Traci M. Kerian, SPHR

Traci Kerian is the Firm Executive Director at Black Helterline LLP, where she oversees firm operations with a focus on strategic planning, people management, and operational excellence. With more than two decades of experience in the legal industry, Traci brings a deep understanding of law firm administration, human resources, and professional staff development. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to building efficient, inclusive, and client-focused legal teams.

As Firm Executive Director, Traci is responsible for the firm’s day-to-day operations and long-term administrative strategy. Her responsibilities include:

• Leading firm administration and operational planning
• Overseeing human resources, recruiting, and performance management
• Supporting attorneys and staff through process improvement and organizational development
• Ensuring compliance with employment and workplace regulations
• Managing firm policies, procedures, and internal initiatives
• Serving as a strategic partner to firm leadership

Her work focuses on enabling attorneys and staff to perform at their highest level in service of clients.

Outside of work, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Gabbi. A lifelong University of Oregon football fan, she has been a season ticket holder for more than 15 years (go Ducks!). She is also a devoted San Francisco 49ers fan and proudly has a brick bearing her name at Levi’s Stadium. When she’s not watching football, Traci enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and traveling.

Traci began her legal career as a legal assistant specializing in construction, commercial, and appellate litigation and steadily advanced into leadership through hands-on experience and a deep understanding of law firm operations. Prior to joining Black Helterline LLP, she spent more than 16 years at Stoel Rives LLP, where she supervised and supported a large team of legal assistants across multiple offices. In that role, she led recruiting, onboarding, training, performance management, and operational process improvements, including through significant periods of organizational change.

Drawing on experience in litigation support, professional staff management, human resources, and firm-wide operational initiatives, Traci brings a well-rounded perspective to supporting attorneys and staff, fostering employee development, and advancing the firm's strategic objectives.

• Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
  • Member
• Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), Oregon Chapter
  • President (current)
  • Former President-Elect and Membership Director
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Member
• NALS – the association for legal professionals
  • Former national committee member
  • Former board member and past president at the local and state levels