because cause those terms are set by people in we are inherently more perceptive and power, and too often that is not us. I am insightful, but because we are not so not arguing that women are inherently invested in things being done the way better than men or deserve power more. they have always been done. My point is that women, who make up The urgency of our need for woman half the population, regularly do not leaders in positions of influence is some- have a voice in making the laws, setting thing I think about virtually every day. So the policy, and influencing the debates my first goal in this column is to dispel that shape everyone’s lives. any lingering misgivings you may have -