Monica Goracke joined Oregon Law Center in 2005 as a staff attorney and served as managing attorney of the Portland Regional Office from 2009 until 2018. Monica was raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, and began her legal aid career as a student volunteer with the Grants Pass legal aid office. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and Williams College. Between college and law school, she worked as a Jesuit Volunteer helping homeless clients with mental disabilities at a residential treatment program. After law school, Monica clerked for United States District Judge Myron H. Thompson in Montgomery, Alabama, and then worked as a staff attorney for three years at Disability Rights Advocates in California. During her career, Monica has represented people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, immigrants, and other clients in state and federal court, conducted outreach and community presentations, and worked with local and state agency staff and elected officials to advocate for policies that improve low-income people’s lives. As Executive Director, Monica is responsible for leading Oregon Law Center’s ongoing planning efforts and implementation of our strategic vision; ensuring the continued provision of high quality legal representation and systemic advocacy; leading partnerships with community organizations, funders, and the private bar; building strong relationships with leaders in the judicial, legislative, and administrative branches of state and federal government; and maintaining stable revenue and strong financial systems.