Briefs

BEST LAW OFFICE WEBSITES

Kudos to the Saalfeld, Griggs, Gorsuch, Alexander & Emerick firm of Salem and Bend. The firm's website has been named a finalist in Law Office Computing magazine's 3rd Annual Best Law Office Web Site Contest in the small firm category. The site at www.saalfeldlaw.com has been active for the past two years and is regularly updated with new content (lots of good practice tips).

The winners and finalists are featured in Law Office Computing's October/November issue.

E-MAIL DISCOVERY

More than 10 billion e-mail messages are sent every day, making the telephone no longer the primary business communications tool. According to Jerry Saperstein, these two facts make discovery of e-mail virtually mandatory in every case, yet most litigators don't know how to maximize the discovery potential of e-mail.

Download his free 'Effective Discovery of E-mail' from www.civildiscovery.com. Subjects covered include: why to never accept only printouts of messages; why 'lost' e-mail excuses are generally inaccurate (and how to retrieve 'lost' messages efficiently and economically); how to gain access to your opponents' computers and more.

REPRESENTING SOCIAL SECURITY CLIENTS WEBSITE

The Social Security Administration has launched a new web page as a service to attorneys and other representatives of Social Security claimants: www.ssa.gov/representation.

The site includes SSA regulations and operating procedures, links to the Social Security Handbook, Program Operations Manual System (POMS) and relevant CFR sections. It also addresses specific questions about the representation process, including fee petitions and agreements.

HE SWORE TO TELL THE TRUTH

It was a recent Monday morning in Beaverton Municipal Court, and Judge Peter Ackerman was doing arraignments. When asked whether the name on the complaint was his true name, correctly spelled, the defendant replied, 'It's my real alias - the same one I use with all the cops.' (Even when everyone else gets to laugh, the judge has to try to keep a straight face.

ENTERTAINMENT LAW ESSAY COMPETITION

The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, along with the ABA, is co-sponsoring the 4th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Essay Competition. The author of the winning paper will receive a substantial cash scholarship of $5,000, and each of four runners up will receive $1,500. Each cash winner will also receive airfare, hotel accommodations and a ticket to the Grammy Awards telecast in February 2002, plus invitations to other Grammy week activities.

Law students are invited to write a 3,000-word essay on a legal topic facing the music industry today. The contest entry deadline is Dec. 15, 2001. For complete contest rules, e-mail eli@grammy.com.

POST-CONVENTION EDITORIAL

'This is an editorial that we do not enjoy writing. We would much prefer that it did not have to be written, but we believe that in fairness to the majority of the bar it must be presented.

'The Oregon State Bar stands to lose heavily on the Bend meeting for two reasons. The first is that some 125 meals were served at the annual dinner on Friday which were not paid for. Prior to the dinner 516 dinner tickets were sold. Refunds have been made to approximately 75 people who were unable to be served. A total of 570 meals were prepared and served for which the bar has been paid for approximately 440. At $4 a plate the loss to the bar is some $600, which had to be paid to the caterer.

'The Bulletin is of the opinion that because of the great crowd present to hear Jerry Giesler, the failure to pay was an oversight occasioned by the excitement and good time everyone was having prior to the dinner, but the books of the secretary's office are in the red.

'Second, the matter of registration fee. Several years ago the bar decided that instead of soliciting funds from individual lawyers and law firms to finance entertainment at the annual meeting it was more equitable to charge a nominal registration fee of $5. This was overlooked by a number who attended at Bend…the fee should have been paid.

'Attendance at the Saturday night party prior to the annual tent show was indicative of the participation in the social events, as was the attendance…prior to Herbert W. Clark's address.

'Those who failed or neglected to pay in either or both of the above instances should make payment promptly. If they wish to remain anonymous, the Bulletin will accept payment, preserve the confidential relationship of attorney and client with the person making such payment, and turn over the money (in cash) to the office of the secretary.'

Source: OSB Bulletin, September 1952