Oregon Chief Justice Martha Walters
NOTE: We had previously planned to discuss solutions to Oregon's
financial crisis on this date. However, with significant legislation in
progress, we're postponing that discussion for after the Legislative
session.
Martha Walters is the first woman to preside over Oregon's highest
court. What was her path to becoming Oregon's 44th Chief Justice, what
barriers did she face along the way, and how does she think her
leadership might change the culture of the Oregon Supreme Court?
We'll also discuss the challenges courts across Oregon face as budgets
struggle to keep pace with change. How will we address crumbling
courthouses, changing technology, and greater security risks, all while
the public demand for the court's vital functions continues to
increase?
To join us, register below.
About Chief Justice Walters
Martha
L. Walters was elected by her colleagues as Oregon's 44th Chief Justice
and began service on July 1, 2018. Chief Justice Walters joined the
Oregon Supreme Court as an Associate Justice in October 2006. Before
joining the court, Chief Justice Walters practiced law for almost 30
years, emphasizing employment law and civil litigation as well as
general civil practice. She practiced law in Eugene with Walters Romm
Chanti & Dickens, P.C. and its predecessor firms (1985 - 2006)
and with Harrang, Swanson, Long & Wilkinson, P.C. and its
predecessor firms (1977 - 85).
In 2007, after four years in other leadership positions, Chief Justice
Walters was elected to a two-year term as the first woman president of
the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. She
joined the Conference of more than 300 members in 1992 as one of
Oregon's four commissioners. The Commission is a nonprofit organization
that has worked to make state laws more uniform since 1892.
A member of the Oregon State Bar since 1977, Chief Justice Walters has
served in leadership positions and on many bar committees and task
forces. She is also a regular speaker, instructor, and author on the law
and law improvement, including teaching law school classes, speaking at
continuing legal education programs, and teaching for the
Sakhalin/Oregon Rule of Law partnership.
Moderator
Chris Costantino helps clients
navigate the complex and emotionally challenging territory of family
law in their personal lives and family businesses for the law firm
Samuels Yoelin Kantor. She is the 2019 President of the Oregon State Bar
and began serving on the OSB Board of Governors in 2016.
Her trademark philosophy—love your children, protect your assets, and
preserve your legacy—guides her law practice as she helps clients with a
number of legal issues including: divorce and dissolution of domestic
partnerships; prenuptial and domestic partner agreements; contested
custody, child and spousal support; grandparents’ rights; contested
guardianships and conservatorships; and trust litigation. An experienced
public speaker who also writes about family law topics, Chris is often
called upon to speak for other organizations, such as Brighton Jones and
the Oregon Law Institute.
Chris grew up in Rhode Island, and worked as a litigation paralegal in
Boston and Washington D.C. before moving to Oregon. She graduated from
Willamette University College of Law. An entrepreneur at heart, when not
practicing law, Chris enjoys cooking, playing the occasional round of
golf, and assisting her wife as co-owner of Couture Cocktails, Inc., a
Portland-based producer of high quality bottled classic cocktails.
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