Mentors Needed for the New Lawyer Mentoring Program

As you may know, the Oregon Supreme Court has adopted a new rule creating a one-year mentoring requirement for most new admittees to the Oregon State Bar. With strong support from Chief Justice De Muniz, the Board of Governors, and a great many bar members who have served in prominent leadership positions for decades, the program launches with high hopes about its long-term value. We hope you will take a look at this video, and consider joining this significant new initiative.

The mentoring curriculum combines several required and elective elements to expose new lawyers to attributes of highly competent, ethical and professional lawyers. Loosely modeled after successful programs in Utah and Georgia, the Oregon NLMP emphasizes a flexible particularly approach.

Mentors should have seven years of experience as a lawyer, no disciplinary prosecutions pending and a reputation for competence and professionalism. The anticipated time commitment is roughly equal to a 90-minute monthly meeting with your new lawyer for approximately 12 months, though individual circumstances may vary. Upon completion of the mentoring plan, mentors will receive eight general MCLE credits.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact program staff at mentoring@osbar.org directly. Additional information on the program, the curriculum, and enrollment forms can be found at the video link above.  If you have other questions or would more information, please contact NLMP Administrator Kateri Walsh at 503-431-6406 or 1-800-452-8260, ext. 406.

We Can't Do It Without YOU

The Board of Governors is now accepting applications for appointment to bar boards, committees and councils. The bar is able to provide services to the public and its membership because of lawyers like you who volunteer on more than 35 bar groups. If you would like to help build a stronger bar and make a difference in the profession, apply here before July 22. For more information contact Danielle Edwards via email or by phone at 503-431-6426.

Oregon Law Foundation Seeks Board Members

The Oregon Law Foundation is looking for lawyer members to serve on the OLF board. Directors attend approximately four board meetings a year, as well as various committee meetings. The OLF was created by the Oregon State Bar to be the charitable arm of the bar primarily to raise funds for organizations that help the poor obtain access to legal services.  The OLF is also responsible for the bar’s IOLTA program.

Interested persons should send a brief resume by August 15 to Judith Baker, Oregon Law Foundation, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281-1935.  For more information on the Oregon Law Foundation, click here.

OSB Annual Awards Nominations Due Soon

Every year the OSB honors Oregon’s most outstanding lawyers, judges and citizens, but we can’t do it without your help. The OSB is currently accepting nominations for the following awards:

OSB Award of Merit
Wallace P. Carson, Jr. Award for Judicial Excellence
President’s Affirmative Action Award
President’s Membership Service Award
President’s Public Service Award
President’s Public Leadership Award
OSB Sustainability Award

The deadline for nominations is 5:00 pm on Friday, July 15th. This year’s Awards Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 9th at The Governor Hotel in Portland. Nomination criteria, forms and other information can be found here. For additional information, please contact Kay Pulju, OSB Communications Department, at 503-620-0222 ext. 402, 1-800-452-8260 ext. 402 or email kpulju@osbar.org.