University of Oregon law professor and president emeritus Dave Frohnmayer recently was named to the executive committee for The Lincoln Project, an initiative of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. The project, which was announced earlier this year, is a public education advocacy effort that examines and assesses the current challenges facing higher education, including cutbacks in government support, competition from for-profit education providers and foreign universities, and emerging technological changes. Frohnmayer’s three-year appointment began in October.
Portland business attorney Darcy M. Norville, partner with Tonkon Torp, has been elected to the board of directors of the Oregon Business Association. Norville’s practice includes general business and corporate law, with particular emphasis on executive compensation, ERISA and employee benefits. She works with clients on issues involving tax-qualified and non-qualified benefit plans, equity based plans, health and welfare plans, and fringe benefit plans.
Lane Powell shareholder A. Jeffery Bird was recently elected vice president (Portland) of the Seattle-based Northwest chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. In his new role as as vice president, Bird will help lead the Northwest chapter in its mission to provide educational opportunities that build good corporate governance and leadership in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho. Bird has been a board member of the NACD’s Northwest chapter for several years and also serves as chairman of the NACD Northwest chapter Portland advisory board.
In recognition of more than 16 years of volunteering his time and counsel to the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Brent Bullock has been honored with the organization’s 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award. Bullock has been an active OEN volunteer since the mid 1990s. He served on its board of directors from 1997 to 2004 and was board chair in 2003. He has chaired or otherwise served on many committees, including the Venture Northwest and Angel Oregon events, the board leadership and development committee, and the sponsorship and development committees. Bullock has also served as a member of OEN’s advisory board.
The Oregon Trial Lawyers Association has elected Portland workers’ compensation attorney Martin Alvey of Alvey Law Group for the 2013-2014 membership year. New officers are: president-elect Shelley Russell of Crispin Employment Lawyers, Portland; secretary-treasurer Neil Jackson of Neil Jackson & Partners, Portland; and parliamentarian Tina Stupasky of Jensen, Elmore & Stupasky, Eugene. Immediate past president is Hala Gores, Portland. New board members include: Ronn Elzingaand Jodie Phillips. Returning board members include: Dick Adams, Kelly Andersen, Robert Beatty-Walters, Paul Bovarnick, Kathryn Clarke, Diego Conde, Beth Creighton, Tom D’Amore, Sonya Fischer, Michael Greene, Neil Jackson, Derek Johnson, Lara Johnson, Myah Kehoe, Rob Kline, John McVea, Craig Nichols, Charese Rohny, Scott Shorr, David Sugerman, Tim Williams, Michael Wise andGreg Zeuthen.
The University of Oregon School of Law have awarded the 2013 Frohnmayer Award for Public Service to Oregon Supreme Court Justice Martha Walters and longtime Legal Aid Attorney John VanLandingham at a reception and award presentation Friday, Nov. 8, in Portland. The Frohnmayer award recognizes a graduate, faculty member or friend whose public service brings honor to the school. Walters earned her law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, where she graduated Order of the Coif in 1977. Prior to joining the Oregon Supreme Court, Walters was a lawyer in private practice. Walters co-founded the Eugene law firm, Walters, Romm & Chanti, and practiced employment, civil rights and municipal law there until her appointment to the bench in 2006. VanLandingham is one of the longest serving lawyers for Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center. He earned his undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute and his J.D. from Oregon Law in 1977. VanLandingham is the recipient of the 2011 Lane County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award. He has chaired and served on the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission, the Eugene Planning Commission and the Housing Policy Board for Lane County and the cities of Eugene and Springfield. He is active with the Oregon Housing Alliance, the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, as well as Looking Glass (non-profit serving at-risk youth) and many other nonprofits and public committees.
Wally Van Valkenburg, managing partner in the Portland office of Stoel Rives, has been elected to the board of directors for the Oregon Business Association. Members serve three-year terms and work with OBA policy committees and task forces to shape the organization’s agenda. Van Valkenburg practices in the firm’s technology and intellectual property group, where he focuses on transactions and business counseling. He served as the chair of the Oregon Business Development Commission from 2003 to 2013 and currently serves on the boards of the Oregon Business Council and Greater Portland Inc.
The Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association has honored immigration attorney Philip James Smith as the recipient of the 2013 Gerald H. Robinson Excellence in Advocacy Award. This award is given annually to an Oregon AILA member in recognition of advocacy and excellence in the practice of immigration law. The award was presented a special program and reception Nov. 6.
The Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association in October honored Tilman Hasche as this year’s recipient of the Gerald H. Robinson Excellence in Immigration Advocacy Award, recognizing him for excellence in advocacy or litigation on behalf of the Oregon immigrant population. Hasche is a shareholder at Parker, Butte & Lane in Portland. His practice focuses on family immigration, deportation/removal litigation, asylum and complex admissibility issues.
Jeffrey S. Tarr is the recipient of the 2013 Mentor of the Year Award given by the New Tax Lawyer Committee of the OSB Taxation Section. Tarr has given time and energy to improve the Taxation Section, not only as a mentor, but also as a member of the executive committee and as an editor of the newsletter. Tarr is a partner at Sussman Shank in Portland, where his practice concentrates on complex business, real estate and tax matters.
Gov. John A. Kitzhaber recently appointed Lane Powell shareholder Walter W. McMonies to serve a four-year term as the multifamily stakeholder member on the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission, which is dedicated to promoting earthquake awareness and preparedness through education, research and legislation. McMonies has experience representing apartment owners, is an owner of several historic apartment buildings and is a member of the Historic Preservation League of Oregon’s 2012 Seismic Roundtable.
The American Academy of Arts & Sciences has named University of Oregon law professor and president emeritus Dave Frohnmayer to its board of directors. Frohnmayer was appointed president of the University of Oregon in July 1994. He retired from the post in June 2009. He formerly served as the law school dean from 1992 until he was named president. He has also served as Oregon’s attorney general, member of the Oregon House of Representatives and as a law professor and legal counsel to the university president.
Lane Powell shareholder Parna A. Mehrbani was recently elected chair of the trade names subcommittee for the International Trademark Association, a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to the support and advancement of trademarks and related intellectual property as elements of fair and effective commerce. Mehrbani has been an active member of the committee since 2009.
Tonkon Torp attorney Shaun E. Jillions has been elected to the board of the Commercial Association of Brokers of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Jillions is a member of the firm’s government relations and public policy practice group, which represents corporations, municipalities, trade and professional associations, non-profit organizations and higher education institutions. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, Jillions was vice president of public policy for the Oregon Association of Realtors. He continues to represent that organization.
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt shareholder James F. Dulcich was recently elected president of Waverley Country Club. He is the third Schwabe attorney to serve in this position in the club’s 117-year history; his term as president will run through September of next year. An experienced real estate attorney, Dulcich focuses his practice on commercial leasing transactions, acquisitions and dispositions and real estate financing.
Carol Bernick, partner-in-charge at Davis Wright Tremaine in Portland, has been honored as a recipient of the Litigation Counsel of America’s inaugural Peter Perlman Service Awards. The award recognizes LCA Fellows and others within the legal profession who have contributed in meaningful ways to society by giving their time and resources in an effort to improve the lives of others.
Emil R. Berg, a member of the Oregon and Idaho bars who practices in both states from his office in Boise, recently presented a CLE program on “Owner Liability and Insurance Coverage For Permissive Use of Motor Vehicles Under Idaho Law” at the October meeting of the Idaho State Bar’s Litigation Section.
Joshua Marquis, Clatsop County district attorney since 1994, has accepted the invitation of the Humane Society of the United States, the world’s largest animal advocacy group, to join its National Law Enforcement Council. Marquis just finished a four-year term on the ABA’s Criminal Justice Council and in 2013 authored chapters in two recent ABA books — a chapter on “Wrongful Convictions” in the 2013 State of Criminal Justice in America and a chapter on the prosecutor’s perspective in the book Media Coverage In Criminal Justice Cases. Marquis also represents Oregon on the board of directors of the National District Attorneys Association, where he co-chairs their Media Committee and serves as representative to the International Association of Prosecutors, which recently met in Providence, R.I.
Bill Larkins of Larkins Vacura recently joined the board of Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, a volunteer service that focuses on the values of community, spirituality, simple living and social and ecological justice. His practice is primarily in business litigation, representing banks, owners of closely held businesses and individuals in state and federal courts.
Cody Hoesly of Larkins Vacura has been elected chair of the board of directors at Artists Repertory Theatre, which after more than three decades has become Portland’s longest-running professional theater company. Hoesly focuses his practice on appeals and the litigation of commercial, financial and property cases.
Joseph D. Mueller of Larkins Vacura is a founding member of SMART’s (Start Making A Reader Today) associate board, a group of emerging professionals raising friends and funds for SMART. Mueller also sits on the development committee of SMART’s governing board. At Larkins Vacura, his practice focuses on complex commercial litigation for individuals and businesses, covering a diverse range of subjects and issues.
Lissa K. Kaufman has been appointed to the Multnomah Bar Association board of directors, replacing director Steve Shropshire, who resigned to take a post with his firm in Bend. Kaufman is the director of Portland State University Student Legal Services, where she handles a wide range of legal matters, including criminal, family, landlord/tenant, consumer, bankruptcy, civil rights and administrative law issues.
Chrys Martin, partner in the Portland office of Davis Wright Tremaine, has been elected president of the Riverside Golf and Country Club.
Miller Nash business attorney Carla Kelleyhas been elected to the Urban League of Portland’s board of directors. Kelley brings a wealth of knowledge from having previously served on community boards, including the Morrison Center, Portland Center Stage and the City Club of Portland. The Urban League of Portland is a non-profit, community-based organization that empowers African Americans and other Oregonians to achieve equality in education, employment and economic security. Kelley is a member of the firm’s business group, where she works with clients on government and regulatory issues.
Holly Somers, formally presiding administrative law judge for the Workers’ Compensation Board, was recently appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate as board chair. As chair, Holly serves as the administrator of the agency. She also serves as one of the board’s five full-time members.
Debra A. Jenks of Ciklin, Lubitz, Martens & O’Connell in West Palm Beach, Fla., participated as a speaker for the defense in a three-part securities law session presented by the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association on October, entitled “A Comparative Discussion of Pre-Hearing Legal Issues, Strategies, and Preparation Before the Hearing — Exploring Critical Differences Between New York, Florida, California and Texas.”
Robert W. Good announces that Sarah C. Vaile has joined Robert W. Good Attorney LLC as an associate. Sarah’s practice will focus on family law, estate planning and small business matters. Vaile can be reached at 823 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520; phone: (541) 482-3763; email: sarahv@ 97520.net.
Jeffrey P. Kapp has been named of counsel in the Portland office of Radler, White, Parks & Alexander. Kapp joined the firm April 2013 and received his reciprocal admission to the Oregon State Bar in September. He is also licensed in North Carolina and Massachusetts. Prior to joining the firm, Kapp was a partner with Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson of Charlotte, N.C., where he was a member of the firm’s real estate and bankruptcy/creditors’ rights practice groups.
K. Joseph (Joe) Trudeau has opened Trudeau Law Offices in Junction City. The firm replaces Cooney & Trudeau, a law firm Trudeau organized in 2003. Trudeau has practiced law in Lane County for more than 20 years. The new firm emphasizes the areas of real estate and property, wills and trusts, probate, business advice and documents, civil litigation and family law. Reach him at at 180 West Sixth Ave., Junction City, OR 97448; phone: (541) 998-2378.
Horenstein Law Group announces the appointment of real estate expert D. Jean Shaw. She will support buyers, sellers, investors, lenders, developers and governments. Shaw previously handled real estate transactions for Knowledge Universe Education, was a partner in Horenstein & Duggan law firm and was general counsel at First Independent Bank. The alumnus of Gonzaga University School of Law and the University of Washington is admitted to both the Washington and Oregon state bars.
Steven M. Zipper and John J. Christiansonhave joined Gevurtz Menashe in Portland. Both will handle estate planning, trust and probate administration in Oregon and Washington. Zipper brings 17 years of experience in estate planning law. As a shareholder in the firm’s estate planning practice, he will manage the practice and guide Oregon and Washington clients through all aspects of their planning needs. Christianson received his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. He was recognized as a “20 Under 40 Rising Business Star” by the EugeneRegister Guard in 2009.
James B. Fisher has joined Landye Bennett Blumstein in the firm’s Portland office as an associate attorney. Fisher will focus his practice on aviation law. Fisher received his bachelor of science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. Among other things, the firm represents families of victims of aircraft and helicopter crashes. Fisher, a licensed commercial pilot and a flight instructor, is chair-elect of the OSB Aviation Law Section.
Gov. John Kitzhaber has appointed Michael A. Greenlick to fill the vacancy on the Multnomah County Circuit Court bench created by the appointment of Michael McShane to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Thus, Greenlick has closed his private practice of the last 18 years as a criminal defense lawyer in state and federal courts.
Haley A. Bury has joined Martin Bischoff as an associate. Bury received her bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. Prior to joining the firm, Bury worked as a judicial clerk at the Lane County Circuit Court for the Hon. Debra K. Vogt.
Jordan Ramis has added attorneys Lawrence “Larry” Evans and Krista Evans to the firm. Larry Evans, who joins the firm as a shareholder, specializes in meeting the needs of small to medium-sized business. Evans has more than 35 years of experience working with clients in a number of areas, including business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial real estate. He received his J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School. Krista Evans joins the firm as an associate. She has experience on a range of business issues, including corporate compliance, employment agreements, business financing, contract review and drafting, mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, intellectual property and strategic alliances. She also has experience in a number of real estate matters in the areas of commercial leasing, easements, purchases, sales and real estate financing. She received her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School with a certificate in general business law.
Dylan M. Cernitz has been named a shareholder of Gevurtz Menashe. Cernitz received J.D. from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark in 2001. He has been with the firm since 2007. His practice focuses on a broad range of family law issues, including divorce, custody and parenting time, child support, complex property division and high-asset divorce. He is a board member for the Oregon Association of Family Law Practitioners and a member of the Oregon Farm Bureau.
Nathan Sykes has been promoted to deputy metro attorney for the Metro regional government. Along with his new duties as the deputy, Sykes continues to provide labor and employment advice to Metro as well as represent its venues, including the Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center. Sykes graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1995 and has been practicing law in the Portland area since 1997.
Laysan Unger has joined Dunn Carney as a litigator. Her practice will focus on environmental, agricultural and insurance coverage litigation. As a member of a fifth-generation cattle ranching family, Unger brings knowledge and experience to the firm’s environmental and agricultural and natural resources practices. She was a law clerk at Dunn Carney from 2011 to 2013.
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt announces the addition of a new shareholder, Elizabeth Howard, to the firm’s Portland office. Howard focuses her practice on water, endangered species, natural resources, environmental and administrative law. Howard has substantial experience in cases involving federal and state agency decisions. She has an affinity to the agricultural and timber community, with whom she has worked throughout her career.
Adam Shelton has joined Arnold Law’s family law practice team in Eugene as an associate attorney. Shelton brings experience working on complex family law matters from his time working with Stahancyk, Kent & Hook in Portland, as well as experience in the juvenile law field. He will be assisting clients in divorce, custody, domestic partnership, step-parent adoption, restraining order and juvenile matters. Read his bio at www.ArnoldLawFirm.com.
The University of Oregon School of Law welcomes back alumnus Will Glasson as the associate director of external relations. Glasson, an active entrepreneur and 2006 graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, has worked for medium to large firms and closely held and public companies, filling various counsel, management and operations roles. Glasson’s practice focused on assisting technology, athletic, outdoors and hospitality businesses with complex transactional, intellectual property and privacy and data security matters. Glasson will be based in Portland, where he will focus on employer outreach, career-related counseling for students and alumni, admissions, development and alumni affairs
William Crow of Schwabe Williamson Wyatt has joined the mediation and arbitration panel at ADR Support Services. Crow has done both plaintiff and defense work and has been active in mediation and arbitration for more than 30 years. Crow specializes in antitrust, securities, CERCA, medical malpractice, product liability, employment and a variety of other commercial litigation matters. Read his complete profile at www.adrsupport services.com.
Veronica Digman-McNassarhas opened a private practice based in Woodburn, focusing on immigration cases. Before becoming an attorney, she worked for the Oregon Law Center, Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Marion County Children and Families Commission. After graduating from the Willamette University College of Law, she was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 2012.
Damien R. Hall has joined Ball Janik in the Portland office as an associate practicing with the land use and real estate groups. Hall has worked for several years representing both property owners and local governments, helping them navigate Oregon’s unique land-use requirements and political sensitivities to controlled growth and land development. He regularly assists clients with land-use matters, real estate transactions, natural resources law, municipal law, and formation and organization of business entities.
Brett Applegate has joined Harrang Long Gary Rudnick as a litigation associate in the Portland office. Applegate earned her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School and an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Arizona. Before graduating from law school, she was a summer associate and served as a law clerk with the Oregon Department of Justice’s trial division,where she assisted in litigation of Section 1983, federal habeas corpus and state post-conviction cases.
Two new associates have joined Tonkon Torp. Rachel Kiyoko Atchison, a 2013 graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School, is an associate in the firm’s business department. She served as a summer associate at the firm for two consecutive years while a law student. At Lewis & Clark, she earned a dean’s scholarship and the OSB Securities Section Scholarship and was voted outstanding associate editor of the Environmental Law Review. Jeff Bradford has joined the firm’s litigation department. A 2013 graduate of University of Michigan Law School, he served as a summer associate at Tonkon Torp in 2012 and was a student law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland in the summer of 2011. As an extern at the University of Michigan Health System Legal Office, he prepared liability analyses of potential implications of federal regulations.
Garrett Hemann Robertson announces that James M. Healy and Sonal R. Stringerhave joined the firm. Healy earned his J.D. from Willamette University College of Law and clerked with the Department of Justice and an Albany law firm before joining the firm. He joins the firm’s litigation team as an associate, where his practice will focus on civil litigation, employment and labor law, tort and professional negligence defense. Stringer joins the firm as an associate attorney after relocating to Oregon from New York. She received her J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law. She worked as an AmeriCorps attorney in Rochester, N.Y., after graduating from law school in 2000 and then moved to the Monroe County District Attorney’s office. During her five years as assistant district attorney, she tried hundreds of cases including the most serious felonies. Her success as a trial lawyer drew the interest of a civil firm in Rochester, N.Y., that focuses on medical malpractice defense. Her practice will focus on civil litigation and professional negligence defense. Read more at www.ghrlawyers.com.
Angela Wilhelms has joined Dunn Carney as of counsel to practice governmental affairs and business law. Wilhelms served as chief of staff for the Oregon House Minority Office from 2007 until January 2011 and served as chief of staff for the Oregon House co-speaker from January 2011 until January 2013. She earned a joint degree in law and business from Willamette University and has recently become a member of the Oregon State Bar.
Thorp, Purdy, Jewett, Urness & Wilkinson announces the association of Michelle P. Bassi in the firm’s Springfield office. After graduation, she worked for a public health research group in Boston, Mass. She earned her J.D. at the University of Oregon and was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 2010. She clerked for Lane County Circuit Court judges and was a staff attorney for Umpqua Valley Public Defender in Roseburg. She has a general practice with a focus on litigation.
Matthew C. Ellis announces the opening of the Law Office of Matthew C. Ellis. His practice will continue to focus on plaintiff’s employment law, housing discrimination law and general civil rights law. He will continue to serve on the executive committee of the OSB Civil Rights Section and to be active with the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and the Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court. His office is located in the American Bank Building at 621 S.W. Morrison St., Suite 1050, Portland, OR 97205; phone: (503) 765-5396; email: matthew@employment lawpdx.com.
Stoel Rives announces that Jon Wellinghoff, chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, will join the firm upon completion of his service at FERC. Wellinghoff submitted his resignation to the president on May 28, but no date has been announced for his departure.
Jennifer L. Lefere has joined the Law Offices of Jere M. Friedman in Phoenix, Ariz., as of counsel. She focuses her practice in intellectual property matters encompassing technology licensing, trademarks, copyrights and Internet matters, as well as general corporate matters and transactions.
Whitney S. Button has joined Lane Powell as an attorney in the firm’s litigation practice group, where she will focus her practice on commercial litigation. In addition to her summer associate experience at Lane Powell, Button worked as a judicial extern for the Hon. John V. Acosta at the U.S. District Court, District of Oregon. Button earned her J.D. from the University of Southern California.
Sandra D. Fraser has joined Tomasi Salyer Baroway in the firm’s real estate and construction law practice group. Her practice focuses on construction and timber litigation and a broad range of business disputes. She also advises clients on matters involving entity formation, sales or construction contract language, borrowing and real estate lease and sale transactions. Fraser recently managed a solo practice, Fraser Law, and previously worked at the James Law Group.
Dan Atchison was appointed Salem city attorney in October. Atchison served as an assistant city attorney for Salem since 2007 and was the acting city attorney from July of this year until his appointment in October. The office provides a full range of legal services to the city, including civil defense, criminal prosecution and general counsel.
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt has added Mary Anne Nash as an associate in the Portland office. Nash focuses her practice on environmental and natural resources law. She advises clients on a wide range of issues, ranging from state and federal cleanup laws to the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act. Nash previously was an associate at Dunn, Carney, Allen, Higgins & Tongue.
Amanda Keller and Nathan Boderman recently joined the Clackamas County Office of County Counsel as assistant county counsels. Keller will be primarily responsible for advising the county’s Water Environment Services department on general business transactions, environmental regulatory compliance and real estate transactions. She brings experience in contract drafting and review, local government and regulatory compliance, real estate transactions, employment law and non-profit formation. Boderman will be primarily responsible for advising in all aspects of land use, development review, transportation, real property matters and general transactions. Boderman comes to the county after nearly six years in private practice in Salem, where his experience included working with clients in a wide variety of real estate transactions and representing land owners and developers before local governments and the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.
Christine Slattery has joined Jackson Lewis as an associate. Slattery provides counsel and litigation services in general employment law. She defends single plaintiff and class action lawsuits in state and federal court alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation, breach of contract, wrongful termination, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, employment torts, wage and hour, and family medical leave claims. Reach her at Christine.Slattery@jacksonlewis.com or (503) 229-0404.
April Upchurch, formerly based in the Seattle office of Jackson Lewis, has transferred to the Portland office. Her practice focuses on labor and employment law and litigation, and she has represented management exclusively since 2004. In addition to an active litigation practice, Upchurch advises employers on employee discipline and termination, employment discrimination, state and federal leave laws, disability accommodation, wage and hour compliance, employment policies and practices, and non-compete agreements. Reach her at April.Upchurch@jacksonlewis.com or (503) 229-0404.
Greene & Markley announces that Timothy A. Lawson has become an associate with the firm. Lawson’s practice will focus on commercial litigation and bankruptcy. Lawson joined the firm as a law clerk in 2011 while earning his law degree and intellectual property certificate from Lewis & Clark Law School. Before law school, Lawson worked as a laboratory technician and scientist in the pharmaceutical industry near Philadelphia, Pa.
After spending the last two years in New York, Andrea Meyer has returned to Portland, where she continues as the national ACLU’s director of affiliate legislative programs. She works with ACLU affiliates across the country to develop and enhance their state legislative programs.
Barran Liebman announces its newest compliance section, the Higher Education Practice Group. Paula Barran, Rick Liebman, Amy Angel, Jeffrey JonesandBanu Ramachandran will represent colleges and universities on wide-ranging compliance issues including institutional obligations under Title VI, Title IX and VAWA. Recently, Barran earned her ATIXA Title IX coordinator certificate as well as her ATIXA Title IX investigator certificate. Jones has earned his VAWA compliance certificate.
Administrative Law Judge Joy Dougherty was recently appointed as presiding ALJ of the Workers’ Compensation Board. She has worked at the board as a staff attorney and became an administrative law judge in 2010. She manages the board’s hearings division.
Krista Irene Koehl, an accomplished attorney, advocate for balancing the environment and the economy and the arts, died Sept. 6, 2013, while on a vacation in Italy. She was 40.
Koehl was born on Aug. 23, 1973, and prided herself on being down-to-earth, hard-working, organized, fun-loving and passionate about life. She graduated valedictorian in 1991 from Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Ohio. No stranger to hard work, Koehl worked to put herself through college, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in environmental policy from Ohio University in 1995.
She was one of the rare ones who could seemingly do it all — balance her professional, community and family life. She loved being outdoors in her garden, in wine country, fishing, traveling and walking her beloved rescue dog, Moxie. She was the quintessential hostess and always made time for friends and family.
Koehl came to Oregon in 1996 to attend the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, where she earned her law degree with a certificate in environmental and natural resources law magna cum laude in 1999. Koehl served as an associate attorney at Stoel Rives before joining the Port of Portland in 2004 as assistant general counsel. There she led the Port’s critical Portland Harbor Superfund efforts, becoming the first general manager of Portland Harbor Environmental issues before being promoted to general counsel in December 2012.
Koehl was widely recognized as a rising star and leader in both the Port and larger legal communities. She was a mentor to many, cultivating the best in her employees, colleagues and friends. Koehl took her leadership duties seriously and was relentless in her promotion of increasing professional opportunities for women.
Koehl founded Women in the Environment and served on its board, as well as the boards of the Freshwater Trust, Classroom Law Project and the Lewis & Clark Law School alumni board of directors. Koehl was also a talented watercolor painter and served on the governance committee for the Right Brain Initiative.
Koehl is survived by her husband, Ray Hendricks, her mother and stepfather, a brother, a sister, a stepson and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Lester L. Rawls, a respected attorney who headed both the Oregon State Bar and the OSB Professional Liability Fund, died Sept. 12, 2013 in Lewiston, Idaho. He was 85.
Rawls was born Feb. 8, 1928, in Mabton, Wash. He served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater and the Japan occupation in World War II. He attended Willamette University, Pacific University and then Lewis & Clark College in Portland, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He subsequently graduated from Northwestern School of Law in Portland in 1962 with his J.D.
After many years as a manager in the insurance industry, he entered the private practice of law in 1963. In 1972, he was appointed by Gov. Tom McCall as the insurance commissioner for the state of Oregon and served in that capacity until 1977. While commissioner, he was appointed to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Committee on Malpractice and served on the American Bar Association Special Committee on Professional Liability. Rawls was a founding member of the NAIC bar-related insurance companies. He was elected chairman of the executive committee of the NAIC in 1976 and in 1977 was elected president of NAIC.
In 1978, he was hired by the Oregon State Bar to organize and administer the Professional Liability Fund. At the same time, he was the interim executive director for the Oregon State Bar.
While at the Professional Liability Fund, he pioneered a program addressing attorney alcohol/drug dependency through rehabilitation services, which has become a national model for other state bar associations.
Prior to retirement in 1993, Rawls returned to private practice, emphasizing insurance regulatory matters.
Rawls married Jean Stephenson in 1951, had three children and divorced after 29 years. In 1983, he married Elizabeth (Libby) Johnson. After retirement, they moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where he was active in politics and community affairs. He was a past member of the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands, past president of the Nez Perce County Historical Society, a 63-year member of the Calam Shrine Lodge No. 10 in Lewiston and member of the Shrine Oriental Band and the Cranker’s Club.
His hobbies included golfing, model train railroading, wood working, photography, antique cars, debating politics and in earlier years, flying his Piper Comanche airplane.
Rawls is survived by his wife Elizabeth Ann (Libby), two sons, two daughters and grandchildren.
Harl H. Haas, a noted trial lawyer who enjoyed a long and distinguished career serving the people of Multnomah County and the state of Oregon in all three branches of government, died peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on Sept. 21, 2013. He was 80.
Haas was born on Dec. 24, 1932, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He called Oregon home beginning in 1958, when he came west to attend law school. After military service and undergraduate study at the University of Montana and South East Missouri State, Haas graduated with honors from Willamette University Law School in 1961. He was proud to be a 52-year member of the Oregon State Bar.
His occupation was trial lawyer; his avocation was public service. He was able to combine the two in a long and distinguished career serving and representing Multnomah County and the state of Oregon in all three branches of government as a legislator, district attorney and circuit court judge.
Haas’s motivation to enter public service was a true desire to improve the lives of the people he represented. In 1974, as district attorney, his office created the first Rape Victim Advocate Program to ease the trauma and protect the dignity of rape victims as they assisted the prosecution of the accused. In 1975, he implemented the first Victim’s Assistance Program to require restitution and protect the rights of crime victims. In 1991, as circuit court judge, he started the S.T.O.P. Drug Court to recognize and minimize the impact of drug addiction in the administration of justice. These programs became models for the nation, and he went on to promote them nationally, speaking at legislative and judicial conferences in nearly every state and in Congress.
He was an invited guest of President Clinton in 1994 at the signing of the National Crime Bill at the White House. Haas was a proud Democrat and skilled politician who practiced his craft in a time when differences of opinion created opportunities for compromise and progress.
Along with his public service came public notoriety. Haas knew how to differentiate the two. He made appearances on “60 Minutes,” “The Phil Donahue Show” and Court TV and was covered by many local and national publications.
Famous trial lawyer Gerry Spence tried a case in front of Judge Haas in 1987 that became the subject of Spence’s book, The Smoking Gun. Speaking of Haas, Spence said, “He was patient. He was a loving judge. He ruled with love not power. He created a court in which the atmosphere was one of caring and redemption. These are inadequate words I write for a great man who has made immeasurable contributions to my life over the years.”
Haas is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, a daughter, three stepchildren and three grandchildren.
Retired labor lawyer Monica A. Smith died Oct. 9, 2013, at the age of 62.
She was born March 16, 1951, in Tacoma, Wash., and grew up as the fifth of eight siblings. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature. Following college, Smith worked at a variety of jobs, including packing crabs in Alaska, waiting tables, keeping bees, counseling migrant workers and teaching English as a second language. She also studied Spanish and traveled extensively in Latin America.
An experience with a bad employer eventually convinced Smith to overcome her resistance to her father’s advice to become a lawyer. She graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1982. Smith worked as a labor lawyer for 26 years, forming the firm of Smith, Gamson, Diamond & Olney. She had the opportunity to represent unions of all sizes and employees in a wide range of fields, including education employees, firefighters, state and county employees, stagehands, patternmakers and restaurant workers, as well as the Oregon AFL-CIO.
After retiring from her practice of law in 2008, she continued to work for the Oregon Education Association, proudly supporting public education through the empowerment of education employees. Smith was a singer, gardener, swimmer and bicyclist. She was always active in her community, as a volunteer at Franklin High School, IRCO (the Immigration and Refugee Community Organization) and especially with the Willamette Valley Law Project, which supports the work of PCUN, the Northwest Farmworkers Union.
Smith lived well with cancer for four years. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Jeremy Sarant, her two children, seven siblings and many others.
Michael Joseph Dooney of Gearhart died suddenly on Oct. 19, 2013, while working on his property in Jewell. He was 66.
Dooney was born Dec. 31, 1946, in Portland. He was a graduate of St. Stephen Grade School, Jesuit High School and Gonzaga University. He received his law degree at the University of San Francisco Law School and was a member of the Order of the Coif.
After passing the Oregon bar, Dooney worked as a deputy district attorney in Clatsop County and went on to establish his private law practice in Seaside, where he continued to practice law until the time of his death.
Dooney’s friends said he had a genuine interest in others and a sincere love of people, often remembering even the smallest details about their families, work or past conversations. He was a talented musician and an accomplished woodworker. He loved spending time in the woods and outdoors, especially on the family property in Jewell. A devout Catholic, he was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa, their four children and six siblings.
Ross Shepard, whose work helped establish a national model for public defender services, died on Oct. 22, 2013, at his home in Eugene of a sudden heart attack. He was 67.
Ross Miller Shepard was born July 20, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio. He was a graduate of the Columbus Academy in 1964, of Colgate University in 1968 and the Ohio State University College of Law in 1971. He married Betsy Kearns in 1970 and moved to Eugene, where their two sons were born. Their marriage ended in 2001, and he was engaged to be married on Nov. 27, 2013, to his longtime friend and fiance, Peggy Lazarus.
Shepard began his legal career as a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) lawyer at Lane County Legal Aid in 1971. He then started a private law practice that provided legal services to many individuals and organizations. He was especially proud of helping to incorporate the Eugene Growers Market. In 1977, Shepard and Robert Larson started the first Lane County Public Defender Office in Eugene, to provide criminal defense for indigent clients.
He became the public defender in the early 1980s, and under his leadership, the office grew to become one of the largest law firms in Lane County and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice as a model public defender organization. Shepard was an original and founding member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (OCDLA) in 1979. He served as president in the late 1980s and then as legislative representative for the association. He continued to support OCDLA efforts both locally and at the state level until his death.
He left his role as public defender in 2004 and continued his legal work as a consultant and senior associate for the Spangenberg Group, an organization that provided assistance to public defender offices throughout the country. He also served as director of defender legal services in 2004 for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) in Washington, D.C. Following his retirement, Shepard continued to lobby in Salem for indigent defense and to volunteer his time and expertise to many in need of legal assistance.
Shepard had many and varied interests throughout his life. He had a passion for rugby after joining the Ohio State University Rugby Club during his law school years. In Oregon, he was an original member of the Eugene Rugby Club. He loved gardening and spent hours tending to his plants and flowers. He also had a great appreciation for all kinds of art, for traveling many places throughout the world, for Olympic weightlifting and for collecting the old books that filled the shelves in his home. In 2003, Shepard became a member of the Eugene Masons and provided volunteer support to the lodge in a variety of capacities.
Survivors include his fiance, Peggy Lazarus, two sons, a sister and other relatives.