Photo credit: White Lion Photography & Design
Statewide Administrative Staff
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.
Lori Alton is the Statewide Administrator and Pro Bono Manager for Oregon Law Center. She helps our offices around the state run smoothly for clients through her administrative work and helps create relationships with lawyers who volunteer their time free of charge to low income clients. Lori grew up in small copper mining towns in Arizona, after receiving her undergraduate degree she served in the US Army in the logistics field, leaving the service as a Captain. She then moved on to law school, coming to work at Oregon Law Center in 1996. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her law degree from Humphreys College School of Law. She loves to read, be active outside and play with her two dogs, Sandy and Kula.
Kristy Wood is the Director of Operations for Oregon Law Center.
Kristy Wood attended Oregon State University where she received a Master’s Degree in Communications. She started her career as one of the first staff of CASA for Children in Oregon. After working as a Development Director for the Meals on Wheels program she was hired as the Development Director for New Avenues for Youth. She was then joined the new non-profit Community Warehouse where she worked as the first Executive Director for twelve years. She was also the first Executive Director of Guardian Partners where she spent five years working with the legal community to help end abuse of those under guardianship care.
Throughout her career, she has successfully help grow non-profits into thriving organizations by developing successful fundraising programs and strong operating systems. She has a particular passion for outreach and communications that help the community understand the important work of non-profits in helping our most vulnerable citizens.
In her new role as Director of Operations for the Oregon Law Center, Kristy is responsible for overseeing daily operations, pro bono programs, grants management and technology.
Sarah DeMartino joined Oregon Law Center in 2008 as the Financial/HR Specialist until 2016, when she moved into the role of Chief Financial Officer.
Sarah grew up in Springfield, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon where she majored in English Literature. In 1996 she moved to Portland and started employment at the American Red Cross – Oregon Trail Chapter. After working in various roles she found her niche in the accounting department. This is where she realized she wanted to maintain a career in the nonprofit sector. After leaving the Red Cross, she was hired at OLC and went back to school to receive a Post-Baccalaureate Accounting degree from Portland State University. She enjoys being behind the scenes, supporting those on the front lines so they can focus on fulfilling the mission of the Oregon Law Center.
