Endorsements
“SBUA Oregon gave me a broad and far-reaching experience in Oregon Energy Law. Being a Legal Extern with SBUA for a summer has helped me feel confident in applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real life. SBUA’s lead attorney in Oregon, Diane Henkels, taught me a lot about rate cases and the legal framework they operate around. As a Legal Extern I worked with experienced experts and industry professionals to advocate and fight for small businesses. I look forward to seeing SBUA continue as a great and growing organization that tirelessly fights for small business. I highly recommend the experience for a student interested in energy law.”
2021
“From time to time over the past 6 years I have contracted with Diane to work on a few limited civil issues in tribal courts in the State of Oregon. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked on issues in Indian Country that not only advance her client’s interests but also advance the development of tribal law within each tribal court in which we practiced. Diane is fair, communicates clearly, and provides well-thought-out feedback. Diane has many years of experience practicing in the tribal courts of Oregon. If you’re looking to practice in this area or find a lawyer that has a thorough knowledge of tribal law, I highly recommend working with her.”
Group photo of the 2019 OAME Youth Conference. Sam Brooks, OAME Founder and Board Chair, kneels center right.
2019 Pro Bono Award — Solo practitioner
Presented by Oregon Supreme Court Justice Martha Walters to Diane Henkels on October 24, 2019 at the 2019 Pro Bono Awards Gala. This award recognizes attorneys who provided the most pro bono work for low-income individuals in the previous year.
2017
Henkels Law LLC was one of two recipients of the Spirit of BESThq Award in recognition of valuable contributions to the BESThq, a Beaverton, Oregon based organization dedicated to supporting small business sustainability through relationship, empowerment, and inclusion. Diane Henkels co-chairs Voices, a small business advocacy arm of BESThq LLC, an Oregon Benefit Company.
BESThq, Spirit of BESThq Award, April 2017
We were co-counsel with Diane Henkels on a civil litigation action in tribal court and benefited from Diane’s knowledge of tribal law and tribal court practice. It was a pleasure working with Diane as a teammate because she is an excellent lawyer and we worked well together. Our client was happy with our joint representation throughout the two-year action and was pleased with the result. We look forward to being co-counsel with Diane again if the opportunity arises.
David Markowitz & Dallas DeLuca, Markowitz Herbold PC
Diane has been my lawyer for about 4 years now. I especially appreciate the quality of work and the level of service she consistently provides. Diane is a trustworthy and conscientious person whose work embodies the triple bottom line of sustainability in everything she does.
Maria Cahill, Principal & Sustainable Site Specialist
Green Girl Land Development Solutions LLC
www.greengirlpdx.comDiane Henkels was instrumental to Lincoln County’s beginning a wind energy feasibility study near the Coast. We would not have progressed as we did in this project without her work and knowledge of the subject matter assisting Lincoln County. Her knowledge of the players involved and understanding of, and approaches to, meeting the challenges of launching such a study were instrumental in the creation of the proposed study by the County. Her continuing persistence and approaches to meeting various challenges continue to support the County's efforts for considering both wind and solar feasibility projects. Mark Saelens, Lincoln County Sustainability and Solid Waste Management
We highly endorse this lawyer. We’ve worked with Diane for 4 or more years, and she’s been a key player in the success of our organization in Oregon. Her focus, dedication to client service, and professionalism make her an easy choice for representing Small Business Utility Advocates. She’s also enthusiastic about her work and has a high command of energy law!
James M. Birkelund, President, Small Business Utility Advocates