Volunteer Defense Counsel Sought
The Oregon State Bar is looking for members who are willing to volunteer their time to assist lawyers who are being investigated or prosecuted for disciplinary violations. Volunteers on this panel will provide pro bono representation for accused lawyers in disciplinary matters, as their time and availability permit. Accused lawyers are not guaranteed that a volunteer on the panel will be available or willing to take every case.

Volunteer defense counsel members are not screened, but they are expected to be familiar with the disciplinary rules and the disciplinary process. The bar does not require the volunteer defense counsel to provide any particular level of service. It is anticipated that most of the volunteer services will be of a consultative nature in the early stages of an investigation or prosecution.

Volunteers serving as defense counsel in disciplinary proceedings are eligible to earn up to two MCLE ethics credits for each 12 months of service. Serving as voluntary defense counsel also meets the OSB pro bono aspirational standard. OSB Bylaw 13.1 details a category of pro bono work designed for those bar members who contribute valuable volunteer time to improve the law, the legal system and the legal profession.

If you are interested in participating on the Volunteer Defense Counsel contact Danielle Edwards, member services administrator, at (503) 431-6426, or toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-8260, ext. 426, or e-mail dedwards@osbar.org.


Volunteers Needed for Clackamas, Lane County Fairs
Let the Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Division take you to a county fair. The Division is sponsoring exhibit booths at both the 2007 Clackamas and Lane County Fairs. Volunteers are needed to distribute legal information and giveaway items to fair attendees. In exchange, you will receive free admission and parking and a guaranteed good time.

Bring a friend and volunteer at either of the exhibit booths so members of the public can see lawyers outside of the traditional legal setting — in a law office or courtroom — and allow them to see what lawyers do, as people and members of the community. You can help provide an invaluable public service by helping to distribute legal information to the citizens of Clackamas and Lane counties.

Both fairs open on Tuesday, Aug. 14 and run through Sunday, Aug. 19. To volunteer, contact Peggy Miller at (800) 452-8260 or (503) 431-6384 or pmiller@osbar.org.


OLAH Thanks Contributors
Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger thanks all of the contributors to its 2006 annual fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank. Firms competed for the Golden Can Award (highest contribution per capita) and Silver Barrel Award (highest total contribution). In 2006, Yates Matthews won the Golden Can Award with a per capita donation of almost $250. Bullivant Houser Bailey PC was awarded the Silver Barrel Award for raising more than $20,000 as a firm, ending the nine year winning streak held by Lane Powell PC.

OLAH thanks all of the individuals and firms whose contributions put them in the “give a ton club” and the “1,000 lb. club.”

OLAH will launch its 11th annual fundraiser to benefit the Oregon Food Bank on Sept. 24, 2007 with hopes of exceeding $1 million in total fundraising. For more information about OLAH, contact Tim Calderbank at (503) 499-4642. For information about the Oregon Food Bank, visit www.oregonfoodbank.org.

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