Thursday, October 23, 2008
Teri Miller, 503-205-2378
Miller Nash Partner Chris Helmer Named Distinguished Graduate
Portland, Ore. – Oct. 16, 2008 – Chris Helmer, partner at Miller Nash, one of the Pacific Northwest's largest multispecialty law firms focusing on business and litigation, has been recognized by the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College as the "2008 Distinguished Graduate". Helmer was selected from more than 7,000 alumni for the school's 35th annual distinguished graduate award.
"Chris is a gifted and versatile lawyer. She is a tireless worker and a determined leader who has helped pave the career paths of the countless people she has mentored," said Tom Sand, fellow distinguished graduate and partner at Miller Nash. "Miller Nash is proud to congratulate Chris on receiving this distinguished award; we could not name a more deserving candidate."
Northwestern School of Law's distinguished graduate award is given to a graduate who has used his or her degree to achieve a positive mark on their profession and whose contributions to the legal profession and the community have brought honor and distinction to the Law School. One of the first female partners at a major law firm in Portland, Ore., the distinguished graduate award recognizes her pioneering work to overcome gender barriers within the legal community and her commitment to international law.
Helmer has more than 34 years of litigation and business law experience with particular expertise in international transactions and litigation and arbitration. She joined Miller Nash as a law clerk in 1973 while attending Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. Helmer continued on with Miller Nash after graduating and passing the bar exam in 1974. In her tenure with the firm, she has been a practice group leader, served on Miller Nash's management committee and is currently the firm's recruiting partner.
Helmer graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in English from Washington State University. She went on to obtain her law degree, graduating cum laude, from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College and a Master of Laws in international law from Columbia University. Passionate about international education, Helmer serves on the board of the Oregon College of Art and Craft and on the Lewis & Clark Law School's Board of Visitors. She recently concluded service on the board and executive committee of the Oregon chapter of the World Affairs Council, the largest and most active U.S. nonprofit devoted to world affairs. Helmer was the first woman elected to the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors and the Oregon State Board of Bar Examiners. Additionally, she held an appointed position on the federal court Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. Helmer regularly teaches transnational litigation and arbitration at Lewis & Clark Law School.
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