Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 22, No. 2 Spring 2011 22 years of breaking barriers OWLS Honors Judge Darleen Ortega 1989 -2011 and Secretary of State Kate Brown By Rose Alappat and the 2010 recipient of the Justice Betty Rob- President erts Award. The second auction item, a trip to Concetta Schwesinger Ashland, went to Julia Markley, also a partner Vice President, at Perkins Coie. President-Elect Heather L. Weigler During dessert, OWLS President Concetta Secretary Schwesinger thanked the dinner sponsors, in- Cashauna Hill cluding title sponsor Miller Nash, and recognized Treasurer the distinguished judges, political leaders, and Megan Livermore guests in attendance. A thoughtful slide show Historian presented views on women in the legal profession Kathleen J. Hansa Rastetter and highlighted the accomplishments of Justice Board Members Betty Roberts and Judge Mercedes Deiz. Sally Anderson-Hansell The Justice Betty Roberts Award was then Hon. Frances Burge Photo by Jodee Jackson Megan Burgess presented to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Bonnie Cafferky Carter Judge Darleen Ortega (left) and Alec Esquivel Brown. The award recognizes an individual Dana Forman Gina Hagedorn our hundred fifty people gathered on Heather Hepburn March 11 at the Governor Hotel in Port- Kendra Matthews land to celebrate the OWLS community Linda Meng F Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick and honor two people who have supported Hon. Julia Philbrook and inspired women and minorities in the legal Cassandra SkinnerLopata Hon. Katherine Tennyson profession. The Roberts-Deiz Awards Dinner Shannon Terry sold out especially quickly this year, perhaps in Heather Walloch recognition of the influence and achievements Hon. Youlee You of this year’s award recipients. Past Presidents The Justice Betty Roberts Award was presented Gwyneth McAlpine Heather Van Meter to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown; the Laura Caldera Taylor Judge Mercedes Deiz Award was presented to Or- Kellie Johnson Norma S. Freitas egon Court of Appeals Judge Darleen Ortega. Kate A. Wilkinson The evening began with the OWLS Founda- Photo by Jodee Jackson Jennifer K. De Wald tion’s annual silent auction, which was, in fact, Martha Pellegrino (left) and Kate Brown Sarah J. Crooks Elizabeth Schwartz anything but silent as OWLS members and friends Lori E. Deveny socialized over drinks and spa packages. The who has made an outstanding contribution to Debra Pilcher Velure celebration transitioned to dinner and a live promoting women in the legal profession and Marilyn E. Litzenberger Teresa M. Kraemer auction in support of the Foundation, which the community. Presenter Martha Pellegrino, Patricia L. Heatherman included spirited bidding for two auction items. director of government relations for the city of Julie Levie Caron For the first item, a spa package, the top bidder Portland, highlighted Secretary Brown’s public Phylis Chadwell Myles Helle Rode was Sarah J. Crooks, a partner at Perkins Coie activism, as well as her private kindness. Diana Craine Continued on page 4 Kathryn M. Ricciardelli Agnes Sowle Katherine H. O’Neil Executive Director Save the Date! Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7831 [email protected] OWLS’ Fall CLE takes place on October 21, 2011 AdvanceSheet Editor Elise Gautier, 503.292.2893 Keynote Speaker: Professor Anita Hill [email protected] www.oregonwomenlawyers.org OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 SPRING 2011 President’s Message Judge Wilson y y e a r Scout troop leader. By being involved, Celebrates 20 Years Mas presi- you meet people, learn to network, on the Bench dent is up, so and find meaning and motivation in this is my last your career and in your life. ultnomah County Circuit Court AdvanceSheet Mentor others. OWLS has provided many Judge Janice Wilson celebrated m e s s a g e . amazing mentors through the years, Mher 20th year on the bench What a year including our “founding mothers.” It earlier this year, a milestone on many it’s been! doesn’t really take much to mentor, levels. While talk- just a cup of coffee and a listening Judge Wilson ing a couple ear. What I love about mentoring is was appointed of years ago that successful mentoring is almost in 1991 by Gov- Concetta Schwesinger to my then- always mutual. I have had three law ernor Barbara 12-year-old school mentees, all of whom have Roberts, and daughter, I said that I might need to join given me a lot of good advice and was the first one of the committees at her junior high support through the years. When each openly gay or so I could have more of a say on school of us mentors, informally or formally, lesbian person issues. Her immediate and vehement we help train and support “the next appointed to “No, you’re not!” took me by surprise. generation” of professionals. the bench in Or- So did her explanation: “Mom, you can Have courage. Friends who have owned egon. For those Judge Janice Wilson never just be on a committee. Before several profitable businesses once not around to long, you’ll be president and running the told me that their secret to success is remember, the 1991 election season was whole thing.” This would, of course, be understanding the things that scare rife with anti-gay propaganda, leading a major embarrassment for a junior high them and then going forward regard- to a divisive ballot measure that was student. She makes a good point—look less of the fear. While I don’t think defeated with 56% of the vote. Judge where I am with OWLS today! All joking this necessarily means we should all Wilson’s appointment in this political aside, the reason I become so involved, skydive, I do think that too many of climate was indeed groundbreaking. and the reason I decided to become OWLS our personal decisions are fear-based. “It was a big deal to those of us who president, is that I strongly believe we We need to be able to take baby were young lawyers unsure of our place need more skilled, diverse leaders, both steps in the right direction, even if it’s in the legal community or what parts today and in the future. sometimes scary. of ourselves we would have to hide to Luckily, we can all learn to be better OWLS is a tremendous organization. achieve our professional goals,” said leaders, as most leadership skills are not I can’t say enough about the leadership Judge Katherine Tennyson. innate. Here are some suggestions for skills I’ve gained and the amazing col- OWLS Treasurer Megan Livermore said, becoming better leaders: leagues and friends I’ve met through “It is because of women like her that I Figure out and accept who you are OWLS. This past year as president has don’t have to hide part of my life to prac- and what makes you tick. My two been the most fun and awe-inspiring tice law and am privileged to be in a place daughters have repeatedly said that endeavor I’ve undertaken in a long time. where I can speak up for others.” they are not me and don’t intend to While I will miss being an active member Judge Wilson was honored in 1999 for follow my career path. Good for them! of our OWLS board, I know the board her tireless promotion of minorities in Each of us is motivated by different is in great shape and our hard work at the legal community as the recipient of things; I am motivated by my strong fulfilling the OWLS mission will continue. OWLS’ seventh annual Judge Mercedes desire to ensure that there are more Thank you for all of your support this Deiz Award. opportunities for my daughters than past year! OWLS admires another pioneer among there were for me. Figure out what our membership, and thanks Judge uniquely motivates you and plan your Wilson for her willingness to stand up life and career accordingly. and stand out two decades ago. She Be involved in your community. I have provided an easier path for those intent met such amazing people in my work Concetta Schwesinger on transforming the practice of law to in OWLS, as well as my work as a Girl President, Oregon Women Lawyers be more inclusive. Queen’s Bench and Women’s Law Caucus Host Mixer On March 16, Queen’s Bench and the Women’s Law Caucus at Lewis & Clark held their annual recep- tion at Lewis & Clark Law School. The guest speaker was Martha Pellegrino, director of government relations for the city of Portland. Pellegrino spoke on “How to Work a Room.” Before and after her talk, attendees had an opportunity to put her words to work and practice their networking skills. Thanks to Martha and to everyone who helped put this event together. 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 SPRING 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 on practiced has included barriers to the The Workplace Leader Award teamwork and 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.