Page 1 - OWLS AdvanceSheet Winter 2017

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Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 28, No. 1 Winter 2017
A Conversation with

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici

By Florence Z. Mao
n No - tive Bonamici
vember answered
O10, the questions and
OWLS Leader- discussed a va-
In This Issue ship Commit- riety of issues
tee continued relating to her
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici its series titled career both
“ S k i l l s a n d before and
Balancing the Scales Strategies for after entering
Emerging Po- politics. After
President’s Message litical Leaders” law school, Ms.
Mary Leonard Chapter at a luncheon Bonamici was
event with U.S. an attorney
Upcoming OWLS Events Representa- From left: Susan Pitchford, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, for the Federal
Judge Karin J. Immergut
tive Suzanne Trade Commis-
Roberts & Deiz Awards
Bonamici, who represents the 1st Congressional sion in Washington, DC, where she practiced
OWLS Members Elected District of Oregon. Moderated by Multnomah consumer protection law. She then moved to
County Circuit Court Judge Karin J. Immergut, the Portland and continued consumer protection
Breaking into Public Speaking event was the second of a series of presentations work at a law firm, where she was one of the few
Eugene Event in which political leaders discuss their pathways women lawyers, and worked until her children
to elected office. The series aims to strengthen were born. She recalled having to shape her own
Supporting Women Litigators the leadership skills of OWLS members and to family-leave policy to accommodate their births.
inspire them to political activity at every level, Noting that 25% of women in the United States
Lawyers’ Assoc. of Wash. County
from neighborhood associations to national return to work only two weeks after the birth
Capitol Update office, while championing causes near to their of a child, Ms. Bonamici emphasized the need to
hearts. The first event in the series was held in update our nation’s workplace policies to reflect
Dress for Success June 2016 and featured Oregon Attorney General the current workforce and family dynamics.
Ellen Rosenblum. Ms. Bonamici encouraged those with young
Women’s Trial Academy
During the November event, held at the Stoel families to have honest discussions with their
OSB Awards Rives office in downtown Portland, Representa- Continued on page 4
Investiture of Judge Russo Balancing the Scales: Film Examines
Queen’s Bench Honors Judges

OWLS Foundation Grants Gender Inequality in the Legal Profession
By Bridget Budbill
Meet Kristin Sterling
tlanta trial lawyer and filmmaker Sharon Rowen poses a big question in her new documen-
Clackamas Women Lawyers tary, Balancing the Scales: why do so few women reach the highest echelons of America’s
Alaw firm leadership?
In an effort to find answers, Ms. Rowen spent 20 years interviewing a broad range of women
lawyers, all of whom have something to say on the matter. Included in Ms. Rowen’s interviews are
United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Roe v. Wade attorney Margie Pitts Hames,
11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge Phyllis Kravitch, civil rights attorney Gloria Allred,
current and former members of state supreme and appellate courts, and women partners at law
firms. OWLS and Bodyfelt Mount sponsored a screening of the film with Ms. Rowen on October 25
at the World Trade Center in Portland. Continued on page 6

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 WINTER 2017