It's Never Too Early to Start Thinking About OSB Annual Awards
Every year the Oregon State Bar honors the state's most outstanding lawyers, judges and citizens. But this can't be done 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.

The Oregon Bench and Bar Commission on Profesionalism is also seeking nominations for its Edwin J. Peterson Professionalism Award.

The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., Friday, July 31. This year's awards dinner will be held Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Benson Hotel in Portland. Nomination criteria, forms and other information can be found here.

For additional information, contact Kay Pulju, OSB Communications Department, (503) 620-0222 or toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-8260, ext. 402, or e-mail Karla Houtary.

Oregon Court of Appeals Releases 2008 Annual Report
The Oregon Court of Appeals has released the court's 2008 Annual Report. The report outlines the court's caseload and workload distribution, generally explains how the court processes cases and shares how to obtain additional information about the court's internal processes. It also provides updates on the court's new automated case management system and the court's adoption of appellate performance measures.

The report describes several initiatives the court has undertaken to perform its work more efficiently. These include a criminal case management project that responds to an increasing backlog of criminal cases resulting from the court's successful effort to shorten the amount of time between filing and submission of cases for argument. It also covers the reorganization of the Office of Appellate Legal Counsel into an Appellate Commissioner's office to reduce the amount of time to process substantive motions. Short items on special programs and comparative statistics from 2003 through 2008 round out the report.

The complete report is available online on the court of appeals page on the Oregon Judicial Department website, www.ojd.state.or.us/courts/coa/index.htm.

OGALLA Spring Social at Hobo's
The Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association will host a spring social on Thursday, May 14 for anyone interested in attending. This is a casual gathering to visit, network and connect with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender legal community. It is also a great chance to catch up with colleagues and meet new OGALLA members.

The social will be held at Hobo's, 120 N.W. Third Ave., Portland, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

OSB Seeking Board of Governor Candidates
The Oregon State Bar is currently seeking candidates for the Board of Governors election. Region 2 has one seat, and Region 5 has two seats. The positions are open to active bar members who file candidate forms by May 12. Board terms are four years and begin on Jan. 1, 2010. Region 1 includes Lane County; Region 5 consists of Multnomah County.

The Board of Governors meets five times a year in various locations around the state, usually on a Friday and the following Saturday morning. Board committees meet at the bar center in Tigard three to four weeks prior to the full board meetings. Board members also serve as liaisons to the Professional Liability Fund, bar sections, committees and numerous other bar groups.

For more information or to print a copy of the candidate statement and nominating petition, go here, or contact Danielle Edwards, dedwards@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 or toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-8260, ext. 426.

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