In Memoriam: Lara Skidmore, Portland Managing Partner
Lara Skidmore, Managing Partner of Troutman Sanders’ Portland Office, died on July 7th from cancer. Lara joined Troutman Sanders in 2007, when she founded the national law firm’s Portland office.
Lara was a stalwart of the Northwest Energy Bar. As a creative, smart, and dynamic lawyer, she handled significant matters for her clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Bonneville Power Administration (Bonneville). Lara’s skills and knowledge of the Energy industry made her a fierce advocate for her clients. Among her many professional successes was winning a landmark ruling from FERC regarding the integration of renewables onto the transmission grid.
She mentored numerous young lawyers during her career and went out of her way to guide women attorneys, helping them achieve their full potential. Her successes, kindness, and passion for both work and her community provided an inspiring example to follow. Lara consistently brought together members of the community at all stages of their careers to provide opportunities for the young to learn and the experienced to share.
Lara’s ties to the Energy community run-deep. She began her career at Bonneville where for 12 years she represented the transmission business unit and the power trading floor. She then became Associate General Counsel of PacifiCorp overseeing transmission compliance, property and customer service issues.
While Lara was an excellent lawyer, her most treasured role was that of mother to her two sons, Ben and Jake, and wife to her beloved husband John.
Lara will always be an important part of Troutman Sanders, and she will be greatly missed. Lara’s leadership and grace will be remembered, and we mourn her loss.
Donations in Lara’s honor may be made to the Campaign for Equal Justice Oregon (CEJ). Her husband has agreed to fund, in Lara’s name, an additional Legal Aid Services attorney in Portland for a minimum of six years focusing on areas that Lara cared about the most, enabling hundreds, if not thousands, of people who cannot afford an attorney to get the legal services they deserve. For those interested in making a contribution, please visit the CEJ's website.