Each year the Portland Business Journal recognizes 40 rising business stars under the age of 40 for their leadership in business and service to the community. The people named to the “40 Under 40” list are considered to be among the most accomplished young executives in Portland. Hundreds of nominations are sent to the paper each year by readers before its editorial staff selects the winners. Among the 2010 honorees were three Lewis & Clark Law School alumni:
Jerry Carleton ’07 is an associate at Bullivant Houser Bailey, where he focuses his practice on counseling both public and private emerging and growth-stage companies on corporate, finance, and securities issues. Carleton also has experience with intellectual property matters, including trademark, copyright, and patent issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Carleton cofounded Keen Mobility, a company that designs, produces, and distributes equipment for people with disabilities. Keen was named to the Portland Business Journal’s list of fastest growing private companies for three consecutive years and Inc. Magazine’s fastest 500 for two consecutive years. Carleton currently sits on 10 corporate or nonprofit boards in Portland, including Saint Child, a home for pregnant and unwed young women, and Incight, an organization he cofounded that provides resources to educate and employ people with disabilities. He also serves on the Law School’s Board of Visitors.
Heather Kmetz ’00 is a tax lawyer at Sussman Shank and serves as chair of the firm’s tax group. Her practice focuses on assisting individuals and businesses in establishing tax-sensitive wealth preservation plans and transactions. She also serves as outside corporate counsel for a variety of closely held businesses, helping them to develop and transition their business. Kmetz earned a degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She pursued a career in nonprofit development and public relations prior to receiving her law degree and a federal certificate in taxation from the Law School.
Kmetz is active in the work of regional civic organizations, including the Oregon Business Association, a nonpartisan statewide business coalition that seeks to build Oregon’s long-term economic competitiveness; the City Club of Portland, an education- and research-based civic organization dedicated to community service, public affairs, and leadership development; and the New Progressive Network (doing business as the Oregon Bus Project), a progressive, nonpartisan organization that develops and promotes positive public policy in the areas of education, environmental protection, equal rights, equality of economy, health care, and election reform. Additionally, she serves on the Northwestern University Alumni Admission Council.
Darius Hartwell ’00 is a partner at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, where he focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and securities law. Hartwell represents a broad spectrum of clients in the transactional setting, as well as providing general corporate counsel on an ongoing basis. He is a member of the board of directors of the Portland Farmers Market, which is a collection of six urban green markets that serve up to 25,000 shoppers per week. Hartwell is active with the Law School’s Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC), providing pro bono legal services to economically disadvantaged local entrepreneurs. In 2008, Hartwell received the SBLC’s first Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award. Hartwell also was named among the Oregon Rising Stars by Super Lawyers in 2008 and 2009.
