Naked Challenge
I read William Long’s article on 'Free Speech in Oregon' (October
2003) with interest and amusement. On more than one occasion during Justice
Linde’s tenure on the court, it appeared to me that his desire to reach a specific
conclusion far outweighed any balanced legal analysis of the pertinent laws.
Long’s scrutiny of the history and theory surrounding Justice Linde’s opinion
in State v. Robertson reminded me of the famous childhood story, 'the
emperor has no clothes.' Long’s writing and research were a refreshing
challenge to the views of an individual whom many consider a religious icon
of the legal community.
Ulys Stapleton
Grants Pass
Member Benefits
Every organization that I have belonged to (with the exception of OSB) has
the practice of charging its members a reduced fee for publications, seminars
and other activities.
Somehow, those who are at the helm of our organization have decided to go against the tide. I was astonished to learn, upon registering for an upcoming ethics CLE featuring noted author and OSB member Phil Margolin, along with OSB members Chuck Sparks and Larry Matasar, that the fee being charged to OSB members is $95, while non-lawyers receive a whopping discount of 32 percent.
Am I the only member who finds it odd that the professional organization to which we must belong as a condition of practicing law in this state discriminates against its own members in setting fees for events as this?
Mark C. Cogan
Portland
Karen D. Lee, manager and senior attorney in the OSB
CLE seminars department, responds:
Registration prices for OSB CLE seminars are structured
to reflect that membership with the bar is mandatory.
The rates distinguish between lawyers and non-lawyers,
rather than OSB members and non-OSB members. The lower
rate for non-lawyers was established to allow legal assistants
and paralegals working with bar members to attend seminars
and reduce the overall cost for their firms.
Who’s on First?
I was startled to read in 'Moves' (November 2003) that Perkins Coie
claims to be 'the first law firm' in the Pearl District. Like Christopher
Columbus, Perkins seems to be oblivious to the fact that the new land it claims
to have discovered has previous residents.
In February 2002, this law firm, Josselson, Potter & Roberts, moved into its current office in The Gregory, in the heart of the Pearl District. We have represented developers of such major projects in the Pearl as The Gregory, Irving Townhouses, The Elizabeth and The Edge. In fact, I’ve not long ago handled litigation which incidentally involved a Perkins Coie client. Furthermore, I would not claim that we are 'the first' either. I have noted at least one other attorney shingle in the neighborhood a bit to the east of us, and know two other excellent small firms at the freeway to the west.
I sympathize with the elation that Perkins Coie (as a collective) must feel for having come (albeit late) to this vibrant and enjoyable neighborhood. Still, Perkins Coie really should show more care about checking facts before planting a flag of discovery.
Leslie M. Roberts
Portland