| Oregon State Bar Bulletin — JULY 2012 |
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House of Delegates Meets July 10-12
The 2012 House of Delegates regional meetings will be held July 10-12.
For a complete schedule, visit the OSB website at www.osbar.org/leadership/hod/meeting.html.
New Fee Mediation Program
for OSB Members
As of June 2012, attorneys and clients have the opportunity to mediate fee disputes prior to arbitration as part of the OSB Fee Arbitration Program. The program is for resolving fee disputes between an Oregon attorney and a client, between Oregon clients with out-of-state attorneys, or between Oregon attorneys. All parties must voluntarily agree to participate. For more information, visit www.osbar.org/feearbitration.
UTCR Changes Effective August 1
Chief Justice Thomas A. Balmer has approved changes to the Uniform Trial Court Rules that become effective Aug. 1, 2012. Changes of particular interest include amended rules regarding certain family law procedures and revised small claim forms. In addition, out-of-cycle changes to rules regarding termination of attorney client relationship and custody of biological evidence are already in effect. The 2012 version of the UTCR is posted at courts.oregon.gov/OJD/programs/utcr/utcrrules.page.
The UTCR committee’s next meeting is scheduled for October 12 (and 13, if necessary). The committee welcomes proposals for changes to the UTCR. Please submit your proposals by Sept. 4, 2012, to utcr@ojd.state.or.us or UTCR Reporter, Supreme Court Building, 1163 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-2563.
Comment on Proposed ORAP Changes by August 6
The Oregon Supreme Court and Court of Appeals propose to permanently amend the Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure effective Jan. 1, 2013. In keeping with their usual practice, the courts convened the Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee in January 2012. The committee met three times and approved changes to the rules. The courts now seek comments the proposed amendments before taking final rulemaking action. The notice of proposed rulemaking and proposed amendments may be accessed online at www.tinyurl.com/ORAPpage/ and will also be published in volume 15 of the Oregon Advance Sheets.
You may submit written comments on the proposed amendments no later than Aug. 6, 2012, to Chief Justice Thomas A. Balmer, Chair, Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee, Supreme Court Building, 1163 State St., Salem, OR 97301.
OSB Leadership and Volunteer
Opportunities
The OSB currently seeks bar members to serve on more than 35 boards, committees and councils. Member involvement such bar groups keeps the OSB 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 terms are for three years; however, if you are unable to make this lengthy commitment the bar also offers episodic volunteer positions. Serving on an episodic group allows you to determine the number of hours you give while continuing to enjoy the benefits of volunteering. Candidates must be active bar members and in good standing to be considered for appointment. For more information and to apply, go to www.osbar.org, or contact Danielle Edwards at (503) 431-6246 or (800) 452-8260, ext. 426 or email dedwards@osbar.org. The deadline to apply is Aug. 17, 2012.
Legal Publications Award
The OSB Legal Publications Department has received the ACLEA’s Best Award of Outstanding Achievement for the 2011 revision of Labor and Employment Law: Private Sector. ACLEA is an international organization of CLE providers, legal publishers, law schools and law firm professional development coordinators. Thanks go to the bar’s editorial review board — Richard Liebman and Harlan Bernstein — as well as the bar’s 44 volunteer authors, all of whom were an integral part of making this book such an outstanding resource.
OSB Annual Awards Nominations Due July 16
The deadline is approaching for submitting nominations for the OSB annual awards. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 16. Nomination criteria for the full list of awards, forms and other information can be found at www.osbar.org. For additional information, contact OSB Communications Director Kay Pulju at (503) 620-0222; (800) 452-8260 ext. 402; or kpulju@osbar.org.
Oregon Law Foundation Seeks Board Members
The Oregon Law Foundation is looking for lawyer members to serve on the OLF board.
Directors attend approximately four board meetings a year, as well as various committee meetings.
Interested persons should send a brief resume by August 31st to Judith Baker, Oregon Law Foundation, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281-1935 or jbaker@osbar.org.
Adjusted Tort Liability Limits Against Public Bodies
Effective July 1
The Office of the State Court Administrator has followed the required statutory methodology identified in ORS 30.273(3) to calculate the annual adjustment to the limitations on liability of public bodies for property damage or destruction. Based on these calculations, the limitations are adjusted to $104,300 for any single claimant and $521,400 for all claimants.
These new limitations became effective July 1 and apply to all causes of action arising on or after July 1, 2012, and before July 1, 2013. For details, visit http://courts.oregon.gov/OJD/courts/circuit/tort_claims_act.page?
Submit questions or comments to: Bruce C. Miller, Office of the State Court Administrator, Supreme Court Building, 1163 State St., Salem, OR 97301; (503) 986.5500; or bruce.c.miller@state.or.us.