Volunteer committees are the backbone of Oregon Women Lawyers. Committee work varies in duration and time commitment, with some committees serving as limited-term “project” committees and others providing year-round guidance and oversight for issue areas. Committee work is one of the best ways to support OWLS – and make friends and professional connections in the process. Committee members are members of OWLS. Contact OWLS staff or fill out this survey to learn more.
AdvanceSheet Committee
Oversees production and publication of the OWLS quarterly newsletter. A standing committee, the group meets quarterly and consists of staff, OWLS members, and board members. Committee work includes planning, soliciting and writing articles and features. Chair: Joslyn Keating
Awards Committee
Tracks local and national awards. Makes recommendations to the Board regarding OWLS members to nominate for such awards, and coordinates nomination packets for Board-approved nominees. Committee consists of OWLS members and board members. Co-Chairs: Sara Kobak and Gizem Demirel.
Community Service Committee
Organizes OWLS members and friends for community-related philanthropic activities, including volunteering, fundraising, and donation acquisition. Co-Chairs: Ayla Ercin & Keturah Taylor
Contract Lawyers Referral Service
OWLS maintains and markets a listing of available OWLS contract lawyers. The Contract Lawyers Service provides job listings and information for contract lawyers.
Fall CLE Committee
Plans and coordinate the annual OWLS Fall conference. The committees typically convenes for 4-6 months. Activities include everything from preparing the brochure to arranging the conference site, obtaining speakers, sponsors and vendors, and sending thank-you letters. 2024 Chair: Marisa Moneyhun
Judicial Work Group
Works to transform the practice of law and ensure justice and equality by increasing the number of qualified women and minorities on the bench. To that end, the Work Group gathers and shares information regarding the process for judicial appointments and elections; disseminates information about judicial vacancies to its membership; identifies qualified women and minority candidates for judicial positions and encourages them to apply; responds to requests for information and support from members, women, and minorities; advises members through the judicial application process; advocates for diverse viewpoints in the appointment process; and urges decision-makers to consider diversity as a factor in their recommendations and appointments. Currently, the OWLS Judicial Work Group neither conducts background searches on candidates nor endorses candidates. Committee consists of current and past board members and members appointed by the executive committee. Co-Chairs: Jessica Price and Hon. Kamala Shugar
Leadership Committee
The OWLS Leadership Committee plans and coordinates events focused on assisting women and other lawyers outside the dominant culture in developing their leadership skills and goals. This standing committee consists of OWLS members and board members. Co–Chairs: Marisa Moneyhun and Emily Busse
Membership
Works with OWLS staff to develop strategies and materials to increase and retain OWLS membership and to ensure that OWLS is relevant and accessible to members in all geographic regions of the state. Committee consists of board members and members. Co-Chairs: Mary Dougherty and Ashley McDonald
Roberts & Deiz Award Committee
Solicits nominees and makes recommendations to the Board for the yearly award to individuals for the OWLS Roberts and Deiz award. In addition, the committee plans and coordinates an award event the second Friday of March for presentation of the award(s). The committee is a standing committee, but is especially active from September to March. Co-Chairs: Lizz Esfeld, Angela Polk, Alysha Phelps
Transformation Committee
Develops and maintains current strategies and materials to eliminate bias, discrimination, and harassment in the practice of law and to ensure that OWLS is accessible to communities who are systemically oppressed. Committee work includes providing a forum for hybrid events and planning DEI programs and events in collaboration with committees, chapters, and affinity bar organizations, promoting intersectional feminism within OWLS, and coordinating code of conduct policies and procedures, including the Annual Spring CLE. Co-Chairs: Lisa Shevlin and Amanda Thorpe
Working Parents Committee
Works to support lawyers who are caregivers or contemplating becoming caregivers. The Committee provides programming related to family leave, work life balance, career advancement, alternate work schedules, childcare, and parenting skills. A subcommittee works to develop model policies and practices needed to recruit and retain talented parent lawyers. The Committee also supports events and networking opportunities. Co-Chairs: Silvia Tanner, please contact OWLS Staff with interest if you would like to become a co-chair of this committee.