Queen’s Bench Luncheon Series: Refuge Stories

Each calendar year, the Queen’s Bench luncheons and events focus on a different theme consistent with our mission to promote professional advancement, camaraderie, and good fellowship among women in the legal profession and the community. During 2018, we will explore and look at Oregon with an intersectional lens.  Everyone is welcome – you need not be a member to attend our events.

Except where indicated otherwise below, our monthly luncheons will be held at the federal courthouse, 1000 SW Third Avenue, Portland, OR (courtroom to be announced on a sign in the lobby each month). Doors open at 11:45 a.m., and our speakers will begin at noon. Please bring photo identification to present to courthouse security.

The bag lunches will be catered by Bridge City Cafe, at a cost of $13 (or $5 for students). Registration closes at 9 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the Tuesday luncheon, but you may also attend without a lunch by emailing us at [email protected].

Nursing mothers and young children are welcome, and celebrated, at all Queen’s Bench events.

Jan 9       TWO SUITCASES – STORIES OF OUR REFUGEE SISTERS

When refugees leave the lives they have built in their home countries to escape persecution, war, violence, or natural disaster, U.S. Immigration and Customs allows the lucky few who are granted admission to the UNITED STATES to come—with just two suitcases. Imagine if the two bags you took on your last flight or trip were all you were allowed to bring with you into a new life in a new country—what would that look like?

Please join us at the Federal Courthouse in Portland, Oregon at noon this Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the first Queen’s Bench Luncheon of the year where 2018 Roberts & Deiz award recipient Chanpone Sinlapasai, Marandas & Sinlapasai and Adina Matasaru, Matasaru Law, will enlighten us about the refugee experience in America, from journeys of hardship and violence to places of peace and restoration.

We begin our ongoing conversation about voices from the margins with a short introduction to Intersectionality by Banafsheh Violet Nazari, Nazari Law.