Oregon Women Lawyers

Volunteer Committees

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.

AdvanceSheet Committee

The 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:  Terri Kraemer

Awards Committee

The 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.
Chair: Linda Meng

Contract Lawyers Referral Service

Maintains and markets a listing of available OWLS contract lawyers. Facilitates monthly meetings to support and provide information for contract lawyers. 
Co-Chairs: Norma S. Freitas and Mary Egan

Leadership Committee

The OWLS Leadership Committee plans and coordinates events focused on assisting women and minority lawyers in developing their leadership skills and goals. This standing committee consists of OWLS members and board members.
Co-Chairs: Susan O'Toole and Shannon Vincent

Membership Committee

Works with OWLS staff to develop strategies and materials to increase and retain OWLS membership. Committee consists of board members and members.
Chair: Sally Anderson Hansell

Networking Event Committee (OWLSNet)

The Networking Event Committee (OWLSNet) plans and coordinates events for OWLS members and other professional organizations. This provides our members with opportunities to generate contacts in the greater business community. The committee consists of OWLS board and members.
Chair: Shari Gregory

Public Relations

The Public Relations and Awards Committee works todevelop and implement a public relations plan to increase OWLS' profile in the legal profession and the Oregon community by: (1) promoting OWLS’ activities and accomplishments; (2) cultivating earned media coverage and providing media-related resources and information to other OWLS committees; (3) tracking local and national awards, making recommendations to the Board of OWLS members to nominate for such awards, and coordinating nomination packets for Board-approved nominees; and (4) overseeing the content and maintenance of OWLS’ website. The committee is a standing committee and is made up of OWLS board and members.
Chair: Kathi Rastetter

Roberts Deiz Dinner Committee

The Roberts Deiz Dinner Committee solicits nominees and makes recommendations to the Board for the yearly awards to individuals for the Justice Roberts and Judge Deiz awards. In addition, the committee plans and coordinates an award event for presentation of the awards. The committee is a standing committee, but is especially active from October to March.
Co-Chairs: Angela Franco Lucero and

Spring and Fall CLE Committees

The Spring and Fall CLE Committees plan and coordinate the annual OWLS spring and fall conference. Committees typically convene for 3-4 months. Activities include everything from preparing the brochure to arranging the conference site, obtaining speakers, sponsors and vendors, and sending thank you letters. For information, contact Linda Tomassi at OWLS 503.595.7826.

Transformation Committee

The Transformation Committee is charged with assisting the OWLS Board, other committees and the Executive Director with implementing the “transformation” element of the OWLS mission statement, and infusing it into OWLS events and activities. The committee is a standing committee with periods of more intense activity, and consists of OWLS board and members.
Chair: Dana Forman