HOD5_Results

Whereas, providing equal access to justice and high-quality legal representation to all Oregonians is central to the mission of the Oregon State Bar;

Whereas, equal access to justice plays an important role in the perception of fairness of the justice system;

Whereas, programs providing civil legal services to low-income Oregonians are a fundamental component of the Bar’s effort to provide such access;

Whereas, since 1998, pursuant to ORS 9.572, the Oregon State Bar has operated the Legal Services Program to manage and provide oversight of funds allocated by the State of Oregon for legal aid. This is done in accordance with the Bar’s Standards and Guidelines, which incorporate national standards for operating a statewide legal aid program;

Whereas, Oregon’s legal aid programs do not have sufficient resources to meet the civil legal needs of Oregon’s poor;

Whereas, assistance from the Oregon State Bar and the legal community is critical to maintaining and developing resources that will provide low-income Oregonians meaningful access to the justice system; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Oregon State Bar:

(1) Strengthen its commitment and ongoing efforts to improve the availability of a full range of legal services to all citizens of our state, through the development and maintenance of adequate support and funding for Oregon’s legal aid programs and through support for the Campaign for Equal Justice.

(2) Request that Congress and the President of the United States make a genuine commitment to equal justice by adequately funding the Legal Services Corporation, which provides federal support for legal aid.

(3) Work with Oregon’s legal aid programs and the Campaign for Equal Justice to preserve and increase state funding for legal aid and explore other sources of new funding.

(4) Actively participate in the efforts of the Campaign for Equal Justice to increase contributions by the Oregon legal community, by establishing goals of a 100% participation rate by members of the House of Delegates, 75% of Oregon State Bar Sections contributing, and a 50% contribution rate by all lawyers.

(5) Support the Oregon Law Foundation and its efforts to increase resources through the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, and encourage Oregon lawyers to bank with financial institutions that are OLF Leadership Banks, meaning that they pay the highest IOLTA rates.

(6) Support the Campaign for Equal Justice in efforts to educate lawyers and the community about the legal needs of the poor, legal services delivery and access to justice for low-income and vulnerable Oregonians.

(7) Encourage Oregon lawyers to support civil legal services programs through enhanced pro bono work.

(8) Ensure continued funding for critical immigration legal services so that the most vulnerable Oregonians are provided legal representation.

 

 

 
 

Submitted by:
Peter A. Werner, OSB# 091722, HOD Region 1
Maureen McGee, OSB #120215, HOD Region 5
Kristie Gibson, OSB #990528, HOD Region 2
Vanessa Nordyke, OSB# 084339, HOD Region 6, OSB Past President 2018
Victory Walker, OSB #014483, HOD Region 3
Heather Decker, OSB# 962589, HOD Region 7