Oregon State Bar Bulletin — JANUARY 2013
Bar News
Jan. 31 is Deadline Day at the OSB
All of the following regulatory deadlines fall on the same day:
Membership Fees for 2013 must be received in the bar office no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 to avoid an increase in fees. Postmarks are not relevant.
Status changes for 2013 are also due Jan. 31. More information on status changes can be found at www.osbar.org/fees/feeFAQ.html.
MCLE compliance reports for members whose reporting period ended Dec. 31, 2012, are due in the MCLE office no later than 5 p.m., Jan. 31. Reports may be submitted via fax or email.
IOLTA Certification must be reported by Jan. 31. Information on why this is required and how to submit your certification can be found at www.osbar.org/IOLTA/faq.html.
Find more information on which deadlines are relevant to you (as well as information on how to pay dues, file reports, etc.) on the Member Dashboard of the bar’s website at www.osbar.org. Click on “Member Login” then enter your bar number and password to access up-to-date, member-specific information.
Request for Public Comment on Proposed UTCR Changes
The Uniform Trial Court Rules committee met on Oct. 12 to review proposals to amend the UTCR and to make preliminary recommendations to the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. A description of the proposals and action taken by the committee is posted at: http://courts.oregon.gov/OJD/programs/utcr/utcrrules.page.
Proposals of special note address submission of exhibits and jury instructions, media access in sex offense proceedings, sealing of documents, motions to suppress evidence, motions to continue a civil trial date, depository statements, small claims dismissals and initiating instruments in contempt proceedings.
The committee encourages all interested parties to submit comments on these proposals. Comments can be posted at the web address mentioned above or mailed to the UTCR Reporter at the Office of the State Court Administrator, Supreme Court Building, 1163 State St., Salem, OR 97301-2563, or emailed to utcr@ojd.state.or.us. Comments must be received by 5 p.m., Feb. 28. The committee will make final recommendations on these proposals at the next UTCR meeting on March 1, 9 a.m., Office of the State Court Administrator in Salem. Those proposals approved by the chief justice will become effective Aug. 1, 2013.
Comments Sought on Reappointment of Judge Brown
The current term of the Hon. Trish M. Brown, U.S. bankruptcy judge for the District of Oregon, is due to expire in December 2013. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit is considering the reappointment of the judge to a new term of office of 14 years.
Members of the bar and public are invited to submit comments on whether or not to reappoint her. Anonymous responses will not be accepted. However, respondents who do not wish to have their identities disclosed should so indicate in the response, and such requests will be honored.
Comments should be submitted no later than Friday, Feb. 22, to the following address: Office of the Circuit Executive, P.O. Box 193939, San Francisco, CA 94119-3939, Attn: Reappointment of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brown. Comments can also be sent via fax to (415) 355-8901.
Help Make the Case for Access to Justice
Having concrete information that shows how much pro bono work Oregon lawyers already are doing increases the chances for stable funding for legal services.
Help make the case for access to justice by reporting your pro bono hours this year. The pro bono reporting data collected shows the number of attorneys performing pro bono service during a given time period, the number of hours served and details about financial contributions made to pro bono and legal services programs.
This information facilitates recognition of contributing attorneys, enhancing the public image of the legal profession and improving the coordination of statewide pro bono delivery efforts.
Report your hours for 2012 at www.osbar.org/probono/reporting.html.