Tom Tongue, a shareholder in the Portland office of regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, recently graduated from Leadership Portland, a nine-month program sponsored by the Portland Business Alliance designed to develop community leaders for today and tomorrow.

“Leadership Portland is a fantastic program that truly grooms our future civic leaders,” said Mark Long, managing partner for Schwabe. “Tom is already very engaged in the local community and I am excited to see him continue to grow.”

As a fifth generation Oregon attorney, Tongue is deeply committed to giving back to his profession and the local community. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon School of Law where he teaches a mergers and acquisitions practical skills drafting course. He actively supports the March of Dimes and serves on its board. Tongue also has previously served on the Steering Committee for Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s Venture Oregon event and volunteered as a coach for the Classroom Law Project’s Mock Trial Program. Earlier this year, Tongue was recognized by the Portland Business Journal as one of its “40 under 40” business leaders.

Tongue has extensive experience representing clients in a broad array of business transactions including mergers and acquisitions, securities, and corporate finance. He serves as primary corporate counsel for several Oregon businesses including Parr Lumber Company, Pacific Interpreters and Columbia Steel Casting Co. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Tongue obtained a juris doctor degree and a master of business administration degree from the University of Oregon.

Leadership Portland’s curriculum is designed to educate participants on a wide array of critical issues affecting Portland and to help develop the leadership skills necessary to be successful in professional and civic life. The program runs from September to June and begins with a two-day retreat and one full program day each month October through May.