Endorsements
“SBUA Oregon gave me a broad and far-reaching experience in Oregon Energy Law. Being a Legal Extern with SBUA for a summer has helped me feel confident in applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real life. SBUA’s lead attorney in Oregon, Diane Henkels, taught me a lot about rate cases and the legal framework they operate around. As a Legal Extern I worked with experienced experts and industry professionals to advocate and fight for small businesses. I look forward to seeing SBUA continue as a great and growing organization that tirelessly fights for small business. I highly recommend the experience for a student interested in energy law.”
2021
“From time to time over the past 6 years I have contracted with Diane to work on a few limited civil issues in tribal courts in the State of Oregon. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked on issues in Indian Country that not only advance her client’s interests but also advance the development of tribal law within each tribal court in which we practiced. Diane is fair, communicates clearly, and provides well-thought-out feedback. Diane has many years of experience practicing in the tribal courts of Oregon. If you’re looking to practice in this area or find a lawyer that has a thorough knowledge of tribal law, I highly recommend working with her.”
Group photo of the 2019 OAME Youth Conference. Sam Brooks, OAME Founder and Board Chair, kneels center right.
September 13, 2019
Diane Henkels
Henkels Law, LLCRE: OAME Youth Conference
Dear Diane,
On behalf of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME), we want to thank you, very much for Henkels Law, LLC support of the OAME Youth Programming, and our 2019 Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Conference.
Once again our Youth Entrepreneurship Academy Conference was a great success. We hosted 36 students ranging in age from 13 to 21, with a full day of activities building a business plan, and listening to a few informative speakers who added their personal experiences to their presentations, including the trades.
The agenda included speakers, Nathan Webster, NW & Associates, LLC Owner and CEO who spoke on Marketing and Social Media; Afton Walsh, and Julie Smith from Walsh Construction, who both shared their paths to being a Project Manager for Afton, and an Apprentice Laborer in the Trades for Julie. All were very well received and the students asked great questions.
Additionally, activities under the watchful eyes and guidance of our 23 fantastic and energetic volunteers; included activities like networking, building a business plan, a branding collage, and their business plan, which all led to a team presentation to our panel of judges who chose the first, second and third place teams for the cash prizes.
Sam Brooks, our Chair of the Board returned, and quizzed them on the points he had presented in the early morning opening, and awarded cash prizes. Every student went home with some kind of cash reward for their participation. We have attached a short PowerPoint with the group photo of the majority of the participants, and some of the activities for your review and to share with others on your staff. Additionally, included is a thank you, from some of the students. Overall, everyone the students and volunteers had a great experience!
Again, OAME thanks you for your support of our Youth Entrepreneurship Program, and the summer Youth Conference giving students the experience and knowledge to be successful in their future. As we always say “whether we like it or not, they will be our leaders someday”!
Sincerely,
Samuel Brooks
Chair of the BoardBill Prows
Director of Business Development, Events & Youth Programs2019 Pro Bono Award — Solo practitioner
Presented by Oregon Supreme Court Justice Martha Walters to Diane Henkels on October 24, 2019 at the 2019 Pro Bono Awards Gala. This award recognizes attorneys who provided the most pro bono work for low-income individuals in the previous year.
2017
Henkels Law LLC was one of two recipients of the Spirit of BESThq Award in recognition of valuable contributions to the BESThq, a Beaverton, Oregon based organization dedicated to supporting small business sustainability through relationship, empowerment, and inclusion. Diane Henkels co-chairs Voices, a small business advocacy arm of BESThq LLC, an Oregon Benefit Company.
BESThq, Spirit of BESThq Award, April 2017
We were co-counsel with Diane Henkels on a civil litigation action in tribal court and benefited from Diane’s knowledge of tribal law and tribal court practice. It was a pleasure working with Diane as a teammate because she is an excellent lawyer and we worked well together. Our client was happy with our joint representation throughout the two-year action and was pleased with the result. We look forward to being co-counsel with Diane again if the opportunity arises.
David Markowitz & Dallas DeLuca, Markowitz Herbold PC
Diane has been my lawyer for about 4 years now. I especially appreciate the quality of work and the level of service she consistently provides. Diane is a trustworthy and conscientious person whose work embodies the triple bottom line of sustainability in everything she does.
Maria Cahill, Principal & Sustainable Site Specialist
Green Girl Land Development Solutions LLC
www.greengirlpdx.comDiane Henkels was instrumental to Lincoln County’s beginning a wind energy feasibility study near the Coast. We would not have progressed as we did in this project without her work and knowledge of the subject matter assisting Lincoln County. Her knowledge of the players involved and understanding of, and approaches to, meeting the challenges of launching such a study were instrumental in the creation of the proposed study by the County. Her continuing persistence and approaches to meeting various challenges continue to support the County's efforts for considering both wind and solar feasibility projects. Mark Saelens, Lincoln County Sustainability and Solid Waste Management
We highly endorse this lawyer. We’ve worked with Diane for 4 or more years, and she’s been a key player in the success of our organization in Oregon. Her focus, dedication to client service, and professionalism make her an easy choice for representing Small Business Utility Advocates. She’s also enthusiastic about her work and has a high command of energy law!
James M. Birkelund, President, Small Business Utility Advocates