Women deserve equal pay and respect in the workplace and should not have to face retaliation when fighting against discrimination.
The ACLU of Oregon is advocating on behalf of Oregon’s women public defense attorneys to halt discriminatory and hostile practices by the Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS).
What happened at OPDS?
Women attorneys shared concerns about pay inequity and retaliation at the Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS). The ACLU of Oregon asked for an investigation. OPDS has started an investigation by an outside investigator. We encourage everyone with information to participate in the investigation.
In August 2021, the ACLU of Oregon asked the Public Defense Services Commission (PDSC) to initiate an independent investigation of the Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS). We made this request after multiple women defense attorneys shared with us their experiences involving pay inequity and retaliation from OPDS. After we publicized this request for an investigation, several more women defense attorneys reached out to us with serious concerns about OPDS.
In response to our request, OPDS’ leadership at the time (Ed Jones, Interim Executive Director) engaged Jill Goldsmith, J.D. of Workplace Solutions Northwest to conduct an investigation.
The ACLU of Oregon is advocating on behalf of Oregon’s women public defense attorneys to halt discriminatory and hostile practices by the Office of Public Defense Services (PDSC).
What’s happening now?
At some point during 2022, the investigation stalled. In October 2022, the ACLU of Oregon wrote the PDSC to re-initiate and finish the investigation. The PDSC responded in November that the investigation has been reactivated following OPDS providing the records that Ms. Goldsmith had requested.
Ms. Goldsmith’s experience is set out at www.workplacesolutionsnw.com. She can be reached at jill@workplacesolutionsnw.com.
Timeline
Aug. 2021
The ACLU of Oregon requests investigation of complaints from women attorneys who experienced pay inequity and retaliation. OPDS hires third-party investigator Ms. Jill Goldsmith, J.D., to begin the investigation.
Oct. 2022
The ACLU of Oregon requests new leadership of OPDS to re-initiate the investigation, which had been stalled.
Nov. 2022
OPDS confirms the investigation has been reactivated
Our criminal justice system is critical to our democracy, civil liberties, and civil rights, and criminal defense attorneys are critical to the integrity and functionality of this system.
Please know: The ACLU of Oregon sees you, hears you, and supports you. You are not alone.
