Dedication
The Oregon Minority Lawyers Association is managed completely by volunteers. Our Board of Directors is made up of Oregon lawyers who donate countless hours of their personal time to make Oregon a great place to practice law.
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Chase Morinaka joined the Board in 2010. He served as Board Secretary during 2013 and 2014. In 2014, he began serving as Co-Chair of the organization. He has previously planned the OMLA Luncheons featuring the Oregon Supreme Court, Appellate Court Judges, and Oregon State Bar Presidents.
“Having graduated law school in another state, OMLA gave me the opportunity to connect with members of the local legal profession, build relationships with mentors, and get to know our esteemed Judges. Through OMLA, I have been able to develop friends and colleagues that have helped me develop a rewarding and meaningful career as a lawyer in Oregon.” Chase Morinaka holds his main office in Portland, Oregon but works with clients across the Northwest and maintains close ties to his home community in Eastern Oregon. He practices in the areas of Personal Injury, Estate Planning, and Business Law. With clients throughout the Pacific Northwest, he advocates for the advancement of the interests for the underprivileged. He stays involved with the local community through the Rotary and the Asian & Pacific American Chamber of Commerce. |
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Iván (pronounced "ee-v-AA-n") is a ligation and appellate attorney on the firm’s appellate, education, and employment and labor relations practice teams. Iván is known for handling complex cases and situations, providing practical advice, and finding creative solutions for clients from such diverse industries as education, energy, and manufacturing.
Iván advises employers, including higher education institutions, on knotty employment-related issues including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour compliance, and on preparing employment documents such as employment agreements, handbooks, and other workplace policies. Iván also defends public and private employers on a wide range of employment and commercial matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including appeals, breaches of contract, class actions, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination (as well as other tort claims), and ERISA litigation. Iván is a regular speaker and author on employment law, diversity, and litigation topics. He has been recognized by national, state, and local organizations, including the Hispanic National Bar Association’s “Top Lawyers Under 40” Award, Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and the Oregon State Bar President’s Diversity & Inclusion Award. Before joining Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, Iván clerked for the Honorable Lynn R. Nakamoto at the Supreme Court of Oregon and the Oregon Court of Appeals. |
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Fernanda Douglas
Treasurer |
Fernanda Douglas grew up in El Paso Texas and is a first generation Mexican American whose parents served in the US Army.
She studied psychology at the University of Texas at Austin then graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law. Interested in Criminal law, she began her career with CLS in Multnomah county for in the DV Unit while in school and then was a prosecutor for Josephine County. Ms. Douglas is now a prosecutor for Clackamas County. She lives with her cats in the Portland and at her local gym. |
Sujata Patel
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Sujata Patel joined the OMLA board in 2009. She was a member and board member of MLSA (Minority Law Student Association) during her 3 years at Lewis and Clark Law School graduating in 2007. After law school, she wanted to continue to stay involved in the legal community, and OMLA's mission of creating community and its commitment to diversity within the legal professional was a perfect fit.
Sujata currently directs commercial real estate transactions for Apex Real Estate Partners. |
Samantha Copeland
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Samantha Copeland joined the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association Board of Directors in 2010, serving as the Auction Chair and a member-at-large, furthering OMLA’s mission by raising funds for bar exam scholarships for minority law students in Oregon.
After receiving her undergraduate degree in Business Marketing from Oregon State University, Samantha obtained her law degree from Willamette University in 2007. Samantha began her legal career as an associate for a large insurance defense firm. After two years, she decided to open her own practice and has pursued fighting for her clients’ fundamental rights and overcoming the injustices they face ever since. Samantha is admitted to the Oregon State Bar, the U.S. District Court of Oregon and the Ninth Circuit. Samantha is an active member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and serves on the Legislative Committee. In her free-time, Samantha is an avid rockhound and plays in competitive cornhole tournaments locally and nationwide. |
Shannelle Honda
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Shanelle is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses on business litigation, including insurance coverage, contract disputes, and fiduciary liability, trade secret, and employment disputes. She also has experience in bid protests and public contracting disputes. Shanelle provides counsel at every stage of litigation and has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts.
Shanelle has significant experience with insurance coverage disputes and focuses exclusively on representing policyholders. She helps businesses resolve a variety of complex insurance coverage matters, including claims concerning errors and omissions, employment practices, general liability, environmental contamination, and product recall. Prior to entering private practice, Shanelle served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Jerome E. LaBarre of the Multnomah County Circuit Court, where she clerked in over 20 trials and numerous hearings. She also externed for the Honorable Michael W. Mosman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon while in law school. Before pursuing a legal career, Shanelle worked in the banking industry for nearly seven years helping clients reach their financial goals. When not practicing law, Shanelle enjoys dining out, hiking, and otherwise spending time with her husband and their dog. Although raised in Oregon, Shanelle was born in Hawaii and returns as often as possible for the culture, food, and beaches. She enjoys painting and ceramics, and trying to grow plants in her garden. |
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Harold Acevedo
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Harold Acevedo joined the OMLA board in 2024. Originally from Los Angeles, California where he attended UCLA as an English major. Upon graduating, he moved to Portland, Oregon to attend Lewis and Clark Law School. After graduating in 2008, Harold decided to pursue a career in teaching to help youth, especially young folks from disadvantaged backgrounds. He's been in education for 12 years and is working towards combining his passion for law and education to help others.
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Gilbert Cotto-Lazo |
Gilbert Cotto-Lazo assists in the defense of healthcare providers, lawyers, school districts, and business owners throughout Oregon. His practice is oriented primarily around the defense of negligence, tort, and employment claims in state and federal court. Mr. Cotto-Lazo also advocates for clients before the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Mr. Cotto-Lazo has experience in federal, state circuit, and appellate courts. Prior to joining Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C. he served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable John V. Acosta and the Honorable Jolie Russo of the United States District Court. Mr. Cotto-Lazo also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable John V. Acosta of the United States District Court, the Honorable Steven R. Powers of the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the Honorable Charles Carlson at Lane County Circuit Court. In addition, Mr. Cotto-Lazo is a member of the Marion County Bar Association and Oregon Association of Defense Counsel. Mr. Cotto-Lazo enjoys playing guitar and piano, as well as photography. |
Justine Mitsuko Bonner
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Justine joined the board in 2023. Before attending Lewis and Clark Law School, she was a middle school teacher. After law school, Justine clerked at the Oregon Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. She is currently an Assistant Attorney General at the Oregon Department of Justice.
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