Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani presented on “Risks and Rewards of Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work – A Multicultural Perspective” to an audience of Oregon attorneys. The presentation was part of “Gathered & Engaged in the Gorge,” a Wellness Retreat for Lawyers Identifying as Women or Nonbinary hosted by The Oregon Attorney Assistance Program (OAAP). The OAAP provides free, confidential counseling assistance to lawyers, judges, and law students and regularly organizes support groups, workshops, CLEs, and educational programs.
Mehrbani reviewed what defines cultural identity – which includes factors ranging from education, to race, income, age, religion, appearance, and more. She discussed the culture of the legal profession, and the concept of white dominant cultural norms. She outlined how people’s cultural identity intersects with their experiences in the legal profession, how culturally competent lawyers can be better and more effective advocates for their clients, and how cultural competence can benefit the legal profession as a whole.
Mehrbani is Co-Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Intellectual Property and Information Privacy & Security practice groups. Her practice is focused on intellectual property, trademark registration and enforcement, and advising and litigating trademark portfolios for local, national, and international companies at all stages of growth. She speaks regularly on intellection property and data privacy matters, as well as on legal industry issues relating to DEI, imposterism, professionalism, and multiculturalism.
