Stoel Rives Sponsors NFALA Conference in Seattle

Seattle, Wash. — Stoel Rives LLP was proud to sponsor the National Filipino American Lawyers Association Mid-Year Leadership Summit held in Seattle in July. The firm hosted events at its office, and partner John S. Laney participated in the summit as a founding member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) and board director of the Filipino Lawyers of Washington, the local NFALA affiliate.

A member of the host committee for the conference, Laney led the firm’s efforts during the conference. The first day’s events were hosted by Stoel Rives and included a board of governors meeting and a dinner for attendees. Additionally, Laney moderated a panel at Microsoft’s headquarters discussing the impact lawyers can make when working together with community groups and which used a case study involving a civil rights case important to the Filipino-American community and the related murders of two Filipino-Americans union leaders, Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes.

“The summit was an important opportunity for the Filipino American legal community to continue building relationships with the community,” said Laney. “I have been dedicated to NFALA since its founding, and I appreciate the support from my Stoel Rives colleagues in making this summit a success.”

Laney is committed to better representing minorities within the law, spending much of his time supporting National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)-affiliated organizations that include the Asian Bar Association of Washington, Filipino Lawyers of Washington and National Filipino American Lawyers Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and acquired his law degree from Seattle University School of Law.

As a partner in the corporate practice group, Laney represents clients in corporate governance matters; mergers and acquisitions; and corporate, securities and financing transactions, with an emphasis on mid-market transactions. Laney often serves companies in the energy, health care, manufacturing, and food and beverage industries, including clients such as Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.