April 2021 Lawyers associated for justice, service, professionalism, Multnomah education and leadership for our members and our community April 2021 Volume 67, Number 4 Est. 1906 L aw y er Seeking Liberation: mba CLE Due to the COVID-19 situation, A Collective Vision for Equity for All the MBA will be offering all by Valerie Colas seminars ONLINE ONLY. To MBA President register for a CLE seminar, please see p. 3 or visit As a legal profession, we color do not always feel safe to go to law enforcement or they have www.mbabar.org and log in understand that words matter, other barriers, such as language barriers, that prevent them from as a member to register at the and that they have real doing so. Furthermore, our justice system If we truly are in member rate. consequences. The decision of has not always protected the rights of elected leaders and government victims of color, and this issue continues this together, officials to personify the threat today. The massacre of 34 Chinese miners then we must APRIL of COVID-19 with expressions such as “Chinese virus” and “Wuhan in the 1880s with no one being held also believe that 4.9 Friday virus” has resulted in the rise of hateful rhetoric and assaults against accountable is one horrific example.1 one community Multnomah County Presiding the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Oregon Moreover, there was once a time in which member’s suffering Court Update and across the country. Since the Stop AAPI Hate tracker was our justice system barred people of color is the suffering of Presiding Judge Stephen K. launched more than a year ago, there have been more than 3,000 from testifying; Chinese, Blacks, Native Bushong incidents of hate crimes against AAPI community members; AAPI Americans, and other people of color us all. community members have been coughed at and spat on, verbally lacked the civil right to testify in court 4.16 Friday harassed, barred from establishments, and physically assaulted. In in many states and territories even in cases in which they might be Workplace Re-Opening Portland, Asian American community members have experienced and COVID-19 physical attacks while using public transportation and many Asian- 1 In 1995, a county clerk opened an old safe in the Wallowa County Courthouse and Heather Van Meter owned businesses along 82nd Avenue and in the Jade District have found hidden documents relating to the massacre. During the time of the trial, there Dani Dupuis reported incidents of vandalism in recent months. More recently, in was little attention from the press. March, two men pushed and kicked an Asian American student at Continued on page 2 4.27 Tuesday Willamette University while the two men allegedly made derogatory Wearing Two Hats: Lawyers statements. On top of experiencing the devastating impacts of as Board Directors COVID-19, AAPI community members must worry now about their Heather L. Weigler physical safety. Rosalie Westenskow This surge of anti-Asian hate is part of a long legacy that intensifies whenever people are panicked about disease or economic SAVE THE Date! turmoil. Chinese immigrants have long been scapegoats for disease. In the early 1900s, officials blamed Asian residents for bringing MAY the bubonic plague outbreak to San Francisco and quarantined 5.12 Wednesday San Francisco’s Chinatown. In Oregon, from 1870-1885, there was MBA 115th Annual Meeting, The Guts of Estate Litigation: an expansion of anti-Chinese sentiment. Mobs drove out Chinese The Practical and Procedural immigrants from Oregon City, Mount Tabor, and Albina in the Awards Recognition and Aspects of a Will Contest 1880s. In 1887, a small group of white men massacred at least 34 Farewell to the Courthouse Jessie Minger Chinese miners in Wallowa County; the three white men charged were subsequently acquitted in 1888. These This surge of anti- long lists of atrocities helped usher in Wednesday, May 19 Asian hate is part Chinese exclusion laws. Likewise, Japanese 5-6:30 p.m. Americans have suffered and experienced of a long legacy In This Issue acts of violence, exclusion, and harassment, that intensifies Remote attendance via Zoom Calendar .......................................... 2 especially during and after World War II. whenever people CLE .................................................. 3 It is important for us to understand this are panicked Announcements ............................... 6 history of anti-Asian hate to be able to Celebrating the profession and recognizing Ethics Focus ..................................... 6 about disease or MBA Bar Fellows ............................... 7 combat and address it today. our colleagues and the old downtown economic turmoil. Around the Bar ................................. 8 We also must understand the important Courthouse. Pro Bono Thanks .............................. 9 role that we play in witnessing and stopping hate. As Dr. Martin News From the Courthouse ..............10 Luther King, Jr. stated, “In the end we will remember not the words Tips From the Bench ........................10 of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” We cannot remain Professionalism Award Profile: Hon. Kathleen Dailey ........... 11 Rima I. Ghandour Profile: Hon. Jerry Hodson ................ 11 silent as AAPI community members are attacked. We must be part YLS .................................................12 of creating a safer community by addressing words, jokes, slights, The Corner Office .............................15 and comments that have ignited those racist and violent acts. It is MBA Diversity Awards Classifieds ......................................16 not sufficient to say that this is a law enforcement issue or that we Parna A. Mehrbani need more law enforcement on the streets. As we know in this time Multnomah Bar Association of racial reckoning, Black, Indigenous, and other communities of MBA Awards of Merit 620 SW 5th Ave Steve Doty Suite 1220 Portland, Oregon 97204 Mackenzie Hogan 503.222.3275 Multnomah BAR Association MBA staff www.mbabar.org PRSRT STD 620 SW FIFTH AVE., SUITE 1220 YLS Awards of Merit U.S. POSTAGE PORtland, OREGon 97204 Hansary Laforest PAID Meredith McMurray PORTLAND, OR Veronica R. Rodriguez PERMIT NO. 00082 YLS Rookie of the Year All First-Year YLS Committee Members Pro Bono Awards John C. Clarke Samuel C. Justice Laura R. Zaro Register at www.mbabar.org Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Kathy at the MBA at 503.222.3275. 1 Multnomah Lawyer MBA Board of Get Involved in the MBA Directors Consider Volunteering for an Calendar President Valerie Colas MBA or YLS Committee APRIL MAY Treasurer To volunteer for a committee, legal community, and create Caroline Harris Crowne 12-16 Donation Drive to 3-21 MBF Fundraising please see the insert in this issue or and strengthen a relationship of Benefit Transition Projects Campaign Secretary and President-Elect visit www.mbabar.org/volunteer mutual support between the MBA Jovita T. Wang Details on p. 12 and diverse bar organizations. 19 Wednesday Past President Rewards of Volunteering The committee also administers 21 Wednesday MBA Annual Meeting Sarah Radcliffe Meeting new people and the Diversity Award screening OMLA and the OSB Details on p. 1 expanding perspectives are two and selection process. President’s Virtual Luncheon Directors of the reasons members cite for 25 Tuesday YLS President serving on committees. When Events: Plan social, networking, 22 Thursday MBA Professionalism Panel Brad Krupicka you join a committee, you and fundraising events, MBA Solo & Small Firm Details on p. 8 become part of a team of your including the annual golf Jacqueline L. Alarcón Workshop: Virtual Offices/ colleagues. As you contribute to tournament to benefit the Returning to the Office 31 Monday Nellie Q. Barnard the work of the committee, you Campaign for Equal Justice. Details on p. 9 Memorial Day - MBA Office David I. Bean also learn from other members. Closed Paul S. Bovarnick Together, our volunteers provide Judicial Screening: Review Ben Cox valuable service to the legal applications of pro tem and Timothy J. Resch community. Most committees judicial appointment candidates meet for one hour once a confidentially, and report John Robb Solo/Small Firm: Focus on YLS Pro Bono: Provide month from September through recommendations as called for by programs and services that are leadership and professional Seth H. Row May. Meetings have continued the MBA Board-approved process. of value to small firms and solo development opportunities Gloria J. Trainor virtually during the pandemic. practitioners. for young lawyers in pro bono Theresa L. Wright Professionalism: Promote work. Administer the local MBA Committee Descriptions principles of professionalism YLS Committee Descriptions Wills for Heroes Foundation within the legal profession, Executive Director CLE: Plan, conduct and evaluate YLS CLE: Organize 27+ MCLE- clinic, providing estate planning Guy Walden through the Corner Office 40 CLE seminars, focusing on accredited seminars, with services to first responders. article, Professionalism Director, Events & Programs members’ primary areas of practice. content intended specifically Statement, Mentor Program YLS Service to the Public: Kathy Modie for newer attorneys. Provide and professionalism training Court Liaison: Foster additional professional and Provide programs to engage Office & Foundation programs. The committee also constructive dialogue with the career development seminars for young lawyers in community Administrator administers