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Share Your Success
Editorial Goal The ultimate goal of our websites, e-newsletters and magazine is to share both general and specific information that supports and exemplifies the quality of legal education received at Willamette University College of Law.
More to the Story Editors of various college website newsfeeds and e-newsletters publish information at their discretion depending upon subject matter, space available and editorial goals for the given period of publication. There is no regular editorial schedule or calendar. The types of stories featured in publications may change from year to year based upon a balance of available information, trends or specific marketing/promotional goals of the law school and the university.
Sharing Your News We want to know about your professional successes. Submit an update about your career by emailing law-alumni@willamette.edu.
ACHIEVEMENTS
David Weiner JD’72 joined Jordan Ramis PC in Portland in October 2022 as of counsel. His practice focuses on complex commercial real estate transactions, including IRC Section 1031 Exchanges.
Andy Miller JD’79 retired as Washington’s longest-serving prosecutor in December 2022 after serving Benton County since 1980. He joined the county as a deputy prosecutor, working for six years, and then he spent 36 years as an elected prosecutor. He was known for being “victim-first,” advocating for therapeutic courts, and finding alternatives to the criminal justice system.
Clark B. Williams JD’79 received the De Muniz Award from the Marion County Bar Association in 2023. The award recognizes a member who best exemplifies the pursuit of the practice of law as a profession, demonstrating a spirit of public service and the highest possible level of competence, integrity and ethical conduct, and who serves as a role model for other attorneys.
A trailblazer for women
Sitting in a 1980s-era conference room with 12 males looking back at her, 31-year-old JoAnne Brandes JD’78 spelled it out to her boss, Sam Johnson, leader of global company, SC Johnson. They were going to open a childcare center for employees — and they were going to do it in four months, at a location she’d found, with space for 200 children.
The men turned to see Johnson’s reaction — and to Brandes’ surprise, he began to laugh. “This better work, JoAnne,” he said.
The men turned to see Johnson’s reaction — and to Brandes’ surprise, he began to laugh. “This better work, JoAnne,” he said.
As a young attorney and a new mom, she was stunned at how unaccommodating the work world was for those with children. Obsessed with her concerns about the availability of quality childcare, she wanted to do something about it.
“I thought, ‘I can hire someone to come into my house, but what do others do?’ I got very concerned about that,” Brandes explains.
“I’m a firm believer that you don’t break any glass ceiling unless you’re pulling other women up with you.”
Becoming a mother wasn’t Brandes’ first experience feeling undervalued as a woman. There weren’t many women in her law school class. As she interviewed with firms, she remembers a partner who explained that she was very nice and academically qualified — but she wasn’t going to get a job at any practice — simply because she was a woman.
Realizing she was on her own, she and her spouse left Oregon and went back to her home state of Wisconsin. She quickly got a job at a large firm. Being evaluated on the quality of her work, rather than her gender, was gratifying. When she got a call from SC Johnson, she wasn’t initially interested.
After reevaluating, she accepted SC Johnson’s offer to join the company’s law department, focusing on litigation and international corporate transactions. There for over 25 years, she absolutely loved the global work, fast pace and diversity. As a woman, she broke down barriers.
“I was the only woman in that law department, one of very few women in any type of leadership at that large company,” she says. “But it was a great career.”
Brandes retired as the executive vice president, CAO, general counsel and
secretary of JohnsonDiversey, Inc., responsible for all legal matters, human resources, communications, public affairs and administration for the company and its more than 65 subsidiaries.
That conversation in the boardroom led to SC Johnson being named to the list of the 10 Best Companies for Working Mothers. At the end of its first year, the childcare grew from 78 to 250 children served. Eventually, it began caring for more than 500 annually.
“It may seem like a small accomplishment in my career, but for me, it was one of my most significant contributions,” Brandes says. “It felt better than completing billion-dollar acquisitions.”
In her retirement, Brandes has stayed engaged at the highest level of business, serving on several large corporate and college boards.
“One of my greatest learnings … is that the true success came from doing the right thing on the way to reaching those goals, helping others, keeping my responsibilities and using my potential, while fighting off arrogance, greed and apathy,” Brandes says. “It’s all about the depth of your character, not about the achievement of goals.”
Mark T. Torok JD’83 was named chief executive officer by Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc., a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust, in October 2022. He was previously the chief operating officer. He has over 30 years of regulatory, compliance, securities and real estate experience.
Danny Santos JD’86, associate dean for student affairs and administration emeritus at Willamette Law, was the Marion County Bar Association’s 2023 recipient of the Carson Award for Service to the Community. The award recognizes a member for exemplary service through volunteerism in charitable, cultural, humanitarian or educational endeavors.
Peter Sheridan JD’88 was named 2023 president of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. Sheridan is a partner at Glaser Weil’s Construction Law practice, where he has practiced for more than three decades.
Renée Rothauge JD’89 was elected president of the Oregon Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates in February 2023. ABOTA is an invitation-only, national association of trial lawyers dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing the right to civil jury trials.
Jeffrey Himstreet BS’89, JD’93 was appointed vice president and senior counsel, regulatory affairs, for the Managed Funds Association, the trade association for the global alternative asset management industry. Himstreet has decades of experience in the industry.
Patricia Louise Nelson JD’93 was elected in October 2022 to serve as secretary of ConnectW, a nonprofit organization for central Oregon women that provides business-sharing opportunities and fosters relationships. She founded Two Spruce Law in Bend, where she focuses on probate law and estate planning.
J. Christopher Naftzger JD’94 was named interim CEO of Nabriva Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical corporation, in January 2023. He had served as the company’s general counsel and secretary since September 2021.
Randy Ruaro JD’94 was appointed as the new Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority executive director effective January 2023. Ruaro previously served as Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff and special assistant for statehood defense. In his practice as an attorney, he has worked on access issues, permitting and state land rights.
Coyreen R. Weidner JD’95 was named a partner of Moore Corbett Law Firm in Sioux City, Iowa, in January 2023. Weidner joined the firm in 2020 and specializes in education law, vaccine injury litigation, employment law and property tax law. From 1997 to 2007, Weidner was a magistrate with the Oregon Tax Court.
Gregory Zerzan BA’93, JD’96 was appointed chief administrative officer and general counsel of enCORE Energy Corp. in July 2022. In the announcement, Zerzan was noted as a proven executive and recognized legal expert on public and regulatory policies with over 20 years of experience, most recently as the principal deputy solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Alumnus challenges order banning WeChat app
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic marched across the globe, closing the borders of countries worldwide. For Keliang “Clay”
Instead of visiting in person, they were forced to video call or message each other via the WeChat app, which is widely used in China. But in August, then-President Trump issued an executive order banning both the WeChat and TikTok apps, set to become effective in 45 days.
“I used to go to China and could see my mom several times a year, but when the pandemic started and China closed its borders, I couldn’t see her. WeChat was the only way I could see and talk to my mom,” Zhu explains. “I talked to some fellow Chinese-American lawyers, and we decided the day after the announcement was made that we needed to go to court to reverse this decision.”
Zhu says the personal nature of the ban was his motivation. Knowing so many clients and colleagues who used the WeChat app, he had to take action. Although he hadn’t worked on any constitutional disputes since law school, he went back to his notes and thought there was a case.
After setting up a nonprofit, the WeChat Users Alliance, and raising about $1 million, he and his team challenged the ban in court as U.S. WeChat Users Alliance vs. Trump, ultimately winning the case on free speech grounds. Zhu’s team also forced the U.S. government to pay nearly $1 million in attorney fees for the illegitimate ban.
“Banning a social media app is like banning a website or news station or newspaper,” Zhu says. “Those are really key to American values and principles. We were just average users trying to protect freedom of speech, not trying to make it a political case, just trying to vindicate the rights of the U.S. Constitution.”
Following the win, Zhu says many in the Chinese American community came to his team to seek legal advice during the height of Asian hate incidents. He set up the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance to help, and continues to work pro bono to vindicate and protect Chinese Americans who are the victims of hate crimes.
Kurt Ronnow JD’97 was named special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence Division at the FBI’s Washington Field Office in May 2023. Previously, he served as a deputy assistant director. He joined the FBI as a special agent in 2002 and was assigned to the Salem Resident Agency, a satellite of the Portland Field Office in Oregon.
Rene Gonzalez BA’97, JD’00 was elected to Portland City Council in November 2022 after defeating incumbent Jo Ann Hardesty. He was sworn in on January 13, 2023. During his campaign, he emphasized the struggles that Portland has endured over the past several years, such as rising crime, declining livability and ineffective city policies.
James Estes JD’01 was named shareholder at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt in Portland in August 2022. Estes is a member of the firm’s Real Estate and Construction and Healthcare and Life Sciences industry groups.
Crystal Miller-O’Brien JD’01 was reappointed to the California Access to Justice Commission in April 2023, on which she has served since 2021. Miller-O’Brien has been of counsel at Glaser Weil LLP since March 2023.
Carlos Santiago Almeida JD’02 earned a master’s in intelligence and security studies from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in May 2022. He has worked at the Charleston County Public Defender’s Office for over a decade. He is also a Class Three graduate of the Charleston County Emerging Leaders Program.
Lee Ann Donaldson JD’09 was elected president of the Oregon State Bar for 2023. She previously served on the OSB’s Board of Governors. She is an attorney with Nichols Law Group in Portland.
AJ Alley JD’13’s company, A2 Bikes, was chosen as the official bike partner of USA Triathlon for 2023 and 2024. Alley is the CEO and founder of A2 Bikes. The company’s flagship triathlon bike “The Speed Phreak” was named one of the “Best Triathlon Bikes of 2022” by Triathlete Magazine
Keith Andreys JD/MBA’14 was the recipient of the Marion County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award in 2023.
Josh Savey JD’14 was named a 2023-2024 John S. Nolan Fellow. The fellows are tax lawyers who are actively involved in the ABA Section of Taxation and have demonstrated leadership qualities and a commitment to the section’s mission. Savey is an associate attorney at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area.
Sasha Petrova JD’15 joined Tonkon Torp LLP’s Litigation Department in Portland in August 2022, where she focuses on appellate law and motion work. Petrova has handled a wide range of appellate and trial court issues at both the state and federal levels.
Hank Stebbins JD’15 was elected shareholder at Lane Powell in Portland, effective January 1, 2023. Stebbins represents public and private corporations in complex litigation and labor and employment matters in federal and state courts. He was named an “Oregon Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters in the area of Employment and Labor.
Bryant Sutton JD’15 was hired as an associate attorney with the Bothwell and Hamill law firm in Yakima in September 2022. He has six years of experience practicing workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law.
Lee Gilgan BA’12, JD’16 joined Tonkon Torp LLP’s Business Department in Portland in November 2022 as an associate. He focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions.
Brooks Westergard JD’16 was named a member attorney of Dickinson Wright in Reno, Nevada in January 2023. Westergard’s practice is focused on commercial litigation. He previously served as a law clerk to the Hon. Justice James W. Hardesty of the Supreme Court of Nevada.
Kevin Gleim JD’18 joined the Oregon Department of Justice as an assistant attorney general in its General Counsel Division in October 2022. He previously worked as a public records and special projects attorney for the office of former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.
Adin Johnson JD’19 was selected for the Rising Star Award by the Clark County Bar Association. The award is given to attorneys who have practiced for less than five years and is in recognition of outstanding achievements. Johnson is an associate with Philbrook Law Office in Washington.
Nicole Hetz JD’20 joined Liska Law in Portland, Oregon, as of counsel in April 2023. She focuses her practice on probate, trust administration and estate planning.
Alexandra Hutchinson JD’20 was elected to serve on the Emerging Professionals Board of the Blanchet House in March 2023. The board is focused on increasing awareness and support of the organization among a young demographic. Hutchinson has been an associate attorney with Miller Nash since March 2022.
Marry Karam JD’20 was highlighted in the March 2023 edition of the Multnomah Lawyer by the Multnomah Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Society. As an Arabic-speaking domestic relations attorney at Lissa Kaufman Law in Portland, Karam has played a valuable role in walking her Arab-American clients through domestic relations situations.
Stephen Smith JD/MBA’20 joined Campione Law, PA, in Jacksonville, Florida, as an associate attorney in April 2023. Campione Law specializes in personal injury and insurance law.
Nathaniel Woodward JD’20 was recently named the chairman for the Carbon County Democrats in Utah, a seat he will hold for the next two years.
Alexander Wilde JD’21 joined Seraph Legal, PA, in Tampa, Florida, as an associate attorney in March 2023. He represents consumers against predatory businesses engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices under Florida and Federal Consumer Protection Statutes.
Grace Hoffa JD’22 joined the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney in October 2022. She was first hired by the office in May 2021 as a certified law student working with both the Misdemeanor and Domestic Violence teams.
Mary K. Hughes receives Lestle J. Sparks Medallion
Inspired by Alaska’s North Star, Mary K. Hughes JD’74 was always going to be a lawyer just like her father, who was her North Star. Hughes’ family values of love, faith and education were instilled from a young age. They and her parents’ nurturing have led her through successful careers and decades of giving back to Alaska and her alma mater.
This year, Hughes received the Lestle J. Sparks Medallion. The award recognizes alumni whose lifetime loyalty and service to Willamette reflect the ideals of one of its most devoted alumni, Lestle J. Sparks, Class of 1919.
As a law student, Hughes was one of few who had experience in a legal setting. After working in her father’s office since age 12, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer.
“He taught me so much about life, about living for community and giving,” Hughes says. “‘It doesn’t matter how many people you help,’ he would say. ‘If you help one person, that’s good.’”
Hughes appreciated the small community at Willamette Law that reminded her of her hometown. After graduating, she began a law practice that included commercial transactional and litigation work. After 20+ years, she was appointed municipal attorney for the municipality of Anchorage. Later, she was the Alaska state director for the Office of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski JD’85 and chief administrative officer of her campaign for two elections.
Hughes is in her sixth decade of supporting Willamette and has served as a trustee, life trustee emeritus and on the College of Law’s Board of Visitors (now known as the Law Leadership Cabinet). Additionally, she is a regent for the University of Alaska and a director of its Foundation. She recently completed her tenure on the board of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, the first Alaskan to have been elected to the board.
A tireless supporter of establishing the College of Law as “Alaska’s Law School,” Hughes enjoys connecting with students prior to, during and after their law school journey.
“It’s really simple,” Hughes says. “I want them to know Willamette.”
As far as the award, Hughes never expected to be nominated or win.
“I feel there are other people who deserve it more than me,” Hughes says, “but I am thankful and humbled.”
IN MEMORIAM
Benton “Ben” C. Flaxel LLB’58 died at home on October 10, 2022, at the age of 88. Flaxel was a lifelong resident of North Bend/ Coos Bay. He attended the University of Oregon, later earning his JD from Willamette Law. During his 50-year law career, he specialized in workers’ compensation, appearing numerous times before the Oregon Supreme Court, influencing the landscape of workers’ compensation law in the state. He married Julie Newell White in 1966 and was a lifelong Roman Catholic and member of several community organizations. He was an avid duck hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening at his family cabin and traveling.
James “Jim” Garrett LLB’58 passed away at age 91 on June 1, 2023, after a 14-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born and raised in Oregon and attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland. He spent two years in the U.S. Army and then attended Willamette Law. During that time, he met Margaret Bolt, who he married in 1961, and Lee Crawford, a Salem attorney who he decided to partner with. The law firm came to be known as Garrett Hemann and Robertson, and for many years, Garrett was managing partner. As a lawyer, he was known for his ethics and professionalism. He served on public volunteer boards and committees, in addition to being involved in the Boy Scouts. He was a loving father, grandfather and husband, and in retirement, enjoyed traveling, skiing, singing and delivering Meals on Wheels.
The Hon. Kevin W. Midlam BS’61, JD’63 passed away at age 83 on June 21, 2023, in Carlsbad, California, of renal failure. He was born in Ohio, moving to Bend, Oregon, when he was young. He attended Willamette University and Willamette Law, then ventured to San Diego to start a long and distinguished career in law. He was a founding partner in the firm of Ault, Midlam & Reynolds, where he remained until his appointment to the San Diego Superior Court, on which he served from 1988 to 1995. While practicing, he was very active in local and state bar activities. He earned a stellar reputation for fairness, decisiveness and efficiency and was well-known for giving both sides a fair opportunity to be heard. He enjoyed road-tripping with his wife, Cindy, around the U.S., visiting grandsons in Kansas, golfing, reading and completing crosswords and jigsaw puzzles.
Edward Lewis JD’64 died January 13, 2023, in Portland, surrounded by his children. He attended Oregon State University, where he met and married Joan Osko. They had three children together before divorcing. Lewis graduated from Willamette Law ranked first in his class. Following law school, he served in Vietnam. Upon his return, he started his legal career in California, eventually moving to Beaverton, Oregon, to work as a corporate attorney for NW Acceptance Co. and in various roles for Tektronix Inc. over 28 years. Lewis was respected for his fairness and integrity. His grandchildren were one of his greatest joys. He also enjoyed seeing the world by bicycle and loved the outdoors.
William F. “Bill” Schulte JD’66, highly regarded domestic relations mediator and attorney, passed away February 14, 2023, from cancer. Schulte graduated from Whitman College in 1963 before earning his law degree. Following two years at a firm in Eugene, he served as a deputy district attorney in Multnomah County before joining a private law firm that ultimately became Schulte, Anderson, Downes, Aronson & Bittner. He retired in 2019, having received several honors and awards and mentoring many younger lawyers over the years. Known for his sage advice, good humor and kindness, he was a voracious reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, word games, gardening, biking, walking, golf and travel.
Crispin “Cris” Leigh Smith JD’66 passed away at age 81 on September 15, 2022, at his home in Texas. Smith grew up in Whittier, California, and was always happiest playing sports. He graduated from Principia College and Willamette Law, embarking on a life of service to his country through a career with the FBI. In Houston, he met the love of his life, Linda Anderson, and they later moved to Chicago. Together, they welcomed three children and returned to Houston, where they raised their family. Smith took mandatory retirement in 1999 but continued his service, doing investigative work for another 13 years. He was proud to serve the Bureau for 50 years. He spent his retirement with Linda in Lake Conroe, Texas.
Norman Phillips II JD’68 died March 24, 2023, at the age of 80. Phillips was born and raised in Portland. At age eight, he met his future wife, Marilyn, and the later high school sweethearts were married in 1966, raising three children. Phillips received his law degree in 1968, continuing his education at New York University, where he earned a master’s in tax law. He and Marilyn lived in McMinnville and Portland, Oregon, where he specialized in tax and estate planning before retiring in 2002. Phillips had a strong work ethic and was always up for adventure and mischief. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time at the beach in Rockaway, as well as in central Oregon and other travel destinations. He and Marilyn shared a lifetime of memories, and he loved his family and friends fiercely.
Order in the Court
This section includes some Willamette Law graduates recently appointed to, elected to or retired from judicial positions, although it is not a comprehensive list. Many Willamette Law alumni serve or have served in judicial positions across the country.
OREGON
Judge Norman Hill JD’94, who is the presiding judge in Oregon’s 12th Judicial District, was honored with Oregon’s Lifetime Contribution Award in October 2022. Oregon’s previous Chief Justice Martha Walters bestowed the award in recognition of Hill’s achievement in juvenile law and child welfare. Hill has served on the bench since 2012. He also teaches at Willamette Law as a distinguished professor from practice.
Judge Matthew Muenchrath JD’97 was Gov. Tina Kotek’s first judicial appointment as governor, filling a vacancy on the Coos County Circuit Court beginning in June 2023. He served as a part-time municipal judge for the last six years and is a former councilman and mayor of Coquille. He has been a part of the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps and Navy Reserve since 1997, where he currently holds the rank of captain.
Judge Stephen Hedlund JD’02 was appointed by former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to the Klamath County Circuit Court in December 2022. He filled a vacancy created by Judge Daniel Bunch’s retirement. Hedlund has spent his entire law career in Klamath Falls. He previously worked for the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office and in private practice, focusing on indigent defense work. Since 2016, he had served as a pro tem judge for the City of Klamath Falls Municipal Court. Hedlund’s appointment was effective December 31, 2022.
Judge Amy Queen JD’04 was elected to the position 14 judicial seat in Marion County Circuit Court in November 2022, with her term beginning in January 2023. She previously served in the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted all kinds of crime and was promoted to trial team leader on the Domestic Violence Team.
IN MEMORIAM CONT.
Frank “Peter” De Luca JD’75 passed away at age 76 in Hailey, Idaho. Following his graduation from the College of Idaho, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War. Later, he graduated from Willamette Law and began his career as a labor lawyer, serving as an attorney for the Oregon Public Employees Union, assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice, and administrator of the Labor Relations Division for the State of Oregon. In 1996, he left the practice of law to become the administrator of Oregon OSHA for 10 years. De Luca was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and conservationist. He had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, rafting, hiking and traveling. He was the life of the party and never ran out of stories to tell.
Frank “Peter” De Luca JD’75 passed away at age 76 in Hailey, Idaho. Following his graduation from the College of Idaho, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War. Later, he graduated from Willamette Law and began his career as a labor lawyer, serving as an attorney for the Oregon Public Employees Union, assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice, and administrator of the Labor Relations Division for the State of Oregon. In 1996, he left the practice of law to become the administrator of Oregon OSHA for 10 years. De Luca was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and conservationist. He had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, rafting, hiking and traveling. He was the life of the party and never ran out of stories to tell.
Marc Winter JD’78 passed away at home on August 29, 2022, at age 69. He attended Linfield College and Willamette Law. After law school, he began a career for the IRS and settled in Santa Monica, California, where he met his wife, Janet. They were married in 1983 and had two children. Winter formed a Claremont tax law firm, Taylor, Simonson & Winter LLP with two former IRS colleagues. He and his family were involved in the community, and he was an active member of Claremont Rotary Club for more than 20 years. He had a love for music and was a talented bass guitarist and singer, helping form The Amazing Tonebenders, a classic rock band, when his children left for college. After retiring in 2018, he and Janet enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing with grandkids, traveling and serving at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills.
Paul Brown JD’85 died February 4, 2023, at age 64. He was born and raised in Roseburg, Oregon, later earning his JD at Willamette Law. While there, he was class president. After law school, he worked for Basco Logging for 26 years. In 2012, he started his own business, Paul Brown’s Mow and Go. He loved his customers and was willing to go the extra mile for them. Brown had a love of God throughout his life and was a member of Sutherlin Family Church, along with his wife, Marsha. They found happiness enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Brown loved sports and long-distance running. He was fiercely loyal to his friends, loved his country, cars and politics, and was an avid volunteer. He had a heart of gold, unmatched enthusiasm and a warm laugh.
Giving back to Willamette Law
For three academic years, Cecilia “Cissy” Lee JD’86 traveled to Salem from Reno, Nevada, weekly for 13 weeks, teaching a class as an adjunct professor in Bankruptcy Law.
Having always wanted the opportunity to teach, she couldn’t turn then-Dean Curtis Bridgeman down when a professor was needed. In the meantime, she continued running a firm and practicing as an attorney full-time.
“I was biting off a lot. It was a lot of work,” Lee admits. “But it was also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my entire life.”
As a member of the school’s Leadership Cabinet since 2012, she has long been a supporter of Willamette Law.
The members of the Leadership Cabinet assist the dean as a sounding board. They offer advice on future direction, but also move it forward by serving as guest speakers and on alumni panels, connecting with students personally, attending events and fundraising.
“I feel very strongly that my life wouldn’t have turned out the way it did but for the advantages and experiences and professors that I felt really set me up for success,” she says.
Lee says there is incredible leadership within the group, and she enjoys seeing things move in a positive direction for the law school. Though she is still based in Reno as a newly retired attorney, she makes herself available to local prospective students and alumni to talk through questions they have about Willamette Law.
The school’s motto, ‘Non nobis solum nati sumus,’ ‘Not unto ourselves alone are we born,’ resonates with Lee and motivates her to give back to her alma mater.
“I think it’s something that is very easy in a cynical world to forget that we didn’t just land somewhere on the planet and find ourselves successful and happy and with accomplishments — there were a lot of things that happened to make that possible,” Lee says. “Certainly in my life, the major driver, aside from my own family, has been my education. So it’s important to me to give back. Willamette has made that very easy for me with the Leadership Cabinet and opportunity to teach.”
