Diversity & Inclusion




2016 OLIO Orientation Participants


See OLIO Orientation Pictures on our Facebook page.


What is OLIO?


Opportunities for Law in Oregon (OLIO) is the Oregon State Bar's recruitment and retention program for law students who can contribute to the bar's historically or currently underrepresented membership; who have experienced economic, social, or other barriers; who have a demonstrated interest in increasing access to justice; or who have personally experienced discrimination or oppression.

This diversity and inclusion program begins with an orientation that provides a diverse group of Oregon's first-year law students with the opportunity to interact with each other, and with upper division students, judges and leaders who will serve as their mentors and role models. During orientation, students meet a diverse community of supporters committed to helping them succeed. The curriculum focuses on sharpening existing skills and providing new skills to help ensure success in law school and beyond. Students receive valuable information on networking, study skills and Oregon bar exam preparation.

OLIO participants also have opportunities to reconnect throughout the year at several OLIO events, including a bowling networking event (BOWLIO), an employment retreat and a spring social.

OLIO is a fundamental tool for recruiting and retaining diverse legal talent in Oregon and increasing the diversity of the Oregon State Bar. OLIO fosters an engaged, supportive and inclusive legal community necessary to advance our legal profession and improve legal services to an increasingly diverse population, clients and customers, locally and globally.



Following are video testimonials from past OLIO students from all three Oregon law schools about the benefits of this valuable program. More student testimonials from OLIO students and supporters can be seen on the Oregon State Bar video page.





Support OLIO – Donate now using PayPal



OLIO fosters innovation and excellence by creating a diverse community of talented lawyers in Oregon. A diverse bar is necessary to remove barriers to justice, promote respect for the rule of law, improve the quality of legal services and increase access to justice. Your tax deductible donation to the Oregon Law Foundation, OLIO's fiscal sponsor, supports OLIO.




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Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (ACDI)


Duties/Responsibilities
The Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee serves as a key resource to assist the OSB in advancing diversity and inclusion in all the bar’s mission areas, programs and activities. This committee of 21 volunteer attorneys, one OSB liaison, one Board of Governor's Contact and two public members is a critical part of the Diversity & Inclusion Department.


ACDI Committee Roster


Mr. Patterson, Jonathan A    Chairperson
Ms. Rutledge, Kasia E    Secretary
Ms. Brown, Adrian Lee    Member
Mr. Davis, Bryson E    Member
Ms. Groberg, Claudia G    Member
Mr. Hernandez, Tomas     Member
Ms. Krant, Susan Bradley    Member
Ms. Low, May Y    Member
Ms. Masih, Aruna A    Member
Ms. McGlaughlin, Sarah E    Member
Ms. Montag, Andrea G.    Member
Mr. Nguyen, Toan-Hao B    Member
Ms. Patterson, Jollee Faber    Member
Ms. Reading, Julie D    Member
Reddy, SreeVamshi C    Member
Ms. Summer, Miranda     Member
Cowal, Janet T    Public Member
Range, Juanita     Public Member
Ms. Commissiong, Nicole Rachael    Advisory Member
Ms. Myles, Phylis Chadwell    Advisory Member
Ms. Petersen, Sarah M    Advisory Member
Ms. Reeves, Liani JH    BOG Contact
Ms. Gregory, Shari R    OAAP Liaison
Ms. Fryefield, Chris Bianca    NLD Liaison
Puente, Jonathan     Bar Liaison



Diversity & Inclusion Staff


Jonathan Puente
Director of Diversity & Inclusion
phone: (503) 431-6337
fax: (503) 684-1366
jpuente@osbar.org



Lucy Taylor
Diversity & Inclusion - Internal Coordinator
phone: (503) 431-6338
fax: (503) 598-6938
ltaylor@osbar.org



Sarra Yamin
Diversity & Inclusion - External Coordinator
phone: (503) 431-6335
fax: (503) 598-6999
syamin@osbar.org






Oregon Law Schools

Lewis & Clark Law School

Willamette University College of Law

University of Oregon School of Law



Thinking About Becoming an Attorney?
The following links are resources that may assist you as you begin to explore a career in the legal profession.

Council on Legal Education Opportunities

College Resource Network - Scholarship Search Engine

For People of Color – Empowering People of Color to Enter Law School and Become Attorneys

For People of Color - Guide to Law School Application Process

Tips from the American Bar Association (ABA) on Preparing for Law School

Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Dates



Oregon Law School Admissions Offices:

Lewis & Clark Law School

University of Oregon School of Law

Willamette University College of Law



Specialty Bars & Affinity Sections

OSB Disability Law

OSB Diversity Section

OSB Indian Law

Multnomah Bar Association (MBA)

Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association (OAPABA)

Oregon Chapter, National Bar Association (OCNBA)
- Please contact OCNBA President, Alysia J. Harris, for information

Oregon Chinese Lawyers Association (OCLA)

OGALLA: The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon

Oregon Filipino American Lawyers Association

Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (OHBA)

Oregon Minority Lawyers Association (OMLA)

Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS)



External Scholarship Opportunities for Law Students

Oregon Student Assistance Commission



Student Loan Resources

TheSimpleDollar.com - Student Loan Consolidation Guide



Other Diversity Resources

2011 Oregon Legislative Report on Racial Equity

Coalition of Communities of Color

Is Race Real?

Race – Are We So Different?

Race – The Power of an Illusion

Racial Disparities in Multnomah County report

Report of the Oregon Supreme Court Task Force on Racial/Ethnic Issues in the Judicial System May 1994

Portland Indian Leaders Roundtable



Job Resources

OSB Job Board