Beth has been a vocal advocate for gay and lesbian rights for decades, and has won several awards for her involvement in protecting gay men and lesbians. She has performed innumerable hours of pro bono work seeking equality for the LGBT community, including same-sex marriage.  She is a sought after speaker on the subject of marriage equality, and has appeared in numerous radio  and newspaper articles.  She has been involved in litigation on a wide range of other types of discrimination cases, including sexual orientation, race, age, gender, and national origin.

Beth understands the needs of nontraditional families and the assistance and safeguards they need to create, maintain and protect themselves. Whether it is assisting in adoptions, surrogacy, or unique custody arrangements; drafting partnership agreements, or helping couples wishing to dissolve domestic partnership relationships, you can count on Beth to be knowledgeable, supportive, and compassionate.  Beth is an advocate of collaborative dissolutions, but the firm is ready and willing to litigate in those circumstances where mutual agreement cannot be reached.

Outside of her legal practice, Beth is the proud mother of two young sons with her Partner Christine.  Beth enjoys biking, hiking and boating.  She was a founding member of the Basic Rights Legal Group and still commits significant time to that organization.  She was asked by the Oregon state Bar to write the section of LGBT rights for the OSB website.  She has been on the executive committee of the Diversity Section of the Oregon State Bar and is a graduate of the Leadership Fellow Program of the Bar. She is also a member of the Portland Area Business Association.

Beth is licensed in the states of Oregon and Washington, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She is a member of the Multnomah Bar Association, the Oregon State Bar, Oregon Women Lawyers, and the Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association.

Areas of Practice:

• Adoption (second parent, step-parent, independent and international adoptions)
• Surrogacy, Sperm Donor, Egg Donor Arrangements
• Partnership Agreements
• Registration of Domestic Partnership counsel
• Gay Rights

Bar Admissions:

• Oregon, 1996
• Washington
• U.S. District Court District of Oregon
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Education:

• Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon, May, 1996
• Juris Doctorate

Published Works:

• Same-Sex Marriage: A Conflict of Laws Analysis for Oregon, Willamette Law Review, Volume 32, # 3, 1996

Honors and Awards:

• Oregon Gay & Lesbian Law Association Award of Merit
• Oregon Gay & Lesbian Law Association Diamond Jubilee Award
• Basic Rights Oregon Superhero Award

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Oregon Women Lawyers
• Multnomah Bar Association
• Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association
• Portland Area Business Association

Bar Activities:

• Executive Committee Member of the Oregon State Bar Diversity Section
• Leadership Fellow of the Oregon State Bar