Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be told. The OSB Diversity Story Wall project is designed to spotlight untold stories from the legal profession that heighten our awareness of diversity, inclusion, and access to justice in Oregon. Our plan is to produce a museum-quality informational display that includes dual timelines: one highlighting diversity in the legal profession in Oregon, and the other underscoring major milestones that have advanced diversity and access to justice in Oregon and across the U.S.
The story wall will be installed at the OSB Center in Tigard, Oregon, where a similar installation details the history of women lawyers in. An interactive website and supplemental posters are planned to broaden the reach of this new historical information project. For more information about how to be part of this historic project, click here.
OLIO fosters innovation and excellence by creating a diverse community of talented lawyers in Oregon. A diverse bar is necessary to remove barriers to justice, promote respect for the rule of law, improve the quality of legal services and increase access to justice. Your tax deductible donation to the Oregon Law Foundation, OLIO's fiscal sponsor, supports OLIO.
OSB's Mission & Values
The mission of the Oregon State Bar is to serve justice by promoting respect for the rule of law, by improving the quality of legal services, and by increasing access to justice. The bar is committed to serving and valuing its diverse community, to advancing equality in the justice system, and to removing barriers to that system.
Why Diversity is Important
A diverse bar is necessary to remove barriers to justice, promote respect for the rule of law, improve the quality of legal services and increase access to justice.
Opportunities for Law in Oregon (OLIO)
OLIO is the Oregon State Bar's nationally recognized recruitment and retention program for racial and ethnic minorities who are historically underrepresented in the legal community. This diversity and inclusion program begins with an orientation that provides incoming Oregon minority law students with the opportunity to interact with each other, and with upper division students, judges and leaders who will serve as their mentors and role models.
During orientation, students meet a community of diverse supporters committed to helping them succeed. The curriculum focuses on sharpening existing skills and providing new skills to help ensure success in law school and beyond. Students receive valuable information on networking, study skills and Oregon bar exam preparation.
OLIO participants also have opportunities to reconnect throughout the year at several OLIO events, including a bowling network event (BOWLIO), an employment retreat and spring social.
OLIO is a fundamental tool for recruiting and retaining diverse legal talent in Oregon and increasing the diversity of the Oregon State Bar. OLIO fosters an engaged, supportive and inclusive legal community necessary to advance our legal profession and improve legal services to an increasingly diverse population, clients and customers, locally and globally.
Duties/Responsibilities
Members of the Affirmative Action Committee score applications for the Public Honors, Clerkship Stipend, Scholarship, and Bar Exam Grant programs. This committee of 17 volunteer attorneys and 1 public member is a critical part of the Diversity and Inclusion Department. The Committee also provide vision, advise the DI staff, and are strong program advocates.
ACDI Committee Roster
| Reeves, Liani JH | Chairperson | |
| Haroldson, John M | Secretary | |
| Austin, Amanda J | Member | |
| Bartz, David F | Member | |
| Butler, Deborah M | Member | |
| Iparraguirre, Roland H | Member | |
| Meng, Linda | Member | |
| Morgan, Janice R | Member | |
| O'Neil, Yumi Minagawa | Member | |
| Hon Rastetter, Thomas J | Member | |
| Rudd, Michelle Gates | Member | |
| Starke, Cynthia J | Member | |
| Sykes, Diane Schwartz | Member | |
| Umscheid, Lisa M | Member | |
| Wu, Michael Y | Member | |
| Lopez, Charles J | Public Member | |
| Summers, Serilda | Public Member | |
| Kranovich, Tom | BOG Contact | |
| Gregory, Shari R | OAAP Liaison | |
| Nicholls, Jennifer | NLD Liaison | |
| Hyland, Mariann | Bar Liaison |
Mariann Hyland, Director of Diversity & Inclusion
phone: (503) 431-6337
fax: (503) 598-6937
mhyland@osbar.org
Toni Kelich, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
phone: (503) 431-6338
fax: (503) 598-6938
tkelich@osbar.org
Benjamin James, Diversity & Inclusion Assistant
phone: (503) 431-6335
fax: (503) 598-6999
bjames@osbar.org
Oregon Law Schools
Thinking About Becoming an Attorney?
The following links are resources that may assist you as you begin to explore a career in the legal profession.
Oregon Law School Admissions Offices:
Specialty Bars & Minority Bar Associations
External Scholarship Opportunities for Law Students
Other Diversity Resources
Job Resources