The PLF is pleased to announce that Nena Cook will become Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2020. Nena succeeds current CEO, Carol Bernick.

Nena has been a civil litigator in Oregon for more than 25 years.  Most of her legal career has been spent with two mid-sized Portland law firms, Ater Wynne LLP and Sussman Shank LLP.  The focus of her practice has been complex commercial litigation, appellate law, and defense of professional liability claims. She served as pro tem judge in Multnomah county from 2007 to 2012. She earned her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law in 1991 and a B.A. degree from Gonzaga University in 1988.

In addition to her law practice, Nena has served the legal profession and larger community in many other capacities. Throughout her career she has been active in statewide bar committees and sections, including the OSB Board of Governors. She was the OSB president in 2005. Her efforts included lobbying the legislature for adequate funding for the judiciary and legal aid. Nena also brings extensive management and leadership experience. She supervised various practice area departments and served on the management committee at the firms where she worked.

The PLF’s Board of Directors is confident that Nena’s extensive managerial experience, commitment to public service, and high regard within the legal community will continue to advance the PLF’s mission of providing mandatory professional liability protection for Oregon lawyers.