Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Portland, Permit No. 3215 THE LAWYERS’ CAMPAIGN FOR EQUAL JUSTICE SUPPORTING LEGAL AID IN OREGON Fall 2004

921 SW WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 520 • PORTLAND, OR 97205 • 503-295-8442 • [email protected]

other families, failed jobs and increasing anger and Advocating in Oregon abuse. While staying with Bill’s sister in Virginia, Debi took a blow to the stomach that caused her to miscarry. EBI In the doctor’s office that afternoon, she saw some Legal Aid Open D women in poor condition with visible bruises. She recalls, “I just didn’t associate myself with that at all.” Houses set for WESTENBARGER That night, Bill hit Wyley for the first time and left a by Jane Wilcox mark. Debi waited until he was out of the house and ebi Westenbarger and her sons Wyley, four and fled with her baby to a crisis shelter. There she saw the October 19th a half, and Kaleb, three, are building a new women with new eyes, “I met women like those I saw in ake plans to attend a 2004 Legal Aid Open family life. They play at the park, attend day- the doctor’s office—I was amazed. I cried all that night.” House in your area. Ceremonies are sched- D care, celebrate birthdays and have fun at home. It has Over the next year Debi Westenbarger repeatedly uled at 16 legal aid offices and courthouses M not been that way for long. Until Debi sought help tried to make things better and, when that failed, to rec- on Tuesday, October 19th. from legal aid in May of 2002, she and her sons were oncile and adjust. Kaleb, her second son, was born that • Albany, LASO/OLC Offices, 4-6 pm, Speakers: First living day to day with the reality of domestic violence. summer. When he came home, Bill became even more Lady Mary Oberst and Governor To Debi, marriage is such a serious commitment violent. Soon after Bill slammed her fingers in the cup- • Bend Legal Aid Office, 1029 NW 14th St, 11:30 am- that it took some time for her to be certain what was board, Debi visited her grandparents. They encouraged 1:30 pm, Speaker: Ira Zarov, Executive Director, right. Although it was far her to leave her husband. Professional Liability Fund from the worst thing that Her grandparents told her, • Coos Bay Oregon Law Center, 295 S 10th St, happened, Debi’s endur- “What you live with is 4-6 pm, Speaker: State Rep. ance ended one night what your children will • Eugene, Lane County Legal Services, 376 E 11th Ave, when Bill slammed her become. You have to be 4-6 pm, Speaker: Senator Ron Wyden fingers repeatedly in the strong for you and your • Grants Pass Oregon Law Center, 207 SW G St, Suite cupboard door and a kids.” She heard their mes- C, 4-6 pm, Speaker: William Carter, Oregon State Bar short time later, frustrat- sage. She returned home President ed that Wyley wasn’t and called legal aid. • Hillsboro Legal Aid Office, 230 NE 2nd Ave, Suite A, walking fast enough, Attorneys Anna Davis 4-6 pm, Speakers: Hon. Marco Hernandez, Washington picked the two-year-old and Leslea Smith helped County Circuit Court; Rep. David Wu (invited) up by the hair to ‘walk Debi with a restraining him along.’ Debi found order and later with a • Medford Center for Nonprofit Legal Services, Jackson County Courthouse, 11:30-1:30, Speaker: Hon. James Legal Aid Services of divorce and custody Redden, US District Court Oregon in the phone arrangements. Davis says, book. Attorney Anna “She was just learning the • McMinnville Legal Aid Office, 720 E 3rd, 11:30-1:30, Davis at the Hillsboro danger of her situation but Speakers: Michael Mason, Chair, Legal Aid Board of Directors; State Rep. Donna Nelson office helped her get a she knew she needed restraining order. Debi help.” When Debi was • Newport, Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 W Olive St, says, “When I met Anna frightened to go into the Newport, 12-1 pm, Speaker: Hon. , US Davis, she was like a hearing, Anna Davis District Court PHOTO: JULIE KEEFE light in the darkness for described the process to • Ontario Oregon Law Center, 225 SW 1st Ave, #6, that part of my life. She helped me legally and then, for prepare her for what she would face. When Bill violat- 11:30-1:30 pm, Speaker: Mike Neal, Litigation the things she couldn’t help with, she just listened.” ed the restraining order, legal aid provided moral sup- Director, Oregon Law Center Debi left her family home in Beaverton at 18 to port and information to Debi while the district attorney • Oregon City Legal Aid Office, 421 High St, Suite 110, attend a religious college in Michigan. She hoped to prosecuted the violation. Bill served three weeks in jail. 12-2 pm, Speaker: Robert Grey, President, American complete the two-year program and be sent on a mis- Bar Association; Hon. , US Attorney sion to Africa. Her grandfather had been a medical mis- for Oregon sionary in Brazil and her father had grown up in Brazil. ”When I met Anna Davis, she was like • Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Soon after the school year started, Debi met Bill. Bill a light in the darkness for that part of 6-8:30 pm, Speakers: Kent Robinson, Chief, Criminal was interested in Africa, too. They started dating, my life. She helped me legally and Division, US Attorney’s Office; Hon. Ronald Pahl, became engaged in January 1999 and married the fol- Umatilla Circuit Court lowing June. then, for the things she couldn’t help • Portland Offices of Legal Aid Services of Oregon and From the beginning Debi was afraid things were not with, she just listened.” Oregon Law Center, 921 SW Washington St, 5th right. Her parents had told her that marriage was a dif- Floor, 3-5 pm, Speakers: Robert Grey, President, ficult adjustment and so she tried to adjust and found American Bar Association; State Senator herself apologizing a lot—for her housekeeping, for As the divorce proceeded, Debi began to teach pre- • Roseburg Legal Aid Office, 700 SE Kane, 4-6 pm, her cooking, for opening the curtains when someone school. This fall, she will return to school to prepare for Speaker: State Rep. Susan Morgan might see her. Even speaking to male acquaintances a nursing career. Portland Community College helped • Salem Marion-Polk Legal Aid Services, 1655 State St, was not allowed. her find grants that would pay expenses for her first 12-1 pm, Speaker: Hon. David Brewer, Oregon Court Wyley, Debi’s first son, was premature and stayed in year. She hopes, when the boys are older, to fulfill her of Appeals the hospital for six weeks. Beginning then, Bill became dreams by going on short-term medical missions. She • Woodburn Community Center, 491 N 3rd St, 4-6 pm, more abusive and began hitting Debi. Wyley needed praises Anna Davis and Leslea Smith, “I cannot thank Speaker: Hardy Myers, Oregon Attorney General special care and so Bill and Debi were asked to take a you and legal aid services enough for the support and leave from school. This began a series of stays with borrowed strength to move over that awful hill.”

PAGE 1 OPEN HOUSES PAGE 2 LEGAL AID PROFILE PAGE 3 LAF-OFF PAGE 4 ENDOWMENT FUND INSIDE Schedules and Speakers Ann Lininger 2004 Campaign Kicks Off Lou Savage THIS ADVOCATING BRIEFLY PITCHING IN OTLA lawyers ISSUE IN OREGON Pro Bono lawyers take on discuss Endowment Debi Westenbarger Supreme Court Case Legal Aid Profile:

ANN LININGER al housing group, attempting to create hous- Lewis and Clark Law School beginning in September. by Jane Wilcox ing consistent with the goals of the fair share Lininger and Charlie Harris, CDLC senior staff attorney, ttorney Ann Lininger, Co-Director of the project. She says, “That was a situation will serve as adjunct faculty to Lewis and Clark. Through Community Development Law Center, where I first glimpsed the kind of work that this program, known as the Community Development Areturned to Oregon after graduating I’m doing now. At Victims Services Agency, Law Project, law students will work at CDLC, receive from Yale University, University I participated in housing development from training in the types of legal assistance CDLC provides, School of Law and working in Denver where, the client side, working with lawyers, and assist nonprofit housing organizations and other non- among other jobs, she was an associate at the law bankers, foundations, contractors, and archi- profits under staff supervision. Although there are many firm of Hogan & Hartson LLP. It had always tects to create more housing for these fami- civil legal clinics in law schools across the , been her plan to live and work in Oregon. She says, “My lies. Now I’m doing similar transactions from the lawyer this is one of the few clinics to provide hands-on training family has lived in Oregon for four generations and I feel side.” in transactional work. really rooted to this state. The poet Wendell Berry says, Back in Oregon in 2001, Lininger began work at the Lininger says that the project is exciting because “We ‘If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who Community Development Law Center to help address are going to be able to expand our capacity to help you are.’ In Oregon I feel most like myself.” Oregon’s shortage of Oregon’s non- Lininger moved to New York in 1990 to work for the low-income housing. “This project enables us to serve our clients, profits. This pro- Human Resources Administration The CDLC assists non- ject enables us to through the city’s Urban Fellows program. That work led profit housing organi- teach students about transactional work, and serve our clients, to a strong interest in housing issues and in the idea of zations statewide by introduce a new generation of lawyers to ways teach students lawyers working collaboratively to solve problems for providing transactional they can use their skills to help low-income about transaction- people in need. work related to the al work, and As an Urban Fellow, Ann worked on the Dinkins development, preserva- people. It’s a great collaboration.” introduce a new administration’s fair share siting initiative. The initiative tion and management generation of aimed to develop transitional housing for homeless peo- of housing for people with very low incomes. Their work lawyers to ways they can use their skills to help low- ple in varied parts of the city, not solely the poorer areas. has a special focus on small rural housing developments income people. It’s a great collaboration.” Lininger says, “We were trying to collaborate with dif- that could not be created or maintained without the help Ann Lininger is doing the work she came home to do. ferent interest groups to develop community support, city of legal aid attorneys. As Lininger had foreseen years ear- She says, “I love Oregon. I love the fact that there are support, and nonprofit support for putting these projects lier, there was a role for her as a lawyer in making low- intelligent and creative people in Oregon working to find all around the city.” income housing development and preservation possible solutions to the problems that face this state, including From city government, Lininger went on to do similar by adding the ingredient of low-cost legal information the need for affordable housing. I want to devote my work with Victims Services Agency, a nonprofit that pro- and transactional assistance. skills to help make Oregon a better place where everyone vided social services and housing for New York families Now a Co-Director of the CDLC, Lininger is oversee- can enjoy the opportunities and benefits we enjoy in this experiencing domestic violence. Ann led their transition- ing a new clinical program that CDLC is operating for beautiful state.”

money restriction would make it possi- last May, the law firms of Schwabe Human Services’ National Institute for Briefly... ble for legal aid providers to serve Williamson & Wyatt; Stoel Rives; Occupational Safety and Health has many more clients. Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson; and awarded a four-year $863,000 grant National News Klarquist Sparkman as well as for a project that will promote the Bipartisan group of Northwest Staffing Resources health and safety of indigenous people, Representatives urge end to Senators requests increased answered the call for contributions of mostly Mexicans and Central furnishings and computers. Schwabe private money restriction; funding in FY05 Americans, who work in Oregon agri- Williamson & Wyattt provided confer- cite faith-based programs This past May, Oregon’s full con- culture. Project partners include the ence tables, folding tables and match- US Representatives Jose Serrano gressional delegation signed a letter to ing chairs that became the cornerstone Oregon Law Center, Portland State (D-NY) and David Price (D-NC) tes- the House Appropriations committee for Oregon Law Center’s first confer- University School of Community tifed in the House of Representatives requesting increased funding for the ence room and helped outfit several Health, Salud Health Clinics, and Legal Services Corporation in fiscal to the harm caused to legal services OLC and LASO staff offices. Stoel Northwest Tree Planters and year 2005. They said, in part, “[W]e programs and the low-income people Rives donated twenty-five hard drives Farmworkers United (PCUN). The they serve by legal aid restrictions. support an increase in funding that equipped with monitors, keyboards indigenous farmworkers will them- would help the LSC fulfill the mandate They highlighted the so-called “private and speakers to Oregon Law Center, entrusted upon it by Congress when it selves be directly involved, participat- money restriction” which prohibits enabling them to update computers at was established.” In June, Senators ing in forums and assisting, in their legal aid programs that accept Legal regional offices in Coos Bay, Grants Wyden and Smith joined with forty own languages, with the design of Services Corporation funding from Pass, Ontario, Woodburn and Albany other US Senators in a letter to the information and outreach. The project using money raised from private as well as Portland. Oregon Law Senate Appropriations Committee in aims to develop community-based sources to perform restricted services. Center administrator Lori Alton says, support of the Legal Services strategies to inform indigenous work- Representative Price suggested, “We have found Schwabe, Stoel Rives Corporation’s request for increased ers about health hazards associated “Congress should require LSC and many other firms to be very gener- grantees to abide by the same long- funding. Since then, the House has with agricultural work. Nargess passed an FY05 budget that authorizes ous partners in helping us with dona- standing rules promulgated by the Shadbeh, Farmworker Program $335.3 million for the Legal Services tions of furniture and equipment.” Office of Management and Budget for Director of the Oregon Law Center, Corporation, the same amount appro- Klarquist Sparkman, Stoel Rives and nonprofit grantees of Federal agencies, NW Staffing Resources donated will oversee and administer project by the IRS for all nonprofit 501(c)(3) priated in 2004. On September 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee enough furniture to outfit several other activities. and (c)(4) organizations, and by the approved a recommendation of $335 rooms at OLC and LASO and Stoel The Oregon Community Founda- Bush administration for faith-based million. Rives contributed five computers to tion and PacifiCorp Foundation for groups.” He explained that these rules LASO for use in-house. Learning have awarded grants in 2004- are adequate and less costly. “All of 2005 for continuation of the Oregon these rules authorize nonprofits receiv- State News Oregon Law Center Law Center’s Indigenous Farmworker ing Federal funds to engage in various receives national and local privately funded activities like lobby- Law firms make generous Project. The project assists farmwork- ing and praying without requiring equipment donations to grants for outreach and ers who speak indigenous languages them to do so through physically sepa- legal aid programs education to indigenous with legal information about employ- rate entities with separate staff and When Oregon Law Center and farmworkers ment, housing, health care and other equipment.” Removal of the private Legal Aid Services of Oregon moved US Department of Health and critical issues.

2 The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice 921 SW WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 520 • PORTLAND, OR 97205 • 503-295-8442 LAF-OFF comedy night launches the 2004 Campaign for Equal Justice by Matthew Jones Clark Law School and turned to the audience to name the ircuit Court Judge Dale Koch, US District Court winner. The field was highly competitive and the judges Judge Anna Brown and Oregon Supreme Court gave high marks to all. Other contestants included Jim CJustice Thomas Balmer donned black robes, but Egan of Kryger Alexander Egan & Elmer; Bernie traded their gavels for scorecards on Friday, September Thurber of Davis Wright Tremaine; Mark Turner of Ater 10th to preside over Laf-Off. 750 lawyers, judges, friends Wynne; Ira Zarov of Professional Liability Fund (and his and supporters of legal aid attended this evening of stand- brother); and Eric Bergstrom, Multnomah County up comedy at the Oregon Convention Center to kick off District Attorney’s Office (billed as the ‘Mystery DA’ in the 2004 Campaign for Equal Justice. the event’s publicity). Laf-Off was the brainchild of Prashant Dubey, Vice Kerry Tymchuck, state director for Senator Gordon

President of Marketing for FIOS, Inc. “Legal aid services Smith, hit just the right tone as master of ceremonies. As PHOTO: MIKE RENFROW Laf-Off winner Bill Abendroth (center), runners-up Jack are important to Oregon’s system of justice and to the a former speechwriter for Senator Bob Dole, he found Bogdanski (left) and Lori Deveny (right) low-income Oregonians who benefit from their help,” particular delight in introducing the night’s headliner, says Dubey. “It seemed appropriate that FIOS, Inc., a Mark Katz. Katz was ’s humor speechwriter for the Campaign right out of the gate,” says Ed Harnden, provider of services to Oregon law firms, could rally the and the author of Clinton and Me from which he shared Co-chair of the 2004 Campaign. “It was just amazing to corporate community in supporting this important cause.” his comedic insights about those who hold the nation’s look out into the room and see 750 people gathered FedEx Kinko’s, CRESA Partners, Angels Northwest highest political office. together to help launch this year’s Campaign.” Larry Rew Reporting Services and Brown Printing Inc. joined FIOS Linda Clingan, the Campaign’s executive director, of Pendleton and Doug Schmor of Medford are once as major sponsors of the says that the goal of the Laf-Off again joining Ed as Co-chairs. “Even though the event. was to increase corporate support Campaign continues to grow every year, there is still a In the comedy compe- for legal aid in a lighthearted way great gulf to fill in meeting the demand for civil legal ser- tition, sole practitioner and to create an event that would vices for low income citizens,” continues Harnden. “And Bill Abendroth of appeal to younger lawyers. Clingan it will once again take the participation of lawyers from Portland was declared the says, “The next generation needs to throughout the state to reach our goal of $850,000. This funniest of the lawyer- hear this message and we’ve really is every lawyer’s campaign.” comics. The judges dead- worked out a way to kick off the The theme of the 2004 Campaign is ‘Protecting locked in a four-way tie campaign that was highly energiz- Oregon Families.’ 42% of legal aid cases involve family among Abendroth; Lori ing. The local comedians stole the law issues. Over 600,000 Oregonians live in poverty Deveny, Oregon Women show. Kerry Tymchuk was brilliant today and almost half of them are children. Two thirds of Lawyers; Mitra Shahri, and the judges—well, there was no legal aid clients are women, most of them mothers. Even Oregon Trial Lawyers lack of judicial candor!” while the Campaign continues to grow, the need is ever Association; and Jack “We are thrilled to have an event greater. The reality for Oregon families is that legal aid is Bogdanski, Lewis and that creates this kind of momentum able to help only two in five people who seek services.

Pitching In: EXPERT LEGAL TEAM MOUNTS CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE FOR LEGAL AID by Jane Wilcox the facts of Yancy an opportunity to seek clarification on number of times.” Pulvers, Chair of the Constitutional om Christ, Charlie Hinkle and Roy Pulvers the status of moot cases that raise important public issues Law Section, saw an opportunity to help get the petition teamed up in July offering their services pro bono and are likely to be repeated. He agreed to co-counsel pro accepted for review. He worked with the Board of Tto legal aid to take on the issue of mootness before bono. Christ noted, “This is an issue that goes far beyond Governors to encourage their participation and he wrote the Oregon Supreme Court. Christ, partner at Cosgrave him [Yancy] and applies to everybody who has ever been the Bar’s amicus brief. Christ agrees that the Bar’s sup- Vergeer Kester, argued the case, Yancy v. Shatzer and the excluded from a park under this ordinance or anyone who port was key. City of Portland, before the Oregon Supreme Court. Stoel is potentially excludable, which is to say, all of us.” At oral argument, Christ asked the justices to affirm Rives partner, Charlie Hinkle, wrote the historical analy- Ed Johnson explains why this issue is important to that lower courts have discretion to rule in certain moot sis used in the brief. Pulvers, partner at Lindsay Hart Neil legal aid clients. “When you have access to funds, it is cases. He asserted that there is nothing in Oregon’s con- & Weigler, working pro bono as chair of the possible to bring a case before the court more quickly. stitution that prohibits exceptions to the mootness doc- Constitutional Law Section, weighed in for the Oregon Low-income clients are obliged to pursue options such as trine and that the idea of making exceptions in certain State Bar Board of Governors, writing the Bar’s amicus letters, grievance processes, or hearings that may not be cases evolved over time in both state and federal courts brief. The briefs in the case addressed moot issues capable completed while the issue is still active.” and in the Oregon courts. of repetition yet evading review. Election challenges, rules Attorney Charlie Hinkle believes that the Oregon On September 16th, the Supreme Court issued its for ballot initiatives, temporary guardianships of seniors Constitution does allow this exception to the mootness decision. In Yancy v Shatzer, the majority rejected the and 30-day park exclusions are examples of such issues. doctrine. Hinkle, like Christ and Pulvers, has challenged doctrine of ‘capable of repetition yet evading review.’ Oregon Law Center lawyers Ed Johnson and Marc the Oregon courts’ position, noting that all 49 other states Justices Balmer and Riggs issued a separate opinion Jolin initially represented Yancy. Yancy’s case challenged and the federal courts have long recognized the need for arguing that Oregon should recognize the doctrine. the constitutionality of Portland’s park exclusion ordi- courts to rule on moot issues that are important. Hinkle Another case that became moot, Kerr v. Bradbury, nance arguing that it failed to comply with due process explains, “The highest courts of 49 states have said, ‘Yes, regarding election law, has been granted a petition for requirements and because it was used to harass poor and we’re going to review. Also, a decision homeless people in Portland. Portland police officers decide cases of pub- “Practicing law is a privilege …I believe issued on September 23rd in arrested Terry Yancy for jaywalking and issued a ticket lic importance that State v Snyder will affect the excluding him from three parks for 30 days. Johnson and raise questions of there is a corresponding obligation to Oregon courts’ treatment of Jolin appealed the exclusion to the city’s Code Hearings the proper applica- make sure that everyone who needs a certain issues that are moot. Officer, Shatzer. The appeal was rejected. Next Johnson tion of law. Public lawyer has one.” Attorney Tom Christ Tom Christ has been and Jolin challenged the exclusion ordinance in officials need to engaged in this issue over a Multnomah County Circuit Court. The court upheld the know what the law long period. Of the time city’s ordinance and Yancy appealed. The Oregon Court is and we’re going to decide [these cases] even if the par- spent, he says, “Practicing law is a privilege …I believe of Appeals denied the appeal on grounds that the 30-day ticular election or the particular prison term or the partic- there is a corresponding obligation to make sure that park exclusion had ended and so the issue was moot. ular whatever is over and done with.’” everyone who needs a lawyer has one …I’ve always felt After the case was rejected by the Court of Appeals, At the time Christ took on the task of petitioning the I should do my part to fulfill the need.” He is not alone in legal aid sought help to appeal the case to the Supreme Supreme Court on behalf of Yancy, Pulvers said “…it had holding this view. Private attorneys in Oregon donate Court. Tom Christ, who has a longstanding interest in the reached a pass where the court wasn’t taking this [type thousands of hours each year to help meet the legal needs Oregon judiciary’s refusal to rule on moot issues, saw in of] case even though the parties had brought it to them a of low-income people.

921 SW WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 520 • PORTLAND, OR 97205 • 503-295-8442 The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice 3 OREGON Access to Justice ENDOWMENT FUND

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF LEGAL AID Ð LOU SAVAG E by Mabsie Walters ed whose goal was to zero out federally provided leadership and a way for the legal communi- ou Savage, former funded legal services. My goal was to diver- ty to support legal aid—to adopt it as their cause.” Executive Director of sify the funding and create funding sources Savage is hopeful about the future of stable and ade- LMultnomah County Legal that would be more stable and reliable. We quate funding for legal aid. “The Oregon Access to Aid and now Senior Policy knew that, even if the political environment Justice Endowment Fund is the next great effort,” he Advisor for the Oregon changed, we could never again rely heavily believes. “If this endowment can get off the ground, Department of Consumer and on federal money for legal aid.” maybe provide a million dollars a year, it will form the Business Services, has made a Since then, significant new sources of foundation for funding that we can rely on when we’re bequest to the Oregon Access to funds have been established. By statute, a assessing the legal needs of the poor and planning Justice Endowment Fund. portion of each filing fee goes to legal aid, where resources should be directed.” Savage’s commitment to access as does the interest on lawyers’ trust Savage wants to help raise money for the to justice began in college. He accounts (IOLTA). Endowment because recalls, “I took a class called ‘The Economics of The Campaign for Equal “…(W)e must keep Poverty’ and I saw the impact of legal services on the Justice, established in 1991, “...[W]e must keep working to expand working to expand lives of the poor. I decided to go to law school. It was- was another funding strategy. and stabilize funding for legal aid if and stabilize fund- n’t just, ‘Oh, it would be fun to be a lawyer.’ It was, ‘I Savage remembers, “Ira our justice system is going to work. ing for legal aid if want to be a legal aid lawyer.’” (Zarov, then director of our justice system is Savage worked for legal services in Multnomah Oregon Legal Services) and I Nobody understands this more than going to work. County for seventeen years. He began as a staff attor- spent a year and a half plot- lawyers.” Attorney Lou Savage Nobody understands ney in 1974 going on to serve as executive director for ting it and the Campaign ship this more than eight years. left the dock as I was leaving lawyers. We’re sort “When I took over as director of Multnomah legal aid in 1991. The Campaign for Equal Justice has of like the canary in the mineshaft—if we know people County Legal Aid,” Savage says, “two-thirds of all grown to be an important source of funding as well as are shut out of the justice system, it’s a sign that our money was federal money. A president had been elect- an important advocate for legal aid. The Campaign has democratic society isn’t working.”

and in the company of such gracious and committed formulate the specifics of this plan. Fifty thousand dol- OTLA lawyers hosts. We spent time talking about our shared history, lars remains to be raised to complete Robert Stoll’s the fact that in a sense we had grown up together, many matching gift of $100,000. Any OTLA member is wel- of us having known each other for twenty or thirty come to join the conversation at this stage. To join the gather to plan years.” effort, please call Linda Clingan, Executive Director of “We had a chance to reflect on our careers as the Oregon Access to Justice Endowment Fund at 503- endowment effort lawyers, people whose livelihoods have depended on a 295-8442. by Mabsie Walters fair and accessible civil justice system, and that per- n a beautiful August evening, Governor Ted haps it is time to consider a payback to that system. Kulongoski and First Lady Mary Oberst host- One very logical and immediate way to make that pay- LEGAL AID OFFICES Oed a dinner on the terrace of Mahonia Hall. back would be to provide for the future of legal aid in in Oregon Chuck and Nancy Tauman, Linda Love and Michael our state through gifts to the Oregon Access to Justice Williams, Robert and Barre Stoll, and Larry and Peggy Endowment Fund. This would be a lasting way to Wobbrock were co-hosts. Thirty-one OTLA lawyers, demonstrate our commitment to legal aid.” What We Do their spouses and three adult children gathered for din- Husbands and wives had an opportunity to hear the Housing Employment Law ner and conversation. The lawyers, all longtime gener- lawyers’ commitment to justice and to the civil justice Family Law Administrative Law ous supporters of The Campaign for Equal Justice, system. The presence of two high school students and Domestic Violence Senior Law came together to discuss how to help guarantee the a recent college graduate was nice because it linked the future of legal aid. generations. It was evident that these young adults were Pendleton Hillsboro Portland Oregon City Woodburn Salem Albany Newport Ontario Eugene Bend

Coos Bay

Roseburg Grants Pass Medford Mike Neal and First Lady Mary Oberst Ð Barbara Slader, David Slader, and Governor Kulongoski Ð Jim Coon, Bob Stoll, Mark Bocci and Chuck Tauman Mike Neal, Litigation Director for Legal Aid’s very proud to hear their mothers and fathers talking Where We Are Oregon Law Center, described two significant recent about providing for legal needs of the next generation. Legal Aid Services of Oregon– cases, both currently on appeal. One lawsuit challenges Tauman believes the assembled lawyers were very Albany Newport Portland receptive. “I was pleased with the conversation. We the elimination of the state’s medically needy program, Bend Oregon City Roseburg affecting thousands of people whose lives and mental discussed several ways of making the kind of contribu- Hillsboro Pendleton Woodburn health depend on prescription medications. The other tion that would be meaningful not only today, but lawsuit challenges the state’s practice of indiscrimi- would be meaningful years from now.” One proposal Center for NonProfit Marion-Polk Legal nately changing the eligibility standards of people under consideration is a named fund to support a liti- Legal Services Aid Services receiving long-term care at home, often resulting in gation director, the position held by Mike Neal at the – Medford – Salem people losing their homes. Oregon Law Center, thereby ensuring that the work he Lane County Legal Oregon Law Center – Chuck Tauman, who led the discussion, described does will continue in future years. Aid Services Coos Bay, Grants the evening, “It was a perfect time to stop and reflect The lawyers who hosted the dinner intend to con- – Eugene Pass, Ontario, about the future, especially in such a peaceful setting tinue working with a small group of OTLA members to Portland, Woodburn Lane County Law & Advocacy Center – To learn more about the Oregon Access to Justice Endowment Fund, Eugene call Linda Clingan, Executive Director, at 503-295-8442.

4 The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice 921 SW WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 520 • PORTLAND, OR 97205 • 503-295-8442 • [email protected]