Oregon Courts To Switch to New domain Name for E-Notice to Lawyers (09/15/23) The email domain used by circuit courts and the OR Tax Court to send electronic notice of hearings, orders and judgements will change at 6:30 p.m. on Wed. Sept 20, 2023. OSB members should whitelist the new name - @notify@ojd.state.or.us – to ensure that court notifications are not directed to their spam folders. Questions can be emailed to L.S.Dupree@ojd.state.or.us.
New Order from the Chief Justice - Effective Sept. 1 (08/31/23) On August 30, 2023, Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan A. Flynn issued a new Chief Justice Order, CJO 23-028 (effective September 1, 2023), which superseded CJO 22-012 -- the Oregon Judicial Department's (OJD's) last statewide pandemic-related order (issued June 23, 2022). New CJO 23-028 ends OJD's statewide precautionary measures adopted in response to the pandemic. Now, all determinations about precautionary measures will be made by the Presiding Judge, the Trial Court Administrator, or the State Court Administrator, as appropriate. The new CJO otherwise continues, for the present time, OJD's ongoing approach to remote proceedings. CJO 23-028 is available here.
Cybersecurity Resources for OSB Members (08/23/23) Cybersecurity is a growing concern, and it is critical that lawyers prioritize the protection of their own and their clients’ sensitive information. To assist members in understanding safe practices, the PLF has several related Practice Aids available on its website. It also has a Cyber Liability & Breach Endorsement included in its Excess Coverage plans. Please reach out to the PLF for further guidance, or share any questions at feedback@osbar.org.
Volunteer with the Oregon State Bar The Board of Governors is now accepting applications for lawyer and non-lawyer volunteers interested in serving on a number of bar boards, committees, and councils. A description of each opportunity accompanies the application on the links below. Non-lawyer volunteers are asked to submit their interest form by July 14 and lawyers should apply by September 26.
Licensed Paralegal Program Becomes Law On Monday, May 8, Governor Tina Kotek signed Senate Bill 306, clearing the final hurdle for the bar to create a new type of legal licensure for paralegals. Similar to a Nurse Practitioner, these new professionals will be licensed to perform limited legal work on some family law and landlord/tenant matters. This will be one more tool to combat the crisis in access to help in civil legal services. The OSB extends thanks to the members of the Paraprofessional Licensing Implementation Committee for their years of dedicated work to create this program.