Turid L. Owren

Education:
J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School, 1983
(Editor in Chief, Environmental Law)
B.A., Reed College, 1974

Languages:
Norwegian

Biography:

Turid has practiced immigration law since 1988.  She heads the firm's Immigration Practice Group, advising clients on employment-related immigration and naturalization.  Her client base includes both domestic and international companies, as well as individuals.

Turid currently serves as a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA") USCIS HQ Benefits and Policy Committee.  She serves as a contact person to the Administrative Appeals Office of the USCIS for immigration attorneys nationwide.  She is a past Chair of AILA's USCIS Nebraska Service Center Liaison Committee, a past Chair of the Oregon Chapter of AILA and served two years as a member of AILA's Board of Governors.  She is a speaker at AILA conferences both regionally and nationally.  Turid is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers and Partners USA, U.S. News and World Report, and Super Lawyers as one of Oregon's specialists in immigration law.

She has been active in the local bar throughout her career.  Turid has served as a mentor for young lawyers through the Multnomah Bar Association Mentor Program, a program she helped launch in 1993.  Turid is a past member of the Executive Committee of the International Law Section of the Oregon State Bar, a past Chair of the Multnomah Bar Association's Professionalism Committee and past President of the Young Lawyers Section of the Multnomah Bar Association. 

In the community, Turid currently serves as a member of the Oregon Chapter of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO).  She has served as Director of Mentors for Minds Matter of Portland, Inc., a program that helps highly motivated but economically disadvantaged high school students get into university sponsored summer programs and 4 year universities. Turid also served on a board at her children's elementary school and as legal advisor for more than 10 years to Friendly House, a neighborhood social services agency for senior citizens and families in transition.

Turid is married to E. Walter Van Valkenburg and is the mother of two children and a foster parent.  Her interests include education, parenting, jogging, cooking and traveling.

Professional Organizations:
American Immigration Lawyers Association
(Oregon Chapter Chair, 2000-2001)
Oregon State Bar
Multnomah Bar Association

Community Activities:
Women Presidents' Organization (2009-Present)
Minds Matter of Portland, Inc.
(Director of Mentors, 2006-2010)
Chapman Elementary School Site Council
(2000-2002; 2003 to 2005)
Reed College Women's Committee (Member; Chair, 1991-92)