Two New Chief Justice Orders
Two new Chief Justice Orders (“CJO”) are anticipated to go into effect on Aug. 30, 2010. These orders are intended to facilitate the electronic transmission of trial court records for cases on appeal and will apply to all files, exhibits and transcripts.

The first CJO will permit, but not require, trial courts to electronically transmit the court file instead of sending the paper record. This order also permits attorneys to submit electronic copies of exhibits on CD to the trial court for the purpose of transmission upon appeal.

The second CJO will require that transcribers submit final transcripts directly to the Appellate Court Records Section. The order removes the previous requirement that transcripts be filed directly with the trial court administrator. Paper copies must still be served on lawyers of record as under the current rules, but lawyers may opt for an electronic version on CD instead.

The text of the rules can be found online at www.osbar.org/barnews/ECourt.html.

New Expedited Track for Multnomah County Civil Jury Trials
Presiding Judge Jean Kerr Maurer recently announced that Multnomah County Circuit Court is offering an expedited track for civil jury trials, effective immediately. Multnomah County Circuit Court is one of the pilot courts in Oregon implementing the new program. Several media releases and explanatory materials pertaining to the program are available through the Multnomah Bar Association website at www.mbabar.org. If you have questions about the program, you can also e-mail Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Janice Wilson at: Wilson@ojd.state.or.us.

2010 MCLE Compliance Reporting
Members with an MCLE reporting period ending Dec. 31, 2010, will be receiving an MCLE Compliance Report by Nov. 1, 2010. All credits must be completed by midnight on Dec. 31, 2010. The completed, signed compliance report must be filed on or before Jan. 31, 2011. If you do not submit the compliance report by the due date, you could be suspended for failure to comply with the MCLE rules.

If your three-year reporting period ends Dec. 31, 2010, you are not required to complete access to justice (formerly called elimination of bias) credits. If you are a new admittee whose first MCLE reporting period ends Dec.31, 2010, you must complete a three-credit-hour introductory course in access to justice.

For more information on what’s new since your last reporting period and frequently asked questions, please go to www.osbar.org/_docs/mcle/2010MCLE ReportingInfo.pdf.

New OSB Executive Director Named
At its meeting in August, the OSB Board of Governors accepted the resignation of executive director Teresa Schmid, who is returning to her California home to pursue new opportunities and long-time interests.

During her tenure, Schmid, a member of the Oregon bar for more than 30 years, had a key role in developing new services for the membership, including the BarBooks benefit.

The board named Sylvia Stevens, OSB general counsel, as the new executive director. During her 18 years with the bar, Stevens has worked closely with the board and is well known and respected throughout the legal community. She is a past president of the Multnomah Bar Association and former member of the OSB Board of Governors, and has extensive experience in private practice.

Nominations for Castles Award Sought
The OSB Business Law Section is seeking nominations for the James B. Castles Leadership Award.

The award was established in 1998 to recognize an Oregon lawyer for excellence in the practice of business law, professionalism among fellow business lawyers and outstanding community leadership. It is the highest recognition bestowed by the section.

Nominations or requests for additional information can be submitted to Andrew Ognall at aognall@robertskaplan.com until Oct. 31. Section members can find additional information at the section’s website, www.orbuslaw.org/news.

Special Grant to Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Multnomah County Office
mah County Office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon is the recipient of a $36,143 grant from the Roscoe C. Nelson, Jr. Fund for Pro Bono Law Services to the Poor administered by the Oregon Community Foundation. Roscoe C. Nelson, Jr. practiced law in Portland for 52 years and helped the poor by providing free legal services throughout his career. His family members and friends established the fund to honor his tradition. The purpose of the endowment is to connect volunteer lawyers with low-income people in need of legal services in Multnomah County.

The grant will help fund the office’s pro bono program that connects volunteer lawyers with low-income people in need of legal services. These volunteer lawyers assist domestic violence survivors with restraining order issues, senior citizens with civil legal issues and other clients with a with a wide range of civil legal matters.

The mission of the Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds OCF awards more than $60 million annually in grants and scholarships.

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