Liani Reeves has been selected as the 2023 Award of Merit recipient by the Oregon State Bar (OSB). The highest honor the OSB can bestow, the recipient is an Oregon lawyer who has made outstanding contributions to the bench, the bar, and the community-at-large. Liani was celebrated at the OSB’s Celebrating Oregon Lawyers awards dinner on October 25, 2023.
Throughout her career of over 20 years, Liani has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors as both in-house general counsel and as outside counsel. She has represented hundreds of clients ranging from start-up businesses to the Governor of Oregon. In each case, Liani works with clients to find the best strategy and outcome for each particular case and client.
“We celebrate Liani and her meaningful contributions to the profession, the Oregon State Bar, and community at large,” said Kieran Curley, managing partner. “Liani is an exceptional attorney, committed to the highest standards of professionalism. She is a dedicated advocate for her clients and community, and we’re lucky to have her on the MN team.”
In addition to her legal practice, Liani devotes significant time to issues involving women and minorities by actively engaging in organizations and associations throughout the community. In 2020, Liani was the first woman of color elected to serve as president of the Oregon State Bar; her term spanning a year that included a global pandemic, social unrest, and devastating wildfires.
Additionally, Liani advocates on issues impacting her community of international adoptees, including the importance of passing the Adoptee Citizenship Act which closes a gap for adult adoptees who came as children but whose parents failed to properly secure their citizenship. She routinely shares her story to raise awareness about adoptee issues through her service with The Immigrant Story, a nonprofit based out of Portland that builds inclusivity through storytelling and education.
“Being selected for the Award of Merit is an extreme honor for me,” Liani shared with the OSB. “It is a symbolic and real acknowledgement that I have found a community in the Oregon State Bar, and I hope shows that other people who come from underrepresented background can find the same.”
About Liani Reeves
Liani is an experienced employment attorney and litigator. She has extensive litigation experience, having taken numerous cases to a jury trial verdict, through arbitration, or to find a negotiated resolution.
She is often hired as an external investigator to conduct investigations into sensitive and high-profile matters, including sexual misconduct, ethics violations, and harassment and discrimination. Liani also conducts investigations under Title IX.
Liani provides advice and extensive training to employers on how to comply with their legal responsibilities and works with employers on how to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion values in the workplace. For public sector clients, she often advises on government ethics and transparency and constitutional issues.
