Anna Sortun Confirmed to Oregon Government Ethics Commission

On November 20, the Oregon State Senate approved Governor Kate Brown’s appointment of Tonkon Torp partner Anna Sortun to serve as a Commissioner on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC).

Speaking about her service Anna said, “I’m looking forward to working with my fellow Commissioners on important issues relating to Oregon government ethics laws. I’m proud to work for a firm that encourages its lawyers to engage in public service in addition to our day-to-day practice, and I appreciate my partners’ support for this new role.”

The nine-member OGEC, established in 1974, meets every six weeks, and is charged with enforcing government ethics laws. Oregon government ethics laws prohibit public officials from using their office for financial gain, and require the public disclosure of economic conflicts of interest. The OGEC also enforces state laws which require lobbyists and the entities they represent to register and periodically report their expenditures. The OGEC has additional jurisdiction over the executive session provisions of public meetings laws.

As Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department, Anna has a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice that encompasses consumer protection matters, disputes between business owners, and complex tort cases. In her 14 years of practice, Anna has tried more than a dozen jury trials to verdict in state and federal court and has resolved dozens more short of trial, through motions practice or settlement. Anna regularly counsels clients facing closely-held business disputes prior to litigation.