Diversity Equity Inclusion > Community Involvement
Community Involvement
Tonkon Torp is proud to sponsor the following organizations that include diversity and service to underrepresented communities as part of their mission. In the last 20 years, Tonkon Torp has committed over three-quarters of a million dollars in financial contributions and sponsorships to organizations that promote racial equity and equality.
See the full list of our community involvement.
Advancing DEI in the Business and Legal Community
Tonkon Torp attorneys serve on many boards and committees that work to increase diversity and representation in business and the Oregon State Bar. Two notable examples of this service are:
Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani is a current member and former Chair of the Partners in Diversity (PID) Leadership Council. PID is a program of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute.
Tonkon Torp Partner Owen Blank serves on the Multnomah Bar Association Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. The Committee works to promote equality in the legal profession and justice system, and diversity in the practice of law.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Assisting marginalized adults and youths who have limited access to justice, and righting historical wrongs to promote an equitable justice system is a long-term pro bono passion at Tonkon Torp. We have recently released a series placing the spotlight on work being done in this area and invite you to read about our work with the Ramos Project, Legal Aid, and more.
Awards
Tonkon Torp attorneys have received numerous awards in recognition of their efforts to advance inclusion and diversity and to provide access to justice and legal services to communities of color and underrepresented individuals, including those listed below.
See the full list of our community involvement.
Advancing DEI in the Business and Legal Community
Tonkon Torp attorneys serve on many boards and committees that work to increase diversity and representation in business and the Oregon State Bar. Two notable examples of this service are:
Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani is a current member and former Chair of the Partners in Diversity (PID) Leadership Council. PID is a program of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute.
Tonkon Torp Partner Owen Blank serves on the Multnomah Bar Association Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. The Committee works to promote equality in the legal profession and justice system, and diversity in the practice of law.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Assisting marginalized adults and youths who have limited access to justice, and righting historical wrongs to promote an equitable justice system is a long-term pro bono passion at Tonkon Torp. We have recently released a series placing the spotlight on work being done in this area and invite you to read about our work with the Ramos Project, Legal Aid, and more.
Awards
Tonkon Torp attorneys have received numerous awards in recognition of their efforts to advance inclusion and diversity and to provide access to justice and legal services to communities of color and underrepresented individuals, including those listed below.
- In 2011, seven Tonkon Torp professionals were recognized as Champions of Diversity for their work promoting diversity in the legal profession.
- In 2015, partner Parna Mehrbani was named a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal in part for her work with such community organizations as the Oregon Minority Law Association IMAGE program and Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls.
- In 2015, partner Owen Blank received the Multnomah Bar Association Pro Bono Award of Merit. Owen devotes significant hours each year to providing pro bono counsel to local nonprofits, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities. He has notably served Albina Head Start for decades, which supports families in the historic Black communities of North, Northeast, and Southeast Portland. Owen was also one of the earliest supporters of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs.
- Partner Darcy Norville was named a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal in 2019. In 2015, Darcy was the first woman elected to the role of Managing Partner at Tonkon Torp. She formed the firm's Diversity Task Force in 2004 and served as Chair of that Task Force, and the succeeding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
,for 15 years. - In 2019, Tonkon Torp presented the inaugural Don H. Marmaduke Pro Bono Service Award to partner Steven Wilker. Since he began working on ACLU matters in the early 2000s, Steven has committed well over 3,000 hours of pro bono service to ACLU clients as a cooperating attorney, and in connection with his service on the ACLU of Oregon Board and Lawyers Committee.
- In 2020, partner James Hein was honored with the Multnomah Bar Association Pro Bono Award of Merit. James is Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Pro Bono Committee and has provided significant pro bono service for Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Law Center. He also shares his business law acumen as a pro bono volunteer for the Small Business Legal Clinic at Lewis & Clark Law School.
- In 2021, partner Parna Mehrbani was honored with the Multnomah Bar Association Diversity Award in recognition of her commitment to fostering and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the legal profession.