Why the Former Whitewater Raft Guide Uses Her Furniture as a Drying Rack

Discovery with Laura Kerr

Published in 2021 Oregon Super Lawyers magazine

By Laura Kerr on July 12, 2021

Share:

I can’t go a day without … my morning routine, which consists of a cup of coffee (who am I kidding, at least two cups of coffee), The New York Times and a long walk with my dog.

If you were in my office, you’d … trip over all my bike gear. As an avid bike commuter in the soggy Pacific Northwest, I have become adept at using my furniture as a drying rack.

My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I used to be a whitewater raft guide and will still jump at the opportunity to take anyone down the river. (Consider this your fair warning: I am a bit rusty from too much time in the office.)

When I was a newbie lawyer I … benefitted significantly from the mentorship and guidance of many colleagues. 

The quality I most like in a lawyer is … creative problem-solving. 

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a travel writer.  

The SCOTUS justice I’d most like to meet is … Sonia Sotomayor. After picking her brain about her jurisprudence, we would have to spend time discussing how our shared love of the Nancy Drew series ultimately led us to the law. We would have to agree to disagree on the Yankees.

My favorite Twitter feed is … anyone who exclusively tweets funny dog videos.

I can do a pretty good impersonation of … literally no one. I may be the world’s worst impersonator.   

The talent I wish I had is … effective multitasking. Research has shown that our brains are not nearly as good at handling multiple tasks as we like to think they are.

My favorite meal is … sushi.

My earliest memory is … going to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game with my dad to see Cal Ripken Jr. play. (Go Os!)

I wish I had invented … the compass. How incredible to know your invention sparked a new chapter in human exploration! 

The last TV show I binge-watched was … Ted Lasso.  

Nothing cheers me up like … a dinner party with family and friends. The pandemic took so much from us. After months of being separated, I am looking forward to being able to safely gather in the upcoming year.  

My guilty pleasure is … reading an entire book in a single sitting on a lazy Saturday. 

My favorite word is … hope.

If I won the lottery I’d … buy a cabin deep in the woods with no cellphone service or internet.  

My favorite podcast is … a tie between Still Processing and 99% Invisible

I’m inspired by … the new generation of young activists who are already having a massive impact on our world.

Search attorney feature articles

Featured lawyers

Laura Kerr

Top rated Environmental lawyer Stoel Rives LLP Portland, OR

Other featured articles

Ronita Bahri’s path to advocacy went through Iraq and Jordan 

What happened to Deanna Koestel after the attack

N. Diane Holmes puts a face—and a lot of pink trimming—on the fight against breast cancer 

View more articles featuring lawyers

Find top lawyers with confidence

The Super Lawyers patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, selecting the top 5% of attorneys to the Super Lawyers lists each year. We know lawyers and make it easy to connect with them.

Find a lawyer near you