HOD4_Results

Whereas, Access to Justice for 80% of Oregonians remains unavailable;

Whereas, the number of OSB Lawyers has failed to keep pace with the population growth of Oregon and the ongoing shortage of Oregon Lawyers has become more critical in rural Oregon Counties;

Whereas, the continuing shortage of Public Defenders has also become an acute problem implicating deprivation of Constitutional Rights to Legal Services in Oregon;

Whereas, there is a growing shortage of OSB Lawyer Members available to satisfy the need for Lawyers to represent Persons in Civil and Criminal cases in Rural Areas and in underserved Communities;

Whereas, the limitations upon the scope of licensure of OSB Licensed Paralegals preclude Paralegals from appearing in Court in routine Traffic Court Violation Cases, routine Unemployment Hearings, routine DMV Implied Consent Hearings, routine Appearances in Circuit Courts, Municipal Courts, and in routine Administrative Agency matters;

Whereas, the scope of licensure of OSB Licensed Paralegals generally does not include any Court Appearances to assist OSB Licensed Lawyers, during Hearings, Motions, and Trials;

Whereas, creation of mid-level Licensure of Law Practitioners would provide greater Access to Justice by lowering the cost of Legal Services to the 80% of Oregonians that are unable to afford representation by Licensed Lawyers, especially in the foregoing types of routine matters;

Whereas, the existing the Oregon Law Schools have the resources to adapt Legal Education by providing a one-year curriculum [plus Internships] focused upon the foregoing types of routine matters, now;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Governors consider the feasibility of Licensure of Law Practitioners in order to better reach the unserved 80% of Oregonians in need of an intermedial range of Legal Services.

Presenter:
Danny Lang, OSB #790078, Ex-Officio Delegate, Region 3