Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 22, No. 1 Winter 2011 22 years of breaking barriers Disability Rights Oregon Receives 1989 -2011 OWLS Workplace Leader Award n October 22, at the OWLS Fall Reception and Awards Pre- President O Concetta Schwesinger sentation, Disability Rights Vice President, Oregon was presented President-Elect with the fifth annual OWLS Heather L. Weigler Workplace Leader Award. Secretary The award recognizes legal Cashauna Hill employers who actively Treasurer promote a healthy work/life Megan Livermore balance, maintain a diverse Historian Kathleen J. Hansa Rastetter workforce, and maximize op- portunities for women and Board Members DRO attorneys (from left) Chris Shank, Neisha Saxena, Kathy Wilde, and Sally Anderson-Hansell minorities to succeed in the Julia Greenfield and Executive Director Bob Joondeph on October 22 Hon. Frances Burge workplace and advance to Megan Burgess positions of influence and leadership. differences among its employees and equips Bonnie Cafferky Carter Dana Forman With staff located in Ashland, Salem, and them to do great work. Gina Hagedorn Portland, Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is a Accepting the award on behalf of DRO, Execu- Heather Hepburn tive Director Bob Joondeph said he was especially Kendra Matthews legal employer that “walks its talk” and, while Linda Meng managing the pressure of meeting overwhelming pleased to be receiving this recognition from Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick legal needs with scarce resources, still respects Oregon Women Lawyers. He emphasized that Hon. Julia Philbrook Cassandra SkinnerLopata DRO works to protect the most vulnerable among Hon. Katherine Tennyson us. “DRO hires people with a passion, who then Shannon Terry OWLS Hosts carry the passion forward in their work,” said Heather Walloch Hon. Youlee You Joondeph. DRO is the first public interest employer to Past Presidents Successful Fall CLE receive the Workplace Leader Award. In serving Gwyneth McAlpine By Cashauna Hill Heather Van Meter mostly low-income, disabled Oregonians, DRO Laura Caldera Taylor n October 22, OWLS hosted its annual Fall investigates and addresses reports of abuse or Kellie Johnson Norma S. Freitas CLE at the Embassy Suites Hotel in down- neglect; pursues policy changes that benefit Kate A. Wilkinson town Portland. Approximately 130 OWLS many people with disabilities; and educates and Jennifer K. De Wald O Sarah J. Crooks m e m b e r s empowers individuals to advocate on their own Elizabeth Schwartz heard an behalf. DRO is also involved in significant litiga- Lori E. Deveny inspiration- tion, including class action lawsuits and wrongful Debra Pilcher Velure Marilyn E. Litzenberger al keynote death actions. Teresa M. Kraemer address by Over a period of years, DRO has worked hard Patricia L. Heatherman Patricia Ire- to listen to its lawyers and other staff, shifting Julie Levie Caron Phylis Chadwell Myles land and a from a traditional approach involving more Helle Rode panel dis- uniform expectations to a model that seeks Diana Craine cussion fea- to address each employee’s contributions and Kathryn M. Ricciardelli Agnes Sowle turing Ms. personal situation in a more nuanced way. DRO Katherine H. O’Neil Ireland and Judge Anna J. Brown (left) focuses on teamwork and avoiding hierarchy, and Executive Director Judge Anna and Patricia Ireland responds to what each staff member needs to be Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7831 J. Brown. productive. The leadership at DRO recognizes [email protected] Ms. Ireland—a lawyer, feminist activist, dedication and trusts the employees to complete AdvanceSheet Editor author, and former president of the National their work capably and effectively, regardless of Elise Gautier, 503.292.2893 [email protected] Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 www.oregonwomenlawyers.org OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 WINTER 2011 President’s Message OWLS Board Adopts I hope your specific goals, you won’t have a way Values Statement family had a to measure whether you’re making he OWLS Board of Directors has terrific holiday progress and you won’t be able to Tadopted a new values statement season! Like prioritize your choices. for the organization to compliment our many people, Be strategic. In setting goals, consider long-standing mission statement. I often reflect both the skills you already have and d u r i n g t h e the skills you will need to develop OWLS Mission Statement: To transform season on my to further your vision. Create a plan the practice of law and ensure justice life and the to obtain the additional necessary and equality by advancing women and many joys and skills. minorities in the legal profession. challenges I’ve Understand what’s truly needed to OWLS Values Statement: Oregon Women Concetta Schwesinger experienced meet your goals. For instance, if you Lawyers is committed to the advance- throughout want to be a partner in a law firm, ment of women and all minorities in the the year. This year I’ve reflected on the you may need to commit to spend- practice of law, including racial and ethnic many great role models, male and female, ing long hours developing a practice minorities and members of the LGBT com- that I’ve been lucky to have, one of which you love. munity. To achieve this goal we provide was my grandfather. One reason I’ve al- Develop a supportive personal network. and support programming that includes ways admired my grandfather, “Poppy,” is I’ve been lucky to have a supportive attention to issues of gender, race, eth- that he had a unique vision that resulted family and a lot of wonderful friends nicity, sexual orientation, and ability. We in a solid and successful career. who’ve cheered for me in the good strive to make meaningful connections Poppy began his career as a journey- times and coached and comforted me with other minority bar associations in man shipbuilder during World War II. in the challenging times. Oregon and to partner with them to He later used those skills to build homes Periodically re-evaluate your goals. As provide support for all underrepresented on a large piece of property he inher- you mature into your career and life, groups in our profession. ited overlooking the harbor in Tacoma, where you want to go may change. Washington. Under Poppy’s unique vision, Periodically reviewing where you’re acreage previously used by my great at and where you want to be will help OWLS Member grandmother to grow tulips soon became you keep on track. Ann Lininger Elected a beautiful neighborhood. Keep moving forward. As is sometimes WLS member Ann Lininger From my grandfather, I’ve learned that said, “Don’t get mad, don’t get Owas elected to the Clackamas having a vision, or a strong idea of where even, just get ahead.” We all have County Board of Commissioners, I want to go and a plan for how to get disappointments and losses. While the county’s governing body, on there, is critical. This applies to all aspects it’s important to recognize our dis- November 2 and was sworn in on of my life, including my career choices. appointments and losses, both can January 3. She has served on the Here are some suggestions, based on provide critical lessons to help us move board since January 2009. what I’ve learned about vision, planning, ourselves forward. Congratulations, Ann. and building a future: As OWLS continues to move forward Be a “good boss.” Business consultant with our vision and goals, we’d like to Seth Godin notes that people tend to include you in the discussion. Please let be “bad bosses” to themselves through us know your thoughts and what we can OWLS Members negative self-talk, procrastination, and do to better help you progress in your Receive OSB Awards poor self-development. Learn to treat profession and personally. ix OWLS members were honored yourself like a “good boss” would. Sby the Oregon State Bar at its Clearly define your long- and short-term awards dinner on December 2. Gerry goals. As attorney Jane Leslie Dalton Gaydos received the OSB Award notes in the Fall 2009 issue of The of Merit; Linda Meng received the Woman Advocate (published by the Concetta Schwesinger OSB President’s Affirmative Action American Bar Association), without President, Oregon Women Lawyers Award; Ann Fisher and Mitzi Naucler received the OSB President’s Special OWLS Members Appointed to Circuit Courts Award of Appreciation; and Albert overnor Ted Kulongoski appointed three OWLS members to circuit A. Menashe received the Edwin J. Gcourts shortly before he left office. Annette Hillman, appointed in Peterson Professionalism Award. October, has taken a seat on the Crook and Jefferson County Circuit The OSB Oregon New Lawyers Di- Court. In December, Kathryn Villa-Smith was appointed to the Mult- vision presented its Public Service nomah County Circuit Court and Eva J. Temple was appointed to the Award to Maya Crawford. Morrow and Umatilla County Circuit Court. Congratulations, all. Congratulations, all. 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 2011 The Oregon Women Lawyers Workplace Leader Award Nomination Deadline Is June 1, 2011 WLS’ mission is to transform the How can they value contributions to the strides in recruiting and retaining ethnic practice of law and ensure jus- organization that are not captured by minority lawyers and equipping them Otice and equality by advancing the usual quantification tools, such as for leadership. women and minorities in the legal profes- billable hours? In 2010, the award was presented to sion. We believe that law as traditionally Disability Rights Oregon, for focusing practiced has included barriers to the The Workplace Leader Award on teamwork, avoiding hierarchy, and advancement of women and minorities, The OWLS Workplace Leader Award responding to what each staff member and has not always been a friend to those recognizes a legal employer making in- needs to be productive.