Most of the MBA and YLS work is done through its committees and depends on hundreds of attorney volunteers. Learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Plan, conduct and evaluate 40 CLE seminars, focusing on members’ primary areas of practice. This committee develops topics and recruits speakers for all CLE seminars presented by the MBA. CLE classes are designed to address the varied areas of law in which MBA members practice. If you have a suggestion for a CLE speaker or topic, call the MBA at 503.222.3275.
2024-25 Chair: Jonathan Strauhull, Multnomah County Attorney's Office, jonathan.strauhull@multco.us
The goal of the Court Liaison Committee is to foster constructive dialogue with the judiciary and court administrator with regard to rules or procedural changes and to assist the court in educating members about court issues. In addition, the committee surveys members on issues regarding the Multnomah County Circuit Court, writes the Multnomah Lawyer "News from the Court" column and the profiles of local judges and full-time referees.
2024-25 Chair: Shenoa Payne, Shenoa Payne Attorney at Law PC, spayne@paynelawpdx.com
The mission of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee is to foster and expand diversity, inclusion and equality in the MBA and Multnomah County legal community and to create and strengthen a relationship of mutual support between the MBA and diverse bar organizations. The committee administers the LSAT scholarship program and MBA Diversity Award Nomination & Selection Process.
2024-25 Chair: Chris Allnatt, Office of Legislative Counsel, christopher.allnatt@oregonlegislature.gov
Plans social and networking events, and fundraising events including the WinterSmash bowling event and Battle of the Lawyer Bands, which are both family-friendly fundraisers for the Multnomah Bar Foundation.
2024-25 Co-chairs: Amanda Bowers, Scheer.Law PLLC, mandieb@scheer.law and DeLynn Shogren, A Better Way Divorce Solutions, ABetterWay.Divorce@gmail.com
Made up of lawyers and as many as three public members, the Judicial Screening Committee confidentially reviews applications of pro tem and judicial appointment candidates and reports its recommendations as called for in the MBA's board-approved process.
2024-25 Chair: Garrett Garfield, Holland & Knight LLP, garrett.garfield@hklaw.com
The committee promotes principles of professionalism within the Multnomah County bar, through the professionalism statement; works with the MBA Young Lawyers Section and staff on the MBA Mentor Program; administers the MBA Professionalism Award Nomination & Selection Process and writes the "Corner Office" column for the Multnomah Lawyer. The committee also works to increase members' formal commitment to providing pro bono legal representation for those who are in need by encouraging members to sign the Pro Bono Pledge.
2024-25 Chair: Brandon Thornburg, Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP, bthornburg@cosgravelaw.com
Exploring new ways for lawyers to assist those in need in the community, in partnership with the court, pro bono and social service providers, and other stakeholders.
2024-25 Chair: Crystal Hutchens, Paternoster Farnell & Grein LLP, chutchens@pfglaw.com
The committee focuses on programs and services that are of value to small firms and solo practitioners.
2024-25 Chair: Rebecca Cambreleng, Cambreleng & Marton LLC, rebecca@workplacelawpdx.com