Portland Partner Receives Multnomah Bar Association’s 2022 Pro Bono Award of Merit

Fisher Phillips, one of the country’s preeminent labor and employment law firms representing employers, is proud to announce that Portland Partner, Stephen Scott, has received the Multnomah Bar Association’s (MBA’s) 2022 Pro Bono Award of Merit.

The yearly award recognizes lawyers who have exhibited the highest standards of commitment to increasing access to justice within Oregon to those unable to afford legal assistance or those from communities underserved by the legal profession

Stephen earned this year’s award based on his dedicated pro bono service, which recently culminated in a victory for his client before the Oregon Supreme Court. That case involved a 1992 decision by the Oregon Supreme Court to uphold the denial of Robert Parker Jr. to the Oregon bar despite the fact that Mr. Parker successfully passed the written portion of the exam. At the time, the Board of Bar Examiners recommended that Mr. Parker’s application be denied based on accusations that were never substantiated, and an initial review of those allegations uncovered references to interracial dating and the fact that Mr. Parker was a Black Muslim – details that were rooted in systemic bias against minorities and irrelevant to the case. Having heard about these details, Stephen took Mr. Parker’s case and dedicated five-years of pro bono service to proving that the denial of admission was riddled with well-documented bias, conflicts of interest, and other irregularities. In December 2021 the Oregon Supreme Court agreed, overturned its original decision, and finally admitted Mr. Parker to the bar.

“Fisher Phillips strives to make a positive difference in the communities where we live and work, so it makes me very proud to see one of our local partners receive this award for his service and pro bono contributions in the region,” said Clarence Belnavis, Regional Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips’ Portland office. “Stephen made it his mission to right a past wrong and restore justice for Mr. Parker and all the underrepresented minorities in the Oregon bar. We should all follow Stephen’s lead and figure out how we can give back to our communities while promoting justice along the way.”