Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 25, No. 2 Spring 2014 25 years of breaking barriers OWLS Bestows Awards at Roberts-Deiz Dinner 1989 -2014 By Rose Alappat n March 14, before an audience of over for and pursue legal careers. She is also an active 500 people, OWLS presented the Justice member of the Multnomah Bar Association’s President Betty Roberts Award to the Honorable equality and diversity committee and chair of its Kathleen J. Rastetter O Elizabeth L. Perris of the United States Bank- pipeline subcommittee. In addition to her com- Vice President, President-Elect ruptcy Court, and mittee and uni- Kendra Matthews the Judge Mercedes versity work, Lissa Secretary Deiz Award to Lissa takes time to per- Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick Kaufman, director sonally advise and Treasurer Laura Craska Cooper of Student Legal mentor aspiring Services at Portland law students, Historian Angela Franco Lucero State University leaving a personal Board Members (PSU). legacy with future Hon. Allison Boomer The festive, sold- lawyers. Hon. Frances Burge out Roberts-Deiz Next, Catherine Megan Burgess Maya Crawford Awards Dinner was S. Travis present- Dana Forman held for the third ed the Justice Bet- Amber Hollister year at the Nines ty Roberts Award Kristina Holm Susan Krant Hotel in Portland. to the Honorable Kate Lozano The evening began Elizabeth L. Perris. Banafsheh Violet Nazari with a revamped Photo by Jodee Jackson The Justice Betty Jennifer Nicholls Hon. Julia Philbrook social hour for the Lissa Kaufman (left) and Judge Elizabeth L. Perris Roberts Award Hon. Jill Tanner OWLS Foundation recognizes an indi- Val Tomasi Gloria Trainor that featured a silent auction and raffles for a vidual who has made an outstanding contribution Hon. Youlee You family fun package and tickets to a Timbers game to promoting women in the legal profession and Past Presidents and a Thorns game. After drinks, the celebration the community. While building her own distin- Megan Livermore transitioned to dinner in the main ballroom. guished, nationally recognized legal career, Judge Heather L. Weigler Concetta Schwesinger During dinner, OWLS President Kathleen Perris has mentored and guided many women Gwyneth McAlpine Rastetter thanked the dinner sponsors, including attorneys and judges by offering advice and Heather Van Meter title sponsor Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys, and identifying opportunities for professional growth. Laura Caldera Taylor Kellie Johnson recognized the distinguished judges, political Judge Perris has also taught at local law schools, Norma S. Freitas leaders, and guests in attendance. spoken at many local bar programs, participated Kate A. Wilkinson Sheeba Suhaskumar then presented the in a training program for new bankruptcy judges, Jennifer K. De Wald Sarah J. Crooks Judge Mercedes Deiz Award to Lissa Kaufman. and found many other ways to contribute to the Elizabeth Schwartz The Judge Mercedes Deiz Award recognizes an legal community. Earlier this year, she announced Lori E. Deveny individual who has made an outstanding con- her plans to retire from the bench. Debra Pilcher Velure Marilyn E. Litzenberger tribution to promoting minorities in the legal During her acceptance speech, Judge Perris Teresa M. Kraemer profession and the community. Lissa has been an described some of her early experiences in the law Patricia L. Heatherman Julie Levie Caron effective advocate for diversifying the pipeline but concluded by looking forward and focusing Phylis Chadwell Myles for legal careers. on the challenges facing new lawyers in Oregon. Helle Rode In her acceptance speech, Lissa emphasized the She urged attendees to find opportunities for Diana Craine Kathryn M. Ricciardelli importance of persistence, noting that “diversity attorneys with less than two years of experience, Agnes Sowle work is piecemeal work.” She also talked about reminding attendees that someone gave them Katherine H. O’Neil two places where she has witnessed diversity, their first job, so they should try to provide that Executive Director the juvenile justice system and PSU, and how same opportunity to someone else. Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7831 [email protected] her experiences in those environments have Save the date for the 23rd Roberts-Deiz Awards Editor: Elise Gautier influenced her career and outlook. Dinner on Friday, March 13, 2015. [email protected] Lissa organized the PSU Explore the Law pro- Rose Alappat is an associate in the business group www.oregonwomenlawyers.org gram, which helps diverse PSU students prepare at Perkins Coie in Portland. OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 SPRING 2014 President’s Message Upcoming t is hard to PLF website. We hosted a free workshop OWLS Events Ibelieve that on writing cover letters, offered OWLS it has been professional networking events in Bend Take Your Kids to Work Day Thursday, April 24, Noon a year since and Portland, and hosted free telephonic Multnomah County Courthouse I took over brown-bag CLEs on such substantive is- Presented by OWLS and the presidency sues as appellate advocacy with Ninth Multnomah County Judges of OWLS. We Circuit Judge Susan Graber and manda- have had a tory child-abuse reporting with Deschutes OWLS CLE: great year. County Circuit Court Judge Beth Bagley. Starting Your Family, Our new We adopted board policies for privacy, website was copyright, and conflict of interest. We Succeeding at Your Career Friday, May 9, 1– 4 p.m. Kathleen Rastetter completed, took steps to ensure our fiscal responsibil- Kell’s Irish Pub, Portland and we are ity, including instituting bylaw changes to $30 pre-registration; $35 at the door moving toward an electronic member- increase financial oversight, and we are ship directory. We provided financial moving to an electronic newsletter and Queen’s Bench Luncheon support for OLIO, the Oregon State Bar CLE materials to save publication costs Tuesday, May 13, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Diversity Story Wall project, and Dress for and resources. We made the necessary Sentinel Hotel, Portland Success. We participated in the Lewis & changes to our articles of incorporation (formerly the Governor Hotel) Clark Bar Prowl event to introduce law and bylaws to move to electronic voting Featuring Gail Shibley, chief of staff to students to the benefits of specialty bar to save printing and mailing costs. Portland Mayor Charlie Hales: “Lessons organizations, and we attended the OSB We continue to strengthen our re- learned from the campaign trail, in the swearing-in ceremonies to share mem- lationships with other specialty bars, Oregon legislature, and as policy advi- bership information with new lawyers. and we partnered with the Multnomah sor to the U.S. secretary of labor.” We welcomed a new chapter in South- Bar Association diversity committee to RSVP by May 7 at ern Oregon, the Joan Seitz Law Society, develop mutual ways to achieve our www.owlsqueensbench.org which is putting on great programming diversity goals. for women lawyers in Roseburg. We enjoy But there is still work to be done. As Mary Leonard Law Society knowing that OWLS chapters continue to just one example, the three-year effort to Monte Carlo Casino Night provide unique events and networking amend the Oregon Rules of Professional Friday, May 16, 6–10 p.m. opportunities around the state. Conduct against bias and discrimination Creekside Golf Club, Salem We hosted Sheryl WuDunn at our passed at the OSB House of Delegates Fall CLE in October. Ms. WuDunn, co- in November, but failed at the Oregon OWLS Presents: Lawyers Abroad author of Half the Sky, spoke about Supreme Court when opponents voiced —How to use your law degree opportunities to end the exploitation their concerns. The Supreme Court has volunteering overseas of women worldwide. Her presentation sent the rule change back to the bar for Thursday, June 5, 5–7 p.m. was followed by a panel discussion by additional consideration. Bodyfelt Mount, Portland J.R. Ujifusa, a Multnomah County deputy This organization cannot function district attorney who prosecutes sex traf- without its dedicated volunteers, who OWLS Fall CLE and ficking crimes; Lena Sinha, who counsels spend countless hours making all this 25th Anniversary Reception victims of sex trafficking at the Sexual happen. Thank you to our board of direc- Friday, September 26 Assault Resource Center; and Christo- tors for their hard work and dedication. 1–5 p.m., CLE pher Killmer, of Portland’s Immigration A very special thank-you goes to outgo- 5–7 p.m., 25th anniversary celebration Counseling Service, which provides legal ing board member Judge Jill Tanner, Embassy Suites, Portland services to immigrants. OWLS owns the who has worked tirelessly to ensure that rights to show the documentary based OWLS does great work and supports its OWLS Dress for Success on the book. members in every way possible. It has Fundraiser and Fashion Show We co-hosted a well-received salary been my pleasure and privilege to work Thursday, October 2, 5 p.m. negotiating workshop with the OWLS with all of you, and to lead OWLS this Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse Foundation, which was tweeted in real- past year. Thank you. Portland time, and we partnered with the OSB in December to present a CLE on gender OWLS Leadership Committee Presents equity in partnership compensation. Career Development We hosted a contract-lawyer CLE about and Rainmaking Dinner managing expectations and getting paid, Kathleen Rastetter Thursday, November 13 which is now available on video via the President, Oregon Women Lawyers