Page 1 - OWLS Spring 2017 AdvanceSheet

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Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 28, No. 2 Spring 2017
OWLS Honors Judge Frantz, Kasia Rutledge

By Brie Bridegum
he 25th her privilege.
Roberts That makes
T& Deiz her an asset
Awards Dinner to the legal
was held at the community
Portland Art and her or-
Museum on Fri - ganization,”
In This Issue day, March 10. Photo: Dreams in Bloom Photography Roberta said.
OWLS was Kasia then
Roberts & Deiz Awards pleased to be- took the
President’s Message stow on Judge stage to a
Julie Frantz the chorus of
GrOWLS: OWLS’ New Chapter Justice Betty cheers from
Roberts Award Judge Julie Frantz (left) and Kasia Rutledge her many sup-
Upcoming OWLS Events
and on Kasia porters in the
Mary Leonard Chapter Rutledge the Judge Mercedes Deiz Award. audience, many of whom brought cardboard
The Judge Mercedes Deiz Award is given an- cutouts of her face, which they waved in the air
OWLS Foundation nually to a person who has made an outstanding during her speech.
contribution to the promotion of minorities in Kasia spoke about the tremendous honor she
Flynn to Supreme Court
the legal profession and the community. Kasia feels to work as a public defender, noting that she
R&D Dinner Sponsors, Photos Rutledge, an attorney with Metropolitan Public gets to help people tell their stories. She pointed
Defender Services, received the award based on out that the law has never been a leader in social
The Judges’ Forum her history of support and advocacy for people change and that each person has a responsibility
OFALA Founded of color, from law students to other lawyers to to help ensure progress.
her own clients. During her remarks, Kasia said:
Thank you, Laura Craska Cooper Each award recipient was introduced by a The space I often find myself in in the law
video that featured comments by some of the is not made for me. My voice is often not
100 Years of Counting Women
many people who supported her nomination. welcome, or is not valued. These spaces
We Still Have a Long Way to Go On the first video, law student Alvin T. Clavon II have traditionally and are currently filled by
said, “Kasia is there, and she is always there in the same people who have filled them for
Meet Judge Bethany Flint full force supporting each student and being the past two hundred years. And if I, as a
Meet Aruna Masih very passionate about what needs to be done. straight, cis, non-disabled, privileged citizen
She helps students breaking into a culturally white woman experience this feeling, it is
U.S. District Court Update homogenous profession.” hard to imagine how stifling it is for queer,
Judge Darleen Ortega spoke in the video about disabled, non-citizen, or lawyers of color in
OWLS Members Lead OL4GG the professional impact Kasia has had, and she those same court rooms, classrooms, and
OWLS Workplace Leader Award noted that Kasia’s experience as a public defender board rooms. To continue moving in those
has enabled her to educate the bench and bar spaces as someone who doesn’t get the
Book Review: Judge Jane Bolin on how race affects the criminal process. Judge presumption of being entitled to one’s own
Ortega also noted Kasia’s strong history of men- air is an every day act of bravery. To endure
More R&D Dinner Photos
torship, and that she hosts an annual “orphan sting after sting of microagressions, hearing
1917 Newspaper Article Thanksgiving” to provide a welcoming holiday “Where are you from?” knowing that means
experience for those without family in Portland. “You don’t belong here” is bravery. . . . It’s
Roberta Phillip-Robbins also mentioned Kasia’s our responsibility to make room for those
professional success, noting that she is one of not currently at the table.
only a handful of public defenders in Oregon to Judge Julie Frantz of the Multnomah County
obtain an acquittal on a murder charge. Circuit Court received the Justice Betty Roberts
“Kasia is aware of her privilege and is willing Award. The award is given annually to a person
to create safe spaces for people who don’t share Continued on page 6

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 SPRING 2017