Oregon State Bar Bulletin — AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014
Bar News
HOD Resolutions Due Sept. 23
The annual OSB House of Delegates meeting takes place Nov. 7 at the OSB Center in Tigard. September 23 is the deadline for resolutions for the meeting agenda, which will be distributed on Oct. 17 and appear on the bar’s website at www.osbar.org/leadership/hod/meeting.html. Resolutions may be sent to Camille Greene, Oregon State Bar, P.O. Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281; fax: (503) 598-6986; or email: cgreene@osbar.org.
The second round of House of Delegates regional meetings will take place Oct. 21-23. At these meetings the delegates will review the proposed resolutions and determine if they want to take a position at the House of Delegates meeting in November.
Visit www.osbar.org/leadership/hod for more detailed information about the OSB House of Delegates.
Report All Unclaimed or Abandoned Client Funds
It’s time to take a look at your lawyer trust account and determine whether any unclaimed or abandoned client funds should be forwarded to the Oregon State Bar in October. Funds are deemed unclaimed or abandoned if the owner has not accepted payment of the funds, corresponded in writing about the funds or otherwise indicated interest in the funds within two years after the funds are payable or distributable to the owner. Funds deemed unclaimed or abandoned as of June 30 of each year are to be reported during the month of October of that same year, although earlier reporting may be allowed upon written request. Unclaimed or abandoned funds held in lawyer trust accounts must be reported to the Oregon Department of State Lands, but paid over to the Oregon State Bar with a copy of the DSL report. Note that if the owner’s last known address is in a different state, those funds must be reported and sent to that state.
Unclaimed or abandoned client funds are appropriated to the OSB Legal Services Program to allocate funds to organizations providing civil legal aid to low-income Oregonians.
Questions about forwarding abandoned funds can be addressed to Judith Baker at (503) 431-6323 or jbaker@osbar.org.
Celebrate Pro Bono Oct. 23
The American Bar Association has designated Oct. 19-25 as Celebrate Pro Bono Week for 2014. In conjunction with this nationwide focus on the good things lawyers do, Oregon’s annual pro bono fair and awards reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the World Trade Center in Portland.
Three free CLEs that day will focus on pro bono topics: “Working with Non-Traditional Business Clients, Uncovering Assumptions and Breaking Down Stereotypes”; “Protective Orders in Oregon: Protecting Victims of Stalking, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault”; and “Pro Bono for New Lawyers: Getting Your Feet Wet Without Drowning.”
More details will be available in the October edition of the Bulletin and on the OSB website.
UTCR Committee Openings
The Uniform Trial Court Rules committee seeks attorneys with experience in general civil law trial practice to fill two positions. This is a volunteer position with appointment made by the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Candidates should have significant trial experience.
To apply, send a resume and cover letter describing your law practice, areas of expertise, qualifications, rulemaking experience and involvement in similar groups to bruce.c.miller@state.or.us or Bruce C. Miller, Office of the State Court Administrator, Supreme Court Building, 1163 State St., Salem, OR 97301. The application deadline is Nov. 14.
The UTCR committee is an advisory group to the chief justice that makes recommendations on the UTCR and Supplementary Local Rules. It meets twice a year in the fall and spring in Salem. Members work with judges, attorneys and court personnel from across the state on issues that directly affect litigation practice.
Visit http://courts.oregon.gov/OJD/programs/utcr/index.page? for more information.