TM Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 26, No. 2 Spring 2015 26 years of breaking barriers OWLS Honors Liani Reeves and Jane Paulson 1989 -2015 By Brie Bridegum n Friday, March 13, OWLS presented the Justice Betty Roberts President O Award to Jane Paulson and Kendra Matthews the Judge Mercedes Deiz Vice President, President-Elect Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick Award to Liani Reeves. The Secretary sold-out Roberts-Deiz Awards Angela Franco Lucero Dinner was held at the Nines Treasurer Hotel in Portland. The law Laura Craska Cooper firm Keating Jones Hughes Historian served as title sponsor. Amber Hollister The evening began with a Board Members cocktail reception, the room Hon. Allison Boomer decorated with large photos Hon. Frances Burge Megan Burgess of archived newspaper ar- Maya Crawford ticles about Justice Roberts Dana Forman Kristina Holm and Judge Deiz from early Susan Bradley Krant in their careers. The OWLS Katharine Lozano Foundation, OWLS’ 501(c)(3) Photo: Mike Reynolds, Dreams in Bloom Photography Banafsheh Violet Nazari Jane Paulson (left) and Liani Reeves Jennifer Nicholls sister organization, held its Hon. Julia Philbrook fundraiser this year in the Kristin Sterling form of a paddle raise toward the end of dinner pledged to continue doing good work and pro- Val Tomasi moting diversity in the state. Gloria Trainor [please see story on page 4], which was followed Hon. Youlee You by the awards program. Darlene Hooley, former U.S. Representative from the Fifth Congressional District, then in- Past Presidents Trung Tu, a partner at McEwen Gisvold, kicked Kathleen Rastetter off the awards presentation with a touching troduced Jane Paulson, recipient of the 2015 Megan Livermore introduction of Liani Reeves, the recipient of the Justice Betty Roberts Award, which recognizes an Heather L. Weigler individual who has made outstanding contribu- Concetta Schwesinger Judge Mercedes Deiz Award. This award recog- Gwyneth McAlpine nizes an individual who has made outstanding tions to promoting women in the legal profession Heather Van Meter and the community. Congresswoman Hooley, a Laura Caldera Taylor contributions to promoting minorities in the Kellie Johnson legal profession and the community. Trung spoke longtime friend and former basketball coach of Norma S. Freitas about Liani’s commitment to diversity, especially Jane’s, spoke about Jane’s tenacity and grit. She Kate A. Wilkinson credited Jane’s parents with instilling good values Jennifer K. De Wald her commitment to mentoring diverse young at- Sarah J. Crooks torneys and law students. He noted Liani’s vast in Jane and her siblings. Elizabeth Schwartz array of mentees, affectionately referred to by Jane then took the stage. She was also greeted Lori E. Deveny by a thunderous reception from the crowd. Jane Debra Pilcher Velure Liani as her “baby ducks.” Many of Liani’s baby Marilyn E. Litzenberger ducks were in attendance to support their friend gave a funny and stirring speech in which she Teresa M. Kraemer and mentor. spoke about what inspired her to practice law. Patricia L. Heatherman She spoke of the challenges that women face in Julie Levie Caron Liani then took the stage to a standing ova- Phylis Chadwell Myles tion from the crowd. She gave a poignant and the professional realm, and she acknowledged Helle Rode candid speech in which she discussed the chal- and thanked the trailblazers for women in the Diana Craine profession. Jane also credited her mother and Kathryn M. Ricciardelli lenges that she has faced as a woman and as a Agnes Sowle diverse attorney in Oregon. She acknowledged father as examples of independent thinkers com- Katherine H. O’Neil that the last few months—which saw Governor mitted to fairness and justice, and she spoke of Executive Director Kitzhaber’s resignation, her transition out of their influence on her career. Linda Tomassi, 503.841.5758 Save the date for the 24th Roberts-Deiz Awards: [email protected] her role as the governor’s counsel, and dramatic Friday, March 11, 2016. Editor: Elise Gautier changes in her personal life—have been difficult. [email protected] Liani said that despite those difficulties, she still Brie Bridegum is a litigator at Schwabe, William- www.oregonwomenlawyers.org feels a deep commitment to public service. She son & Wyatt in Portland. OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 SPRING 2015 President’s Message My mother— instead, had been at work covering for down? Do the people you work with through her those who had) stopped by our table to know you respect them? When did you words and tell us how excited the recipients had last engage in a random act of kindness? deeds—al- been to go to a game. Recently, while we were waiting for the ways made it The bystanders’ reaction, of course, judge, opposing counsel said (I’m para- clear to her reveals one of the best aspects of a ran- phrasing), “Your memo was very well- children that dom act of kindness. Whether you are written. It was wrong in every possible “being kind” the giver, the recipient, or a witness, a respect, but it was very nicely stated.” I was one of random act of kindness makes you feel thought it a lovely (and hilarious) com- the most im- good. It restores your faith in humanity. ment. It was also a good reminder that portant traits I have a good friend, Allison Clarke, kindness is almost always an option. We Kendra M. Matthews a person could who has been pursuing her own per- should take that option whenever we can. have. One of sonal kindness campaign for over 100 Based on my experience with OWLS my favorite examples of my mom in days. Every day for 365 days she intends members, I know that most of you al- action occurred when I was in my early to engage in at least one random act ready choose to be kind. I have been twenties and home for a visit. My grand- of kindness. Frequently, she reports, lucky enough to work with tremendously mother, mom, and I were out to dinner at people respond to her gesture by say- kind people during my term as OWLS’ a family-owned North Denver restaurant. ing something about how well-timed president. OWLS’ staff Linda Tomassi and Though it was hard to articulate why, the the gesture was: “You have no idea Diane Rynerson, the board, and all the place seemed abuzz. Finally, I asked the how much I needed this today.” She is volunteers I have worked with deserve waitress, “I don’t mean to be paranoid, reminded again and again that often not only my heartfelt thanks, but far more but is it possible that everyone here is the people we encounter in our daily than one act of kindness to show my ap- talking about us?” Indeed, it was. Appar- lives are fighting battles large and small preciation. I would not have survived this ently, every so often, my mom would pop that we know nothing about. A random year without them (particularly, Linda). in the front door, hand the hostess two act of kindness can alleviate pain, even if Fortunately, though my term as presi- excellent seats to that evening’s Rockies for only a moment. It is a powerful act. dent and my time on the OWLS Board of (MLB), Avalanche (NHL), or Nuggets (NBA) And whether you think of it as “mon- Directors is drawing to a close, my work game, say “Share—don’t sell,” and then key see, monkey do,” or something more with OWLS and the amazingly generous pop right back out the door. While we complicated, people tend to mirror the people who comprise it is not. I look for- had been enjoying our meal, the hostess behavior of people they encounter. Just ward to many opportunities to show my had been spreading the word that the as rude or aggressive behavior tends appreciation as we continue our efforts “ticket lady” was in the house. to beget more of the same (and bring to advance women and minorities in the My mom downplayed those acts of people down), a random act of kindness law in the years to come. Thank you all kindness: she had noticed that the com- often generates additional acts of kind- for the opportunity to serve as OWLS’ pany’s season tickets often went unused, ness (and brings people up). president. It has been an honor. so she got permission to give them away I am inspired by the role models in if they were still there when she left work my life to engage in my own—less or- on game days. It simply made sense. ganized—kindness campaign. I would However small the gesture was from her encourage you to do so too. Take a mo- perspective, the positive impact it had at ment to think about your tone as you the restaurant was great. Indeed, even are dealing with people you encounter Kendra M. Matthews people who had not used the tickets (but, at work. Are you bringing people up or President, Oregon Women Lawyers OWLS Fall CLE: October 16 ave the date for the 2015 OWLS Fall CLE, to be held on Friday, October 16, 2015, at the Hilton Hotel Pavilion Room in Portland. S The CLE will feature Brigid Schulte, award-winning journalist and author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time. Ms. Schulte, an Oregon native, wrote the book after a time- use researcher told her that she had 30 hours of leisure time per week. The CLE will also feature lawyer and coach Pat Gillette, a partner in employment law at Orrick in San Francisco.