Services & Industries
Education
J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2010
B.A., University of Puget Sound, 2005
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Maureen is an attorney in Tonkon Torp’s Government Relations & Public Policy Practice Group and Co-Chair of the Government Law & Disputes group. She has an extensive background in Oregon legislative-level matters. In her nine years serving Oregon lawmakers, most recently as a Senior Deputy Legislative Counsel, Maureen provided nonpartisan, policy-neutral legal advice and legislative drafting services to the 90 members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
For example, she was the lead nonpartisan legislative counsel attorney on all carbon pricing legislation in Oregon from 2015-2020. She has also been involved in many other issues involving everything from air toxics to product stewardship and broadband accessibility.
Oregon Capitol Insider called Maureen “…among the most influential Capitol insiders whom most Oregonians have never heard of.”
Through her work, Maureen has developed the ability to see two steps ahead in legislative matters and has an exceptional eye for detail, which provides her clients with unique strategic insight when navigating legally and politically complex legislative discussions.
She advises a wide variety of clients, including trade associations throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. She often provides her input in early discussions between stakeholders before they become too tied to language that may not fit within Oregon’s statutory drafting conventions—helping them avoid last-minute surprises that could jeopardize efforts.
Some of the specific ways Maureen serves clients in private practice include:
- Drafting legislative text, including translating the terms of a negotiated agreement into legally compliant legislative text
- Analyzing legislative text
- Providing written analysis of legislative text for use in legislative discussions
- Oregon state and local government initiative drafting, ordinance challenges and ballot title challenges
- Election law
- Oregon Constitutional and Statutory interpretation
- Advice and counsel on state and local political or governmental processes
- Select appellate matters regarding Oregon and local policymaking, politics, and election law
- Legislative and administrative government relations advocacy (traditional lobbying)
- Oregon administrative law and litigation
Maureen lives in Salem with her husband, son, and three cats. She is an avid organic gardener who enjoys slowly transforming her urban property into a permaculture paradise. She was also recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Mission Street Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit helping her hometown preserve the iconic public landmarks on or near Mission Street.
Representative Matters
Successful Oregon Pharmacy Board Rule Challange
Represented Oregon State Pharmacy Association in a rulemaking petition before the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, requesting repeal of a recently-adopted rule provision regarding pharmacist’s prohibited practices. Tonkon Torp submitted comments on behalf of OSPA in support of the petition and the Board, persuaded by Tonkon Torp’s arguments, voted to initiate rulemaking to repeal the provision.
Successful Ballot Challenge at Oregon Supreme Court
Represented Associated General Contractors in a ballot challenge for Initiative Petition 41 (IP 41). Following successful modifications requested in a comment letter submitted to the Attorney General (AG) for draft ballot title for IP 41, Tonkon Torp petitioned the Oregon Supreme Court for further refinement. The Court was persuaded by Tonkon Torp’s arguments and referred the ballot title back to the AG’s office, which made the required modifications.
Featured Work
Attorney Maureen McGee Contributes to Enactment of Private Forest Accord
For Government Relations & Solutions attorney Maureen McGee, the close of the busy 2022 Oregon legislative session brought more than one reason to celebrate. Through her work as neutral legislative drafting counsel, Maureen made key contributions to a three-bill package enacting concepts of the Private Forest Accord into Oregon law, a precedent-setting collaboration between the timber industry and environmental groups.
Tonkon Torp Wins Ballot Challenge at Oregon Supreme Court
Tonkon Torp’s Government Solutions Practice Group is celebrating the release of an Oregon Supreme Court opinion in favor of its client, Associated General Contractors.
Community Involvement & Activities
Mission Street Parks Conservancy
Board of Directors, President
Volunteer Gardener
Oregon State Bar House of Delegates
Member
Willamette Valley American Inn of Court
Member
Oregon State Bar New Lawyer Mentoring Program
Mentor
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon Women Lawyers
Recent News
Tonkon Torp Announces Government Law & Disputes Practice Group
Tonkon Torp is pleased to announce the launch of the Government Law & Disputes Practice Group. Maureen McGee and litigator Danny Newman will Co-Chair the group, which brings together a team of accomplished lawyers with political experience and the proven ability to navigate complex state and local legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues through policy development, lobbying, litigation, and counseling.
Maureen McGee Elected Board President of Mission Street Parks Conservancy
Tonkon Torp attorney Maureen McGee has been elected President of the Mission Street Parks Conservancy (MSPC) Board of Directors. MSPC helps the City of Salem preserve and celebrate the iconic public landscapes on and near Mission Street, with a current focus on Bush Pasture Park.
Maureen McGee Shares Legislative Update at OADC Fall Seminar
Tonkon Torp attorney Maureen McGee provided a legislative update at the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Fall Seminar on November 18.
Maureen McGee Joins Board of Directors for Mission Street Parks Conservancy
Tonkon Torp attorney Maureen McGee has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Mission Street Parks Conservancy (MSPC). MSPC helps the City of Salem preserve and celebrate the iconic public landscapes on and near Mission Street, with a current focus on Bush Pasture Park.
Tonkon Torp Welcomes Four Attorneys
Tonkon Torp LLP has welcomed four new attorneys to practice groups throughout the firm.
Recent Publications
As 2022 Legislative Session Ends, More Changes Coming to the Oregon Cannabis Industry
By Danica Foster and Maureen McGee – The 2022 Oregon Legislative Session closed on March 4 and with adjournment came a host of new laws applicable to the cannabis industry. We reviewed two of the most high profile pieces of legislation, HB 4016 (marijuana licensing moratoria) and SB1564 (local hemp grower licensing moratoria), in our previous article. For this piece we will get more into the weeds to discuss pending changes to farmworker overtime, and new requirements for recordkeeping, reporting, testing, and more.
New Cannabis Laws Coming, License Moratorium Is Back
By Danica Foster and Maureen McGee – It’s official: the moratorium on new cannabis licenses is back on. During their February 2022 session, the Oregon legislature passed HB 4016, which prohibits the issuance of new cannabis licenses of all types (except labs) until March 31, 2024. The Bill is also retroactive – any applications submitted after January 1, 2022 will be inactivated by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC).
Publications & Presentations
“Oregon Legislative Recap and Look Ahead for 2023,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, November 2022
“As 2022 Legislative Session Ends, More Changes Coming to the Oregon Cannabis Industry,” CannaBiz Update, March 2022
“New Cannabis Laws Coming, License Moratorium Is Back,” CannaBiz Update, March 2022