UO School of Law to host symposium on women in law, business litigation

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Nov. 6, 2007) -- A symposium sponsored by the University of Oregon School of law will explore the lingering effects of the glass ceiling on female lawyers and entrepreneurs. "Women’s Work: Business, Business Law, and Business Litigation" starts at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, and concludes with a reception from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"Women have been chipping away at the glass ceiling for a long time," said Barbara Aldave, conference organizer. "But females in business and law are still paid less, have fewer spots in boardrooms and are underrepresented as partners in firms." Despite these trends, Aldave noted, many women have achieved success in both areas.

The symposium will feature an all-day line-up of these successful women -- mostly attorneys -- who will share their experiences in reaching the top of their professions. The free, public event will take place in Room 110, William W. Knight Law Center, 1515 Agate St. To register for the symposium call Laurie Strother, 541-346-0037.

Portland litigator Jody Stahancyk will give the keynote speech on "The Business of Law: How a Lady Can Make Money in the World’s Second-Oldest Profession." Stahancyk, an alumna of the UO School of Law, is the president and senior shareholder of Stahancyk, Kent, Johnson & Hook, one of Oregon's largest firms with a specialty in family law.

Other symposium participants include Carolyn Chambers, president and CEO, Chambers Communication Corporation; Carol Emory, founder, Legal Counsel International; Karen Burgess, partner, Taylor Dunham Burgess LLP; Tana Lin, Keller Rohrback Law Offices; and Jane Macon, partner, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. More than a dozen women lawyers and entrepreneurs are slated to speak. Detailed information on the speakers and the program can be found at http://www.law.uoregon.edu/org/biz/docs/womenswork.pdf.

The UO Center for Law and Entrepreneurship is sponsoring the symposium. The center is an endowed program at the School of Law that allows students to work directly with businesses in order to evaluate new technologies for possible commercialization. The center also sponsors special events for students interested in business law and entrepreneurship.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Credence Sol, 541-346-1665, csol@oregon.edu

Link: UO School of Law, http://www.law.uoregon.edu

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