April 16, 2018

23rd Annual Business Law Event Honors Ambyr O’Donnell, Students

Dean Jennifer Johnson presented the Distinguished Business Law Graduate award to alum Ambyr O’Donnell ’01 at the 23rd annual Business Law Spring Luncheon.

Dean Jennifer Johnson presented the Distinguished Business Law Graduate award to alum Ambyr O’Donnell ’01 at the 23rd annual Business Law Spring Luncheon on April 12. The event also celebrated the accomplishments of the law school’s students and thanked members of the community who lend time, resources, and talents to the Business Law Program.

O’Donnell has dedicated her legal career to advising technology companies. She is a leader in the professional community, and among other things served as a chair of the Business Law Section of the Oregon State Bar and is a member of the Law School’s Board of Visitors. In 2013, the Association of Corporate Counsel named O’Donnell as one of its “Top 10 30-Somethings.”

She joined Tripwire – a cybersecurity software company with headquarters in Portland – as its first in-house lawyer in 2010. O’Donnell now serves as the first general counsel of the Industrial Platform of Tripwire’s parent company, Belden Inc.

Her acceptance speech emphasized the importance of empowering women in technology, and about the need for those hiring in the field to take a chance on women and diverse candidates.

Lewis & Clark Law professor Lydia Loren recognized student efforts at the luncheon and commended their contributions to the business law program. Loren highlighted the accomplishments of the business law scholarship recipients, leaders of student groups and the managing boards of the Lewis & Clark Law Review. Originally founded as the “Journal of Small and Emerging Business Law,” the general-purpose law review is now ranked No. 40 in the nation among general interest law reviews.

Also noted for recognition was the Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC) and Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) in downtown Portland. The SBLC provides a broad range of legal services to emerging businesses and has recently expanded to provide advice on patent matters. The LITC represents clients of lesser means in controversies with the Internal Revenue Service. The two clinics serve more than 350 clients a year.