Leslie D. Howell was raised in Eugene, Oregon. Leslie attended college at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon earning degrees in Latin American Studies and Spanish. Leslie earned her law degree from Willamette University College of Law in 2008.
Leslie joined OSBA in 2021. Prior to joining OSBA, she was a shareholder in a small firm in Dallas, Oregon focusing on advising and representing small businesses. Before that, she spent over eight years as a busy general practice attorney with a small law firm in Salem, Oregon. Leslie assisted clients with a variety of matters, including but not limited to: contract drafting, contract review, personal injury, civil litigation, and administrative actions. Leslie has also spent time as Hearings Officer for a governmental body, overseeing land use matters, garbage rate increases, and other administrative appeals.
At OSBA, Leslie will provide advice and trainings to member school districts, charter schools, ESDs, and community colleges. Leslie is admitted to practice law in the State of Oregon and in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.
Presentations
2022
The History and Legal Landscape of Race Discrimination in K-12 Public Schools, PACE Webinar
Every Student Belongs and Gender Identity in School Programs, Oregon City School District Equity Conference
The K-12 School Employment Contract Renewal/Non-Renewal Process, PACE Webinar
2021
Student off-campus Speech and School Districts in an age of Social Media, COSA School Law Conference
Oregon School Law and Finance, COSA School Law Conference
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Lincoln County School District Administrators, Lincoln County School District
Holidays—Religious Freedom v. Endorsement of Religion, PACE Webinar
The School's Role in Addressing Student Death by Suicide: Awareness, Prevention and Postvention, PACE Webinar
The School’s Legal Obligation to Prevent and Address Gender Identity Discrimination in Oregon’s Public Schools, OSPA Virtual Fall Summit Conference