Candidates for Governor Respond to OWLS Questionnaire
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Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 21, No. 4 Fall 2010 Candidates for Governor Respond to OWLS Quest ionnaire By Heather L. Weigler fter the May 2010 primary, OWLS’ Judicial working with foundations that provide educa- President Work Group sent a questionnaire to the tional opportunities for students. He noted that Concetta Schwesinger major-party candidates for governor, social pressures and artificial barriers are present Vice President, A Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris in society and expressed a commitment to work President-Elect Heather L. Weigler Dudley. The candidates were asked questions together to overcome those barriers, including by making his administration and appointments Secretary regarding diversity and judicial appointments, Cashauna Hill and they were told that their answers would be representative of Oregonians and reflect the Treasurer published in the Fall issue of the AdvanceSheet. issues Oregonians face. To read the letter in its Megan Livermore Minor-party candidates were sent the same entirety, visit www.oregonwomenlawyers.org. Historian questionnaire after the filing deadline. Their Dr. Kitzhaber’s answers are reprinted here in Kathleen J. Hansa Rastetter responses will be made available on the OWLS their entirety. Board Members website. What experiences have you had with Oregon’s Sally Anderson-Hansell Mr. Dudley did not submit answers to the ques- Hon. Frances Burge minority communities that will allow you to Megan Burgess tions posed by OWLS. He did send a letter sum- represent their interests as governor? Bonnie Cafferky Carter marizing his life experiences that have provided Throughout my years in the legislature and as Dana Forman him the opportunities to work with people from Gina Hagedorn governor, I have maintained a good relationship Heather Hepburn different backgrounds and who hold a variety of with minority communities in Oregon, signing Kendra Matthews perspectives, including playing in the NBA and Continued on page 4 Linda Meng Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick Hon. Julia Philbrook Cassandra SkinnerLopata OWLS Political Leadership Series: Media Training 101 Hon. Katherine Tennyson Shannon Terry By Sarah M. Villanueva Jane Yates Hon. Youlee You n July 13, the OWLS Lead- Past Presidents ership Committee spon- Gwyneth McAlpine Heather Van Meter Osored “Media Training Laura Caldera Taylor 101,” part of the OWLS Political Kellie Johnson Norma S. Freitas Leadership Series. This program Kate A. Wilkinson was designed to answer the ques- Jennifer K. De Wald tion “How do you get press when Sarah J. Crooks Elizabeth Schwartz you want it, and how do you deal Lori E. Deveny with press when you don’t?” Debra Pilcher Velure Hosted by Perkins Coie in Port- Marilyn E. Litzenberger Teresa M. Kraemer land and organized by OWLS Vice Patricia L. Heatherman President Heather Weigler, the Julie Levie Caron event featured panelists Anna Phylis Chadwell Myles Helle Rode Richter Taylor, press secretary for Diana Craine Governor Ted Kulongoski; Kath- Left to right: Kathryn Firestone, Anna Richter Taylor, Steve Novick Kathryn M. Ricciardelli ryn Firestone, executive director Agnes Sowle Katherine H. O’Neil of Emerge Oregon; and Steve Novick, former US the subject you’re interested in and introduce Executive Director Senate candidate and former communications yourself.” Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7831 director for Citizens for Oregon’s Future. [Steve Kathryn agreed. “Become a source of infor- [email protected] has since gone to work for the Oregon Health mation for them. Send out press releases, and AdvanceSheet Editor Authority.] even if no one comes, you will get to be known Elise Gautier, 503.292.2893 “It is all about relationship building,” ex- as a resource. You can’t just put something out [email protected] plained Anna. “Figure out which reporters cover Continued on page 11 www.oregonwomenlawyers.org OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 FALL 2010 President’s Message OWLS Members in Contested Races My 14-year- Bar Association report* concludes that members will become more comfortable n this fall’s election, four OWLS members are running old daughter women and minorities aren’t often promoting themselves. in contested races. We featured two on page 6 of the recently asked selected or mentored for leadership Learn to be a strong leader. Many ISpring 2010 AdvanceSheet: Ann Lininger, running for m e w h a t I roles, and when they are, the roles are leadership skills are not innate, but you Clackamas County commissioner, and Sandy Webb, running thought was defined in such a way that most women can learn to be a strong leader. Become for state representative for District 26, which includes parts the most im- and minorities aren’t interested in as- actively involved at a higher leadership of Clackamas and Washington Counties. Two other OWLS portant skill suming them, at least for the long term. level with a club, political cause, or non- members are also running in contested races. a woman can In sum, women and minorities still can’t profit board of directors. Carefully assess Melanie Mansell is running for a seat on the Polk County have. I told consistently make or directly influence which opportunities will help you further Circuit Court. A deputy district attorney in Polk County since her moxie. By key decisions in our society. your goals. Evaluate the moxie of other Suji Patel (left) and Helle Rode at the 2009, Melanie was in private practice for 20 years, special- moxie, I mean Frankly, we could all use a little more women and minorities whom you admire, Clackamas Women Lawyers picnic izing in family law, adoptions, and appellate advocacy, and on August 15 in Lake Oswego Concetta Schwesinger the core un- moxie. and duplicate their efforts. she has also served as a court-appointed criminal defense Melanie Mansell derstanding How do women and minorities become Consider your career options. Think attorney. As a judge, she wants “to be open to trying new of what we each want and the energy, key decision makers? Maybe it’s time for about a judgeship or a political position. Roberts, Deiz Award approaches to break the cycle of foster care and juvenile delinquency.” courage, and know-how to best achieve each of us to seriously consider what we Consider opening your own firm. If you Melanie graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in business those goals. are looking for in the long run. Once work in a firm, seriously assess whether Nominations Due administration and from Willamette University College of Law. She lives on a farm Presenters at the recent meeting of likely obstacles are defined, we can de- the firm truly fits your long-term career Nov. 17 in Sheridan with her husband and raises hay and horses. the National Conference of Women’s termine how to overcome them. goals. Joyce Segers is a Democrat running for Congress in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional Bar Associations (NCWBA) noted that Here are a few suggestions for building There are other ways to build your WLS invites nominations for the 18th District against the incumbent, Republican Greg Walden. Joyce moved to Oregon while women and minorities have made more moxie: moxie, of course. The good news is that Oannual Justice Betty Roberts and last year after running a small business for 19 years “helping thousands of people advances in the legal profession, there’s Develop a personal strategy. As execu- we are not alone in our trek to develop Judge Mercedes Deiz Awards. The awards navigate the maze of medical insurance.” She is creating a new life here and wants still a lack of both in key leadership po- tive coach and OWLS member Amy Green more moxie. You are a valued OWLS recognize and celebrate the accomplish- to help Oregonians. Joyce says she is not a career politician and believes that all sitions within our firms, companies, and advises, each of us needs to clearly define member. How can OWLS help you become ments of individuals in promoting women Oregonians want the same basic things regardless of party affiliation, things such governmental offices. Although we’ve what career outcome we want and what a stronger attorney and person? and minorities in the legal profession and as “jobs that pay a living wage,” good schools, accessible health care, healthy food, made progress in diversifying the lower the obstacles to that goal will likely be. community in Oregon. The recipients and “a brighter future for our children.” Born in New York City, Joyce has a bach- ranks of these offices, diversity “remains Know your strengths and share them will be honored at the annual awards elor’s degree in sociology from the City College of New York, and a master’s in work thin” in the higher ranks of law firm with others. All of us have unique abili- dinner on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the communications from the University of Central Florida. For more information on the candidates, visit their websites: Ann Lininger, www. managing and equity partners, general ties, but how will anyone else get to know Concetta Schwesinger Governor Hotel in Portland. annlininger.com; Melanie Mansell, www.mansellforjudge.com; Joyce Segers, http:// counsels, state and federal appellate our strengths if we don’t speak up? The President, Oregon Women Lawyers The Justice Betty Roberts Award rec- judges, and tenured law professors. OWLS board recently instituted a “one ognizes an individual who has made an joycesegers.com; and Sandy Webb, www.electsandywebb.com. Consistent with the conclusions drawn important thing I’ve done” discussion *Diversity in the Legal Profession: The Next outstanding contribution to promoting at the NCWBA meeting, an American at every board meeting so our board Steps. The report is discussed on page 7. women in the legal profession and in the community.