Shayda Zaerpoor Le recently joined the ABF Board of Directors. Le is currently a Partner at Barran Liebman in Portland, OR, where her practice focuses on a wide range of employment issues and litigation. She serves on the American Bar Association Board of Governors and is actively involved with the ABA Young Lawyer’s Division, currently serving as a member of its Executive Committee. She is a Past President of the Multnomah Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, and also served as the Board’s Delegate to the American Bar Association. As part of her commitment to justice and equity, Shayda was a Co-Chair of the Campaign for Equal Justice, which is the fundraising arm for Legal Aid Services of Oregon. Outside of her involvement with the ABA, she is a Board Member for the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, has served as an adjunct professor for graduate classes at Lewis and Clark College and is a proud member of the Andisheh Center for Iranian cultural heritage and is a Past-President of its Board of Directors.
What does being a Fellow mean to you?
To me, being a fellow means a commitment to supporting the advancement of the law through research and critical study. More personally, it means that I benefit, as in individual lawyer and as a member of this profession, from the work of the ABF, the knowledge it disseminates, the programs it organizes, and the events it holds which bring professionals together for collaboration and betterment.
Where do you consider your hometown and what is your favorite thing about it?
My home is Portland, Oregon. We are a smaller big city, and it still has that feel. I love the unique neighborhoods, the incredible access to nature, the committed business community, the incredible food, and the people who are quirky, creative, and working to be stewards of our environment.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in law?
Like most of us, I wanted to help make a difference, and fortunately, I get to do that on a daily basis as an employment lawyer—my niche and my focus are people. I love the opportunity to use reasoned argument not for division, but to change people’s hearts and minds and bring them to common cause.
If you hadn’t pursued a career in law, what would you have done?
I probably would have opened a bakery. It would have been a disaster, because I can’t bake. So then I would have hired someone talented to do the baking, and then I would have just eaten my own inventory. Total disaster.
What do you do in your free time?
My husband and I are new parents so “free time” is currently a squishy subject. We spend it learning the wonder and awe of a two-year-old, and rediscovering our city in a more child-friendly form. At some point we will travel and eat at restaurants again. Otherwise, I love reading, watching other people bake (see above), and sporadically learning (by necessity) how to undertake small to medium home repairs.
Who is your professional hero?
Paula Barran, one of the founding partners of my firm, Barran Liebman LLP. She is a lawyer’s lawyer, truly brilliant, dedicated to her craft, always committed to learning and bettering our practice, funny and engaging, and an incredible friend. And she’s just so, so nice.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I strongly believe that each of us as individuals, coming together collectively to serve the public, make up the fabric of this incredible profession. I am honored by the opportunity to engage with and support the work of the American Bar Foundation and other bar organizations which serve that shared purpose.