| Oregon State Bar Bulletin — JUNE 2011 |
|
|
Court Issues New Electronic
Communications Policies
Last month, the Oregon Appellate Court Records Section implemented a new program with electronic signatures for some Oregon Supreme Court and Court of Appeals orders. The new program also includes electronic delivery of orders, letters and notices generated by both courts. As noted, some of the documents will have electronic signatures and some will not. In a later phase (approximately late July), the court will implement electronic signatures for remaining appellate court orders. The court also anticipates starting electronic distribution of opinions then.
The attorney database used by the Appellate Court Records Office is updated nightly from information from the Oregon State Bar. Consequently, electronically distributed court documents will be sent to the email address a member has on record with the Oregon State Bar. If you wish to update your record, visit the bar’s website, log in and click on “Address Change.”
More information on these changes can be found at http://tinyurl.com/appellatechanges.
Annual Pro Bono Fair, Free CLE Events on Oct. 28
The Celebrate Pro Bono Committee encourages you to save Tuesday, Oct. 25 on your calendar for the Annual Pro Bono Fair and Reception.
This year’s event will feature three free CLE events that relate to pro bono work and consumer issues. It will be held at the World Trade Center in downtown Portland. More information will be available from the bar as the event nears.
OSB Leadership and Volunteer
Opportunities
The OSB is currently looking for bar members to serve on more than 35 boards, committees and councils. A description of each volunteer opportunity is available in the Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities brochure on the OSB website.
Member involvement on boards, committees and other bar groups keeps the bar responsive to the needs of its membership and is vital to the ability of the bar to provide services to its members and the public.
Most appointments are for terms of three years; however, if you are unable to make this lengthy commitment, the bar also offers episodic volunteering. Serving on an episodic group allows you to determine the number of hours you give while continuing to enjoy the benefits of volunteering.
When submitting applications it is recommended that you attach a resume and a letter of interest describing why you are interested in serving. The Board of Governors is committed to ensuring that bar groups reflect the diversity of the membership and they make every attempt to place each applicant in a volunteer position.
Candidates must be active bar members and in good standing to be considered for appointment. For more information and to download an application form, go to www.osbar.org, or contact Danielle Edwards at (503) 431-6246, or toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-8260, ext. 426, or email dedwards@osbar.org. Application forms are due July 22.
HOD Regional Meetings Set for
July 12-14
The OSB House of Delegates regional meetings will be July 12-14, hosted by a board member in each of the seven regions. These one-hour meetings will give delegates a chance to meet with their local board members and discuss the resolution process. Resolutions will be due to the OSB offices by 5 p.m. on Sept. 13.
A second round of regional meetings will be held Sept. 27-29 to give delegates a chance to discuss the resolutions the board has approved for the House of Delegates agenda. The annual delegates’ meeting will be held Oct. 28, at 10 a.m., at the OSB Center in Tigard. Members of the House of Delegates will received detailed information by email soon.
Happy Birthday, Lawyer Referral
The Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) turns 40 this year. Established in 1971, the program is now about to embark on its 41st program year (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012).
For new participants (those not currently registered), LRS will begin taking registrations on or after June 1. The registration form can be found at www.osbar.org/forms. Current participants do not need to fill out a registration form. Renewal invoices will be sent via email to participants’ official email address on record with the OSB at the end of May.
Participating lawyers are encouraged to update contact information as soon as possible. The simplest and quickest method is in the members’ section of the bar’s website: go to www.osbar.org/secured/login.asp; log in; and then click the “View/Change Address” left-hand menu link. The information can also by updated by sending an email to addresschanges@osbar.org or submitting a change of address form by regular mail.
Awards
Every year the OSB honors Oregon’s most outstanding lawyers, judges and citizens, but we can’t do it 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; and the OSB Sustainability Award.
The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., July 15. Nomination criteria, forms and other information can be found at www.osbar.org.