Darleen Ortega
Former trustee
She / Her
The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.
Darleen is driven by the need to call people to understand the experiences of the marginalized and to help people find their authentic voices.
With first-hand experience navigating barriers that people from under-represented communities face, Darleen remains determined to help others succeed in the law.
“If you think you are working for justice and you are being rewarded and applauded without real struggle, you are not yet doing the work of justice.”
The first woman of color and the only Hispanic woman to serve as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals, Darleen has served on a host of legal boards and committees and on the boards of Open Adoption and Family Services, Northwest Health Foundation and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She mentors scores of law students and attorneys, speaking and writing frequently on topics related to diversity, inclusion and equity. She also writes film and theater criticism for the Portland Observer.
Darleen left Meyer's Board of Trustees in 2018.
She blogs at www.opinionatedjudge.blogspot.com