Multnomah Bar Association

Welcome to the Multnomah Bar Association Website

Speedy Justice For Civil Cases in Multnomah County

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. For more information, see the media release, program description, expedited civil jury trial motion, expedited civil jury trial order and outline of what to expect at the first case management conference of an expedited case.

Draft Supplementary Local Rules Available for Review

The Fourth Judicial District draft rules are available for MBA members to review. The rules will be reviewed at the Uniform Trial Court Rules Committee fall meeting in October and will become effective February 1, 2011.

An Historical Retrospective of U.S. Supreme Court Decisions

U.S. Supreme Court

The Philadelphia Bar Association recently published an article, “The 10 Worst Supreme Court Decisions” that we found interesting and thought you would too.

Multnomah Bar Foundation Campaign and Social

The MBF marks its fifth anniversary with a campaign to raise $100,000 for the MBA 100th Anniversary Community Gift Fund and a celebratory social. Donations will be used for civic education grants and for the development of a new civic education video series. See donor benefits. Invest in civic education, help to increase the public's understanding of the justice system and contribute now. The celebration social, hosted by Miller Nash LLP, is set for Tuesday, September 28, 5-6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to attend.

The MBF wishes to thank its generous contributors:

Partner $5,000 per year for 3 years	Supporter $1,000
MBA	Bullard Smith et al
Patron $5,000	Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Miller Nash LLP	Gevurtz Menashe et al
Friend $2,500	Edwin A. Harnden
Barran Liebman LLP	Thomas C. Sand
Enthusiast $1,500
YLS

Multnomah County Circuit Court Chosen as a Site for National Study on Civil Litigant Needs

A UC Davis study, funded by the National Science Foundation and the ABA, will assess legal services for civil litigants.

End of Summer BBQ and Field Day - Saturday, September 25

The MBA invites attorneys and their families to attend an End of Summer BBQ and Field Day sponsored by Barran Liebman, Gevurtz Menashe and Harrang Long Gary Rudnick on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 at Overlook Park (NE Fremont St. and Interstate Ave.). Join us for an afternoon of barbecue, games and camaraderie to celebrate the end of summer and beginning of fall. The MBA, courtesy of Barran Liebman, Gevurtz, Menashe and Harrang Long Gary Rudnick, will provide the grill, main courses, supplies and games. Attendees are asked to bring a side or dessert to share and their own beverages (beer and wine is permitted at the park). There is no cost, but space is limited, so if you plan on attending please RSVP to Kathy Maloney at kathy@mbabar.org or 503.222.3275.

13th Annual MBA Members Golf Championship - Monday, October 11

Enjoy the opportunity to play the prestigious Portland Golf Club and support the MBA’s annual fundraiser for the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) at LASO. Help us meet the 2010 goal to raise $10,000 for VLP! This event will include hole-in-one, KP, long drive and tee prizes, door prizes, dinner and awards. Tournament co-chairs are Dylan Cernitz and Kelly Evans, Gevurtz Menashe et al. Sponsorship opportunities available. Register by September 27. $225 through September 27; $250 after September 27; foursomes register for $900.

Follow-up: MBA Family & Friends Golf at McMenamins Edgefield

The Family & Friends golf outing brought men, women and children - experienced golfers, beginners and non-golfers alike - out for an afternoon of sunshine, fun and pitch and putt golf, followed by food, drink and prizes galore. Proceeds from the putting contest go to the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) at LASO. The Golf Committee wishes to thank OWLF and everyone who donated prizes for helping to make this event a success! Photos

MBA Absolutely Social - Tuesday, October 19

Please join us for the MBA Absolutely Social – The Grape Escape on Tuesday, October 19 at The University Club. This will be a fun evening to socialize with your colleagues and a chance to sample wines that have been selected by Albert Menashe and Matt Levin especially for the social. Click here for more information and to register.

MBA Professionalism Award Nominations Due Friday, November 5

The MBA Professionalism Award is one of the most highly regarded honors an attorney in our area can receive. You are strongly encouraged to nominate a member who meets the criteria for the award, which can be found on the nomination form.

First Thursday Joint Social with Diverse Bar Associations

On June 3, over 100 people attended the First Thursday Joint Social with Diverse Bar Associations which was co-hosted by the MBA and Perkins Coie along with state and local bar associations that support and celebrate the contributions of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. The co-sponsoring organizations were: Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association (OAPABA), Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association (OGALLA), Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (OHBA), Oregon Minority Lawyers Association (OMLA) and Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS). Read more and see photos from the event here.

See photos from the MBA Annual Meeting, Dinner and Judges Reception

Thank you to all sponsors and attendees of the MBA Annual Meeting, Dinner and Judges Reception on Tuesday, May 11. Photos from the evening are now posted on the here. Congratulations to Professionalism Award recipient, Garry Kahn; MBA President’s Award recipient, Judge Michael Marcus; MBA Award of Merit recipients Mark Fucile and Mary Pool; YLS Award of Merit recipients, Collin McKean, Joshua Ross and Slone Pearson; YLS Rookie of the Year Award recipient, Jennifer Woodhouse; Pro Bono Award recipients, Matthew Sorensen, Anne Steiner and Evans Van Buren.

MBA Offers Downloadable CLE

OSB members seeking CLE credit may now purchase audio files and written materials at any time from the MBA Web site. Classes available are accredited for all types of CLE credit. To purchase audio and written materials visit the CLE download page. MBA members who are not seeking CLE credit but would like CLE written materials may continue to download them free of charge from the MBA Member Section.

MetroEast Community Media

With a grant from the Multnomah Bar Foundation (MBF), MetroEast Community Media has created Community Involvement is Civic Engagement - a public service announcement (PSA) campaign that promotes volunteerism in county government. The PSAs, which include MBA members Heather Weigler and Amy Hoven, are currently running on Comcast Cable & Verizon FiOS channels in English and Spanish and are available as downloadable video files to be shared with other nonprofits.

Photo: MetroEast producers Emily Vidal, left and Kate Reynolds edit PSAs for the Community Involvement is Civic Engagement campaign.

YLS Futures Committee Articles

The YLS Futures Committee publishes articles in the Multnomah Lawyer. You are invited to read and comment on the articles online.

Legal Aid Announces Program on Foreclosure Crisis

Legal aid Services of Oregon announces the Oregon Foreclosure Legal Assistance project to help low-income citizens save their homes from foreclosures.

2010 Pro Bono Pledge

Help increase access to justice by committing to take at least one pro bono matter in 2010. Take the pro bono pledge today, and Take a Matter that Matters!

Statement of Diversity Principles Available for Your Signature

The MBA Equality Committee invites you to sign the new Statement of Diversity Principles. Demonstrate your commitment to diversity by signing the statement today. You can sign the statement online here.

MBA Member Section Technology Interactive Forum

Be sure to visit the Member Section (see top right of this page) interactive forum in the Technology corner. It’s a useful place to pose questions and get answers.