What is OGALLA?
OGALLA, the LGBT Bar Association of Oregon, is an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers, judges, legal workers, law students, and others who support the association’s purposes.
What is the Purpose of OGALLA?
Founded in January of 1991, OGALLA was created as a statewide organization to support the needs of sexual minorities and gender non-conforming people in the
legal profession.
Membership
OGALLA has nearly 150 members, and is associated with the National LGBT Bar, an affiliate of the American Bar Association. If you’d like to become a member of OGALLA, click here.
STATEMENTS
Letter in Support of DA Schmidt
OGALLA applauds the Aug. 11, 2020 policy of the Multnomah County DA declining to prosecute minor cases arising from the ongoing protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter
OGALLA stands with our Black community and communities of color across the nation in mourning the deaths at the hands of the police.
Statement on Bostock
OGALLA applauds the United States Supreme Court’s decision, holding that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are protected from discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
WHAT MAKES OGALLA WORK
GET INVOLVED
Safe Schools Committee – The Safe Schools Committee, in partnership with other safe schools advocates, works to support the implementation of the Safe Schools Act with the goal of making Oregon schools safe havens for LGBT youth.
Education and Outreach Committee – This committee works to educate a broad range of audiences through CLEs with a focus on LGBTQ issues and through educational outreach on civil and legal rights at events such as Pride. In 2013, the Committee is working to host a CLE for juvenile law practitioners and social workers to address effective advocacy for LGBTQ youth in the foster care system.
Judiciary Committee – The Judiciary Committee reviews candidates for appointed judicial positions. The committee works closely with other diversity bars in the vetting process in order achieve our goal of promoting a judiciary that is diverse and committed to the constitutional ideals of equality of all people before the law.
Dinner Committee – The Dinner Committee organizes OGALLA’s annual gala dinner and silent auction. All proceeds from the silent auction go to support the Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship Fund.
If you are interested in working with the committee, please contact us at info@ogalla.org.
OUR PURPOSE
To promote the fair and just treatment of all people under the law regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
To further the professional development and advancement of LGBT lawyers, legal workers and law students.
To offer social opportunities for LGBT lawyers, legal workers and law students.
To identify and eliminate the causes and conditions of prejudice in our society.
To educate the public, the legal profession and the LGBT community about legal issues affecting the LGBT community.
To promote a spirit of unity, while valuing the diversity of our community.
OUR BOARD
Partner
Perkins Coie, LLP
Trial Attorney
SAIF Corporation
Deputy Director
Executive Director
Retired Oregon Supreme Court
Associate Attorney
Meyer/Stephenson Employment Law
Attorney
Barran Liebman
Attorney
Larkins Vacura Kayser
Student Representative
Lewis and Clark Law School
JD expected 2023
Attorney
Public Defender Marion County
Attorney
Law Office of Ruben Medina
University of Oregon School of Law
JD expected 2023
Attorney
Attorney
Miller Nash LLP
Willamette University College of Law
JD expected 2023
Lewis and Clark Law School
JD expected 2023
JOIN OGALLA TODAY!
We are always looking for people interested in joining our organization!
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