LRAP Applications Due April 15

The Oregon State Bar recognizes that substantial educational debt can create a financial barrier which prevents lawyers from pursuing or continuing careers in public service. The OSB Loan Repayment Assistance Program may be able to help by providing up to $5,000 in forgivable loan disbursements for up to three years. Qualifying positions include public defenders, deputy district attorneys, staff attorneys for civil legal aid organizations or other private non-profit organizations providing direct legal representation of low-income Oregonians.

You must have educational debt of at least $50,000, with a salary under $50,000 to be eligible. The LRAP Advisory Committee strongly encourages applications from those with a demonstrated commitment to public service. Information and applications are available here or by contacting Catherine Petrecca at 503-431-6355 or at cpetrecca@osbar.org. Applications are due by April 15, 2010.

Fastcase App for iPhone Now Available

There are thousands of apps available for the iPhone – from daily planners to GPS navigation – but the new Fastcase application was designed specifically for legal professionals.  The new app is a free legal research application, putting the American law library in the palm of your hand. Cases are searchable by citation, keyword (in Boolean or natural language), or users can just as easily browse statute collections.

Fastcase for the iPhone also uses smart search technology from Fastcase’s fully-featured Web-based legal research application, which allows you to sort the most relevant results to the top of the list and integrates citation analysis tools right into the results list.  For more information and to download the free app, visit the Fastcase iPhone page.

Please note: After downloading the application from the App Store, OSB members will need to create a new account and password for Fastcase on iPhone. When accessing Fastcase on the web from the OSB website, continue to use your bar number and password as before.

WUPILP Auction Coming Soon

The Willamette University Public Interest Law Project ("WUPILP") will be holding its auction on March 5, 2010, at the Willamette Valley Vineyards. Live music and food will be provided; beverages will be available.  For more information on the auction, contact Daemie M. Kim at dmkim@willamette.edu.

Want to be a judge at the 2009-10
Oregon Mock Trial Competition?

As a judge, you'll have the opportunity to see high school students make their case with passion and poise. The regional competition will take place at a courthouse near you (Albany, Bend, Hillsboro, Oregon City, Medford, Pendleton, Portland) on Saturday, Feb. 27, and the state finals return to the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland on Friday/Saturday, Mar. 12-13.

This year's case is State v. Lane, a criminal case where the defendant, a rap artist, is charged with inciting a riot and arson. Each round is scored by a panel of three judges, two from the legal field and one educator or community representative.

If you are interested in being a part of this exciting event, please provide your availability as soon as possible using the online form here.
Questions? Contact the Classroom Law Project at (503) 224-4424 or office@classroomlaw.org.

MCLE Rule Change Reminder

Effective Jan. 1, 2009, when screening accredited programs, the original program date cannot be more than three years prior to the screening date. (MCLE Rule 5.7(c)) Also, CLE credit may not be claimed for any program for which you have already claimed credit in any reporting period. (MCLE Rule 5.7(d))