The Annual "Tillicum Gathering"

A Celebration of Diversity

On May 21, 2024, leaders from Oregon's specialty bars, as well as representatives from the MBA and OSB, gathered for the annual Tillicum Gathering. The Tillicum Gathering is a social networking event organized by the MBA's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee for legal leaders committed to fostering and expanding diversity and inclusion in our legal community. Davis Wright Tremaine generously hosted the evening.

Recipients of the MBA LSAT test preparation scholarships were honored. The scholarships pay for an LSAT preparation course for prospective law students who have a connection to Oregon, and who will diversify our bar when they complete law school and begin practicing law. Judge Maurisa Gates offered encouragement to the LSAT scholars before distributing the awards.
 

Inaugural "Tillicum Gathering"

On March 6, 2014 diversity/specialty bar leaders together with the MBA and representatives of the OSB enjoyed an inaugural social event to exchange ideas, learn about the ways in which groups can support each other and work together to promote diversity in the bar and connections with each other. The event was generously and graciously hosted by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Officers and board members of the following groups attended: Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association; OGALLA -The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon; Oregon Hispanic Bar Association; Oregon Minority Lawyers Association; National Bar Association-Oregon Chapter; Oregon Women Lawyers; MBA and MBA YLS; and the Diversity Section and Diversity & Inclusion Office of the OSB.

Participants submitted and voted on entries for an enduring event name using a "crowdsourcing" platform. Bob Steringer, partner with Harrang Long PC, submitted the winning entry of "Tillicum Gathering." "Tillicum" is the "Chinook jargon word for 'people' or 'family'" and was inspired by another entry, "The Family Feast" which referred to the different "families" of bar groups coming together in a spirit of mutual friendship and support.

Inspiration of a different sort was shared by representatives of each of the organizations as to how and why their organizations work with each other in support of diversity. Kevin Clonts, OGALLA Co-Chair and partner with Rizzo Mattingly Bosworth PC, spoke movingly of the importance of ethnic, racial, and sexual minority legal professionals as role models for teens and young adults who may struggle with isolation or even be at risk of suicide. Every diverse judge or leader is a powerful reminder of the possibilities open to historically underrepresented groups. He lauded the National Hispanic Bar Association's decision to relocate its 40th annual national convention away from Arizona in response to proposed legislation allowing businesses to deny service to LGBT people as an important showing of solidarity. This same sense of community and common purpose is felt and demonstrated by Oregon's specialty and diversity bar associations.

The leaders of the MBA and other bar organizations look forward to celebrating diversity in the legal community and the importance of connection annually at the "Tillicum Gathering" as we continue working together to promote and strengthen each groups' mission and the legal community's greater commitment to diversity.