Presiding Judge Nan Waller Discusses Racial Disparity and Procedural Justice by Stephanie Engelsman N August 8 at the Mark O
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TM Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 28, No. 4 Fall 2017 Presiding Judge Nan Waller Discusses Racial Disparity and Procedural Justice By Stephanie Engelsman n August 8 at the Mark O. Hatfield court is working hard U. S. Courthouse in Portland, Multnomah to identify and ex- OCounty Circuit Court Presiding Judge amine every point of Nan Waller gave an educational and eye-opening disparity. In This Issue presentation on the importance of implementing Judge Waller the principles of procedural justice as part of opened her discus- Racial Disparity, Procedural Justice the ongoing efforts to reduce racial disparities sion with provocative Workplace Leader in the justice system. Speaking at the Queen’s questions: Did we President’s Message Bench monthly luncheon, she called on the legal know that a black Renew Your OWLS Membership community to do our part to help. man is seven times Upcoming OWLS Events For the many people who have long been more likely to get sent working on reducing racial disparities in the jus- to prison than a white Judge Nan Waller Roberts & Deiz Award tice system, the failure to eliminate disparities is man? Unfortunately, Rep. Williamson at OWLS Event discouraging. “When I became involved in efforts that is the case according to a recent study by Judicial Appointments to reduce disparities in the juvenile system 30 the MacArthur Foundation. Where else do we Meet Judge Leslie Bottomly years ago, I assumed that with hard work and see racial disparity? Answer: with our children Adieu, Jim Yocom joint action we could tackle the inequities in in the foster care system, in youth detention New Oregon Laws our system in short order,” Judge Waller said. “I facilities, and in elementary and pre-school (yes, was naïve in my timeline because I did not fully pre-school) suspension rates. Everywhere we OWLS Book Drive understand the entrenched impact of historical look, Judge Waller said, the system is harder on GrOWLS and institutional racism throughout our commu- people of color than it is on white people, and Fundraiser and Fashion Show nities. I have come to appreciate that successfully everywhere we look, we see the effects of those addressing racial disparities will require both disparities on the justice system. personal and collective action.” For now, the Continued on page 6 Reynolds Law Firm Is Workplace Leader By Judge Darleen Ortega he OWLS Board of Directors, at the rec- about their personal experiences at the firm as ommendation of our Transformation well as how things can be improved. Problems are TCommittee, will award the 2017 Work- handled in a collaborative way that communicates place Leader Award to the Reynolds Law Firm in to the employees that they are valued, and their Corvallis. The firm will be recognized at the Fall ideas and input are received with enthusiasm. A CLE on October 27 in Portland. significant number of staff members have been The Reynolds Law Firm has organized itself in promoted through the ranks, because they have some creative ways that value the contributions been encouraged to invest in the firm and to of a diverse group of employees and prioritize demonstrate how they can contribute to the representing marginalized clients, who often firm’s success. have a hard time obtaining vigorous represen- 2. The firm aims for about 10% pro bono work, tation. Several of the firm’s practices could be which provides newer attorneys with excellent adapted to other types of law practice: practice opportunities and allows them to per- 1. The firm’s principal, Lorena Reynolds, holds form a role they value in the community. The quarterly meetings with all staff (lawyers and firm also prioritizes representing clients who non-lawyers), in which she not only gives them often have a hard time finding representation— feedback on their work but solicits their feedback Continued on page 8 OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 FALL 2017 President’s Message n Friday, nership opportunities. The tri-county le- OSeptem- gal community continues to struggle with ber 8, I had diversity in firm partnership opportunities the privilege and judicial appointments; opportunities of attending lag even further behind in other regions the investiture of Oregon. In some regions, local bar President of the Honor- associations lack any diverse leadership. Angela Franco Lucero able Ulanda And these gaps reflect national trends. Vice President, President-Elect A study released earlier this year found Amber Hollister L. Watkins to the Clacka- that while women make up 50.3 percent Secretary Hon. Allison Boomer mas County of current law school graduates, only Treasurer Angela Franco Lucero Circuit Court 35% of lawyers at law firms and 20% of Megan Burgess bench. Judge equity partners are women.1 Similarly, Historian Watkins is only the eighth African while more than 30% of law students Maya Crawford American to serve on any of Oregon’s identify as persons of color, only 15% of Board Members courts. She became the third African lawyers and 7.87% of equity partners are Jacqueline Alarcón American woman to serve, following lawyers of color.2 Maya Crawford Sara Kobak the Honorable Mercedes Deiz, who was As an ethnic minority attorney, I look Katharine Lozano appointed in 1970, and the Honorable forward to the day when our legal com- Hon. Valeri Love Adrienne Nelson, who was appointed in munity accurately mirrors the diverse Aruna Masih Jennifer Nicholls 2006. Judge Watkins is the first African perspectives and experiences of the Kathryn Olney American judge, male or female, to serve citizens and communities that we serve. Yumi O’Neil outside of Multnomah County, and she is I ask myself, when will it be that the Susan Pitchford Adele Ridenour the first person of color to serve on the advancement of women and racial or Kristin Sterling Clackamas County Circuit Court bench. ethnic minorities is not unique but the Amanda Thorpe On behalf of OWLS, I offer our congrat- norm? How long will it take before an Val Tomasi Gloria Trainor ulations, Judge Watkins. event such as Judge Watkins’s investiture Jim Yocom I was delighted to help celebrate will be but another routine instance of a Past Presidents Judge Watkins’s historic achievement woman and/or a minority ascending to Laura Craska Cooper and also pleased when Governor Brown the bench? In my lifetime, will I see the Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick Kendra Matthews subsequently announced that she would day come when women and minorities Kathleen Rastetter appoint Patricia McGuire, an African run out of firsts? I don’t know when that Megan Livermore American woman, to the Multnomah day will come, but I do know that it is Heather L. Weigler Concetta Schwesinger County Circuit Court bench. These ap- more important than ever that we come Gwyneth McAlpine pointments, however, are also strong together to do this meaningful work. The Heather Van Meter reminders that we still have much work continued diligence and dedication of Laura Caldera Taylor Kellie Johnson to do in Oregon. We see glimmers of OWLS and its specialty bar partners can Norma S. Freitas success all around us: a lawyer of color, help move us toward a more inclusive, Kate A. Wilkinson equitable, and diverse legal community. Jennifer K. De Wald an LGBTQ lawyer, or a woman named Sarah J. Crooks to the bench; law firms embracing com- OWLS was founded in the hope that it Elizabeth Schwartz pensation, promotion, and retention would be a catalyst for change in Oregon. Lori E. Deveny Debra Pilcher Velure policies that create a more inclusive OWLS and the specialty bars are working Marilyn E. Litzenberger environment; diverse colleagues named to serve the needs of Oregon’s people Teresa M. Kraemer as executive directors or general counsel by creating a more diverse and inclusive Patricia L. Heatherman Julie Levie Caron of companies or nonprofit organizations. legal community. As part of that effort, Phylis Chadwell Myles Yet, despite these successes, our journey OWLS will continue to offer programs Helle Rode is far from over. like our upcoming Fall CLE on October 27, Diana Craine Kathryn M. Ricciardelli According to recent data provided by featuring Barbara Arnwine, that focus Agnes Sowle the Oregon State Bar, there are approx- on issues of implicit and institutional Katherine H. O’Neil imately 15,011 attorneys in the state of bias and inequities in our justice system. Executive Director Oregon. Approximately 1,433, or roughly We will also provide education on salary Linda Tomassi executivedirector@ 10%, of Oregon attorneys self-identify as negotiations and pay equity, programs on oregonwomenlawyers.org a racial or ethnic minority. While we have political leadership, programs to support Editor made noticeable strides, women lawyers working parents, programs on trial advo- [email protected] and lawyers of color continue to struggle cacy and skills development, the Road to www.oregonwomenlawyers.org with issues including pay parity and part- Continued on page 3 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 FALL 2017 President’s Message continued from page 2 Please Renew Your OWLS Membership the Bench series, and much more. OWLS t’s membership renewal time! Please take the time to renew your membership will continue to take the lead on holding today. You can renew easily online at www.oregonwomenlawyers.org. Your networking events throughout the state Imembership makes it possible for OWLS to provide the excellent programming so that we can build a community that is and services that support our mission of transforming the practice of law and ready and willing to advocate for change.