Page 8 - OWLS Spring 2017 AdvanceSheet

Oregon Filipino OWLS Thanks Laura Craska Cooper
American Lawyers By Bridget Budbill

Association utgoing OWLS President Laura ing up for what’s right. My daughters are
Craska Cooper has put a lot of not afraid to speak up for others, and
By Judge Janelle Factora Wipper Omiles on her car to attend OWLS that has a lot to do with being exposed
board meetings in Portland, but she to OWLS, its members, and its mission.”
n February 28 a robust group
of about 60 Filipino attorneys, says her com- Laura be-
Ojudges, and community members mute was came OWLS
gathered in Portland to celebrate Ore- well worth president in
the personal
the spring of
gon’s newest bar association, the Oregon connections 2016, after
Filipino American Lawyers Association made with serving both
(OFALA). OWLS mem- as vice presi-
In 2015 the association started out with bers. dent and as
just an email; it then grew into social “Through treasurer. Al-
gatherings of Filipino lawyers and law OWLS, I have though her
students. Then, in a small conference had oppor- role as pres-
room in September 2016, a mission was tunities to ident ends
realized and bylaws were formed, and work with this month,
OFALA was founded later that month. amazing she vows to
OFALA is a professional association women and stay active
of Filipino American judges, lawyers, men from in OWLS and
law students, legal professionals, and many dif - has volun-
supporters. Part of OFALA’s mission ferent fields OWLS President Laura Craska Cooper (left) teered to or-
is to increase the visibility of Filipino of practice,” and President-elect Angela Franco Lucero ganize the
American legal professionals and their said Laura, a founding partner in the 2018 OWLS Chapter Summit.
accomplishments; promote equality and Bend office of Brix Law, where she Laura’s other commitments in the
multiculturalism by increasing diversity practices real estate, land use, and gen- legal community include serving on the
within the Oregon State Bar and the eral business law. She chose to attend Executive Committee of the Real Estate
broader legal system; and empower Or- board meetings in person rather than and Land Use Section of the Oregon State
egon’s Filipino American community by by phone because she values in-person Bar and providing pro-bono legal counsel
increasing its access to the legal system. conversations. “The board has been so to nonprofit organizations throughout
OWLS member Julia Markley currently very supportive of me and flexible when Central Oregon. She will soon begin a
serves as OFALA’s president. I needed it,” Laura added. new endeavor as a member of the Central
Since its founding, OFALA has made Her ability to lead the organization Oregon Film Office Board of Directors,
important connections: Six members trav- while based in Central Oregon, where which recruits production companies to
eled to San Francisco in March to attend she lives with her family, galvanized her use Central Oregon for filming locations.
the West Coast Pinay Powerhouse Con- commitment to continue OWLS’ efforts Reflecting on her time as OWLS pres-
ference, which focused on empowering to be relevant to all parts of the state. ident, Laura said, “It has truly been one
Filipina American women lawyers. Two Laura expressed her admiration for of the honors of my lifetime to have a
members volunteered at the Philippine OWLS’ emphasis on cultivating and seat at the table with so many amazing
Consulate’s Portland-based event to help celebrating diversity in its membership. people and to work on so many import-
with passport renewals and other travel “OWLS has provided my daughters an ed- ant issues.” OWLS thanks Laura for her
inquiries. ucation in civil rights and issues faced by dedication and her leadership.
A current goal of OFALA is to partner marginalized communities, and a finely Bridget Budbill is an attorney at the
with existing specialty bar organizations. tuned sense of the importance of stand- Bonneville Power Administration.
Partnering generates a stronger voice in
the larger Oregon bar community, and
thus the unique issues facing Filipino
Americans will be more readily identified.
We plan to attend many events offered Tonya M. Alexander, J.D.
by our sister and brother specialty bars.
Please support us. Visit www.oregonfala.
org. Check us out on Facebook or join our A fresh approach to helping family
LinkedIn group. law attorneys settle their cases
OFALA thanks the sponsors of our Exclusively Divorce Mediation & Collaborative Law
February 28 event: Parker Butte & Lane;
Parsons Farnell & Grein; and Perkins Coie. YourPeacefulResolution.com
Judge Janelle Factora Wipper serves on Over 15 years of dedication to Family Law
the Washington County Circuit Court. (503) 531-9109
She is OFALA’s president-elect.

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 8 SPRING 2017