Miller Nash LLP partner Jollee Patterson was recently honored with the 2023 Award of Merit by the Multnomah Bar Association (MBA). This award is presented annually to lawyers who have made significant, recent contributions to the MBA’s mission of promoting justice through service, education, or leadership to the MBA, legal profession, or community. Patterson was recognized for her role as a founding member and chair of the MBA’s Bar Fellows Task Force which helped establish the Multnomah Bar Fellows Program. The program provides summer employment, scholarships, and mentoring to diverse law students attending Lewis & Clark Law School and the University of Oregon School of Law. Its goal is to increase the diversity of the Oregon State Bar and improve access to justice by fostering the professional growth of a new generation of skilled diverse lawyers. Patterson received this award at the MBA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 24.
“This award recognizes Jollee’s extensive contributions and service to the legal community, and her commitment to diversity through the support of Oregon law students,” said Kieran Curley, managing partner of Miller Nash. “We are lucky to work alongside Jollee and congratulate her in this accomplishment.”
With over 25 years of service, Patterson continues to actively participate in both professional and civic organizations throughout the community. Along with being a founding member of the MBA Bar Fellows program, Patterson also serves as chair of Miller Nash’s pro bono committee, where she helped establish, and participated in, the firm’s virtual pro bono clinic which provided legal services to low-income communities across Oregon. Patterson maintains her civic activities as a board member of the Classroom Law Project and mentor for the Portland State University Explore the Law program.
About Jollee Patterson
Patterson works with a wide range of education and public institutions, including public and private universities, community colleges, school districts, private schools, special districts, and other public entities. She advises clients in a wide variety of areas including employment, Title IX and other civil rights, constitutional issues, governance, public meetings and records, compliance audits and policies, and procedures. Throughout her career, Patterson has been an equity leader and continues to work closely with clients to advance their equity goals. Patterson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley before earning her law degree at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
