Marion Co. Dist. Attorney's Office

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News Release

Marion County Deputy District Attorney Named Willamette University Attorney Mentor Of The Year - 05/13/26

Salem, OR – May 12, 2026 – Today, Marion County Deputy District Attorney Mae Orawiec was announced as a winner of the Willamette Law School 2026 Mentor of the Year Award. Orawiec was nominated by her mentee, Olivia Sciumbato.

 

The Willamette Law Office of Career Planning and Development partners first year law students with an attorney mentor who fits them best.  This long-running program, which was established in 1991, is designed to promote the professional development of students and help guide them into the legal profession.  Mentors are encouraged to create teaching moments to help students learn professionalism, how to address emails, how to respond to clients, and try out their arguments. Students often highlight the experience as being an instrumental part of their success both during their time at school, and as they begin their career.

 

In response to the announcement, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy said “Mae is a well-deserved recipient of this award. She is extremely compassionate, is a pleasure to work with, and obviously an excellent mentor. Our office is grateful for her hard in our community.”

 

After graduating from the University of Richmond Law School in 2018, Orawiec moved to Oregon and worked as a tax law consultant.  She passed the Oregon State Bar in 2020. She currently works as a DDA on the Complex Felony Trial Team within the DA’s Office. She was one of two mentors selected this year, out of approximately 100 attorneys. Sciumbato is a rising third year law student, she is slated to graduate in 2027.

The award will be presented this Fall during the Attorney-Mentor Kick-Off Reception at Willamette’s Putnam University Center.

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office prides itself in running one of the most robust law clerk programs in the state.  Students are hired for a two-year commitment in their second year of law school, where they review case files, prepare cases and documents for court and work internally within the office with prosecutors and staff on a multitude of matters.  As third year law students, the same law clerks are then assigned a caseload of low-level criminal prosecutions to learn litigation and hone courtroom skills.  As such, they are highly sought by prosecutor offices around the state after they graduate and pass the Bar.

 

Current Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy, Trial team Supervisor Dave Wilson, and other DDAs within the office were all former law clerks. 

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office employs approximately 30 lawyers who handle over 10,00 cases annually in Marion County. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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Marion County Deputy District Attorney Named Willamette University Attorney Mentor Of The Year - 05/13/26

Salem, OR – May 12, 2026 – Today, Marion County Deputy District Attorney Mae Orawiec was announced as a winner of the Willamette Law School 2026 Mentor of the Year Award. Orawiec was nominated by her mentee, Olivia Sciumbato.

 

The Willamette Law Office of Career Planning and Development partners first year law students with an attorney mentor who fits them best.  This long-running program, which was established in 1991, is designed to promote the professional development of students and help guide them into the legal profession.  Mentors are encouraged to create teaching moments to help students learn professionalism, how to address emails, how to respond to clients, and try out their arguments. Students often highlight the experience as being an instrumental part of their success both during their time at school, and as they begin their career.

 

In response to the announcement, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy said “Mae is a well-deserved recipient of this award. She is extremely compassionate, is a pleasure to work with, and obviously an excellent mentor. Our office is grateful for her hard in our community.”

 

After graduating from the University of Richmond Law School in 2018, Orawiec moved to Oregon and worked as a tax law consultant.  She passed the Oregon State Bar in 2020. She currently works as a DDA on the Complex Felony Trial Team within the DA’s Office. She was one of two mentors selected this year, out of approximately 100 attorneys. Sciumbato is a rising third year law student, she is slated to graduate in 2027.

The award will be presented this Fall during the Attorney-Mentor Kick-Off Reception at Willamette’s Putnam University Center.

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office prides itself in running one of the most robust law clerk programs in the state.  Students are hired for a two-year commitment in their second year of law school, where they review case files, prepare cases and documents for court and work internally within the office with prosecutors and staff on a multitude of matters.  As third year law students, the same law clerks are then assigned a caseload of low-level criminal prosecutions to learn litigation and hone courtroom skills.  As such, they are highly sought by prosecutor offices around the state after they graduate and pass the Bar.

 

Current Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy, Trial team Supervisor Dave Wilson, and other DDAs within the office were all former law clerks. 

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office employs approximately 30 lawyers who handle over 10,00 cases annually in Marion County. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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