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Oregon Minority Lawyers Association Annual Meeting and Member Recognition Reception
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The Oregon Minority Lawyers Association (OMLA) is holding its annual meeting and a reception to honor the accomplishments of OMLA members during 2019 and to look forward to the new year. The annual meeting is open to OMLA members only. The member recognition reception is generously sponsored and hosted by Stoel Rives, and is open to both OMLA members and non-members.
Date/TimeThursday, January 23, 2020 5:00–5:30 pm OMLA Annual Meeting (open to OMLA members) 5:30–7:30 pm OMLA Member Recognition Reception (open to all) LocationStoel Rives Offices 760 SW Ninth Avenue, Ste 3000 Portland, OR 97205 |
CALENDAR
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M E M B E R B E N E F I T S
Networking
OMLA holds networking and social events in around the State of Oregon. OMLA members participate in critical statewide committees and task forces.
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Professional Development
We manage a list-serv of over 700 attorneys that includes job opportunities. We also hold entertaining and meaningful luncheons with elected officials and prominent minority attorneys and judges
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Support
OMLA offers a Bar Exam Preparation Scholarship and administers the Angel Lopez Scholarship, the Business Law Section Scholarship and Litigation Section Scholarships.
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Oregon Minority Lawyers Association Statement
on Continued Diligence to Promote Diversity
on Continued Diligence to Promote Diversity
Due to events in our legal community, the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association would like to reiterate the importance of assessing and reassessing our respective cultural norms, biases, and lack of awareness.
At an event in 2019, an attorney used a derogatory term to make a racially biased joke. Even if used in jest, the use of a derogatory term so inexorably tied to generations of racism, oppression, and hatred was insensitive, hurtful, and wholly inappropriate. Too many people have had such terms directed towards them during traumatic, hurtful, and sometimes violent experiences. To remind them of those experiences during a time of celebration displays a disregard for the pain of these lived experiences and the principles for which our organization was founded.
Privilege comes in many forms and shows up in many ways. It is a privilege to have never experienced being called the “n-word.” We all benefit when we use our privilege to disrupt biases rather than allow them to continue.
While people of different races and cultures have experienced it in different manifestations, all people have experienced unequal, unfair, and unjust treatment. We should use our experiences to strengthen our unity and improve the conditions for all people.
Though there are many shared interests and commonalities, each marginalized community faces a unique path with its own history. And, each of us, individually, have inherited values and social norms that played a role in shaping our individual view of the world and those around us. Just as we work to enlighten the dominant culture, we must remember to investigate and challenge our own values and beliefs.
As lawyers, we know that words have great power. We are privileged to be able to choose our words and use them to promote equality and justice. As OMLA members, we must remain vigilant in our mission to promote diversity in the legal profession.
At an event in 2019, an attorney used a derogatory term to make a racially biased joke. Even if used in jest, the use of a derogatory term so inexorably tied to generations of racism, oppression, and hatred was insensitive, hurtful, and wholly inappropriate. Too many people have had such terms directed towards them during traumatic, hurtful, and sometimes violent experiences. To remind them of those experiences during a time of celebration displays a disregard for the pain of these lived experiences and the principles for which our organization was founded.
Privilege comes in many forms and shows up in many ways. It is a privilege to have never experienced being called the “n-word.” We all benefit when we use our privilege to disrupt biases rather than allow them to continue.
While people of different races and cultures have experienced it in different manifestations, all people have experienced unequal, unfair, and unjust treatment. We should use our experiences to strengthen our unity and improve the conditions for all people.
Though there are many shared interests and commonalities, each marginalized community faces a unique path with its own history. And, each of us, individually, have inherited values and social norms that played a role in shaping our individual view of the world and those around us. Just as we work to enlighten the dominant culture, we must remember to investigate and challenge our own values and beliefs.
As lawyers, we know that words have great power. We are privileged to be able to choose our words and use them to promote equality and justice. As OMLA members, we must remain vigilant in our mission to promote diversity in the legal profession.
A B O U T U S
OMLA is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to making the legal community of Oregon a welcoming environment where people of all colors, races, and ethnic backgrounds can excel academically, professionally, and personally.
Since our founding in 1991, we've been fully engaged in the Oregon legal community. Here is a small sample of what we do:
Since our founding in 1991, we've been fully engaged in the Oregon legal community. Here is a small sample of what we do:
- Host networking and social events in Portland, Salem, Eugene and Bend
- Fundraise for our Bar Exam Preparation Scholarship
- Scholarship Administration for the Angel Lopez Scholarship, Business Law Section Scholarship and Litigation Section Scholarships
- Luncheons with judges and other prominent minority attorneys
- Participate in statewide committees and task forces including the Oregon Supreme Court Task force on Racial and Ethnic issues in the Judicial System and the OSB Diversity section.
- Contribute to amicus curiae briefs on issues such as Interpreters in the Courtroom and same sex marriages
- Sponsor Legal Education Programs including the Oregon State Bar Diversity & Inclusion Department event "Opportunities for Law in Oregon (OLIO)," Oregon Hate Crimes Conference (2000), Convocation on Equality (2001), Attorney Recruitment and Retention (2001), ABA National Conference of the Minority Lawyer (2003-2005) and the Oregon IMAGE Program - Inspriring Minority Attorneys Towards Growth and Excellence
- Partner with other Oregon specialty bars on community and networking events