Leni is the founder and Director of the CLEAR Clinic, Director of the PCC Legal Resource Center, and part-time faculty in the PCC Paralegal Program. Leni founded and developed the CLEAR Clinic to provide legal services strategically targeted at reducing barriers to success. She has collaborated with a wide variety of stakeholders to provide a thoughtful, community-centered vision for the Clinic. Leni is committed to working toward increasing access to justice for our communities, and reducing the footprint and impact of systems of oppression. Leni tries to use her privilege to walk with community members in the struggle toward liberation. Leni grew up in Northeast Portland and is proud to serve her community.

Board President

Jonathan Ross is a dynamic leader with a passion for driving positive change and fostering inclusive communities. With a diverse background as a United States Marine Corps Veteran, small business owner, and Wyld’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Diversity Equity and Inclusion & Community Affairs Manager, Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in understanding and connecting with various communities. His commitment to making a positive impact on society remains unwavering, reflecting his belief that true success lies in empowering individuals and communities alike.

Board Secretary

Gus Patel-Tupper is a supervising attorney in the Policy Advocacy Clinic at Berkeley Law. He works with organizers, young people, and local groups in the Northwest and Mountain West to end racist and regressive financial penalties in the juvenile system. He is interested in racial and economic justice, social movements, and the political economy of law. He is especially interested in how law can make space for community responses to harm outside the legal system.

Board Treasurer

Michael Jian Qiu Zhang is an attorney working with the PCC Legal Resource Center and CLEAR Clinic. He is licensed to practice in Oregon and Washington, and previously worked at the Metropolitan Public Defender in Portland. He received his B.A. in Mathematics from Duke University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Emilie is an attorney in Portland, Oregon who specializes in criminal record expungement and the collateral consequences of contact with the criminal legal system. Before coming to Portland, Emilie volunteered in Chicago with Cabrini-Green Legal Aid, doing expungement work for four years. She has also worked as a labor lawyer and represented health care workers for over 15 years. Emilie worked to pass Measure 110 in Oregon and believes in repairing the damage done by the drug war, and taking people out of the criminal justice system, one at a time.

Lisa K. Bates, Ph.D. is Professor at Portland State University in the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning and in Black Studies. Her scholarship focuses on housing and urban policy and planning, using participatory action research as part of organizing for racial justice and housing rights. Dr. Bates’ practice at the intersection of art, urban planning, and radical geographic thought urges developing new visions of Black history, present, and possibility, and has been recognized with a Creative Capital fellowship.

Darrell is a certified community health worker with the Urban League of Portland. He is a Portland native, with a love for fishing and cooking. Darrell loves working within his community, to help support others to achieve their goals and dreams. Darrell is passionate about advocating for and empowering folks who have been oppressed by some of the same system injustices he has been negatively impacted by in his life.

Eryn Karpinski Hoerster is a litigation attorney at Foster Garvey. She regularly appears in state and federal courts in Oregon, Washington and New York and represent clients in complex disputes or government investigations. In her pro bono practice, Eryn has partnered with agencies including ACLU of Washington, TeamChild, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon's pro bono panel, and is proud to now support the Clear Clinic. Eryn lives with her family in NE Portland.

Hugo is an immigrant from Mexico who grew up in Portland, Oregon. He went to Portland Community College, earning an Associate's of Paralegal Studies and found a passion for immigration work after becoming a US Citizen. He went on to Portland State University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelors in Political Science. He then earned a Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland.

Currently Hugo lives in NYC with his Cairn Terrier Maya, and works as an immigration attorney for a non profit assisting minor children who arrived at the border unaccompanied by parents.