Class Notes - 1980s

1980

1981

Phil Schiliro JD has been named assistant to President Barack Obama for legislative affairs. A senior advisor to Obama’s presidential campaign, Schiliro worked in the U.S. Congress for more than 25 years, as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Henry Waxman and the House Oversight Committee, as policy director for former Senator Tom Daschle, and as staff director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Committees.

1982

Fred Jacobs BA reports, “All is well in the Philadelphia area, where I live with my wife and daughter. I recently took a position with an alternative investment administrator, SS&C. I split time between New York, Philly, and a few other places. Still playing tennis and will do so until my shoulder falls off.”

Stephen Simmonds BA earned his M.S. in bio-organic photochemistry (molecular UV skin carcinogenesis) in 1986. He went on to earn his M.Div. in 1991 and was ordained as an ELCA (Lutheran) pastor. He served during the 1990s in Fennimore and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and from 1998 to 2006 at the University of California at Davis. Since fall 2006 he has been on leave.

Monica Smith JD retired in August 2008; the law firm Smith Diamond & Olney announced its dissolution in conjunction with her retirement.

1983

Kim Abel JD, mayor of Port Orchard, Washington, from January 2004 through December 2007, is now a member of the Kitsap Community Resources Board, the Kitsap Baccalaureate Study Group, and the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, and is vice president of the Port Orchard Bay Street Association.

Turid Owren JD, an immigration attorney with Tonkon Torp, has been selected by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to serve on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Administrative Appeals Office Liaison Committee. Owren chaired the American Immigration Lawyers Association Nebraska Service Center Liaison Committee for two years, and last year she received an AILA presidential commendation for outstanding leadership in liaison. She has practiced immigration law since 1988 and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for immigration law.

1984

Kay Abramowitz JD has joined Ater Wynne as a new partner in the Portland office. Recognized for her expertise in succession and transfer issues found in family-owned businesses, Abramowitz is a frequent lecturer on the topic.

Steven Emerick JD was recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2009 in the areas of corporate law, equipment finance law, and securities law.

Paul Kaufman JD has joined enXco as vice president and general counsel. The company develops, constructs, operates, and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States. Kaufman formerly worked at Tonkon Torp and Ater Wynne in Portland, and for Iberdrola.

Daniel Lindahl JD has announced the opening of the Lindahl Law Firm. Formerly a shareholder at Bullivant Houser Bailey, Lindahl chaired the firm’s appellate department. He has been recognized by both Oregon Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America in the appellate law category.

Kathryn Smith Root JD was selected by her peers for inclusion in the 2008 edition of Oregon Super Lawyers in the family law area. Root was also appointed chair of the Multnomah Bar Association Golf Committee for 2009 and is a member of the law school’s Board of Alumni.

1985

David Trotter BS ‘85, MAT ‘96 played the tenor saxophone in the inaugural parade for President Barack Obama as a member of the Portland-based Get a Life Marching Band.

1986

Thomas Geiger BA says he is “still at the old ‘Flight Dynamics’–now Rockwell Collins Head-Up Guidance Systems, in Wilsonville–20 years in March!” He is in charge of all aspects related to corporate aircraft head-up displays and enhanced vision systems, from research and development through marketing, product introduction, and product support. He and his wife, Sherrie, live in Camas with their son Sam, 6. Their oldest son, Shane, 18, is at the University of Portland and runs for the Pilots.

1987

Lori Nugent JD recently presented at the American Conference Institute’s Cyber Risk Insurance Conference in Philadelphia. A member of the international firm Cozen O’Connor’s Chicago office, Nugent is head of the enterprise risks practice. Nugent has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers and was included by Business Insurance in its list of “women to watch” in 2006. She is also listed in A.M. Best’s 2002 review of people to watch in the insurance industry for her punitive damages defense experience.

Laura Schroeder JD has been elected to the board of directors of the U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, a multidisciplinary professional society. Schroeder was also one of three recipients of the 2008 Time Dedication Award presented by the Oregon Groundwater Association at its 60th anniversary dinner.

1988

Dana Campbell JD has moved with her family to Rochester, New York, where she has established the Campbell Law Firm. Campbell has spent most of the past decade working in the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Portland office. She continues to work for the ALDF and teaches an animal law class as an adjunct professor at Cornell Law School.

Nancy Thayer CAS ‘88 played the piccolo in the inaugural parade for President Barack Obama as a member of the Portland-based Get a Life Marching Band.

1989

Eden Rose Brown JD, a Salem native, recently purchased the former Salem Legal Group building on the corner of Liberty and Bush streets. The Law Office of Eden Rose Brown has moved into the landmark building, remodeled to include a strategic learning center for advisors, clients, and the community.

Lorie Harris Hancock JD has joined the central Oregon office of regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. Previously Hancock worked for the Bend law firm of Karnopp Petersen and Portland firm Tonkon Torp. She serves on the boards of Economic Development of Central Oregon and the Camp Sherman Historical Society. Hancock recently received a Cascade Business News Woman in Business award and was named the Camp Sherman Volunteer of the Year.