A Grand Tradition e Object of the MBA set forth in the Constitution was: A Century of Service Celebrating a Century “To raise and maintain the dignity and honor of the legal Pullout of professional profession, and to prevent it from degenerating into a By Judy A. C. Edwards, courtesy and goodwill business; to increase its usefulness in promoting the due MBA Executive Director. administration of Justice; to cultivate social intercourse In planning the focus of this pullout, we among Multnomah chose enduring themes from past board among its members, and to enforce such discipline among minutes, scrapbooks, newsletters and County Lawyers its members as shall promote the observance of dignity and interviews with your colleagues who’ve By Hon. Garr M. King, US District Court. courtesy among the members of both bar and bench, and been around for the better part of MBA’s first century. You will find retrospectives Today, “professionalism” is actively prevent unprofessional conduct; and to recommend, advocate on the themes, as well as how they are promoted by numerous legal organizations and work for the enactment of such laws as shall promote viewed today. through education good government.” e subjects include independence of the programs, judiciary, importance of professionalism adoptions of in the Portland legal community, political codes and –February 17, 1906 activity, public outreach and a tribute to professionalism past board secretaries (see reprint of 1937 awards. In recent minutes) who have toiled through the although minutes are missing from 1938- and believes that as time went by, it was years the MBA years as unsung heroes/heroines. has been a leader 1978. What was occurring between 1911 important to the bar, particularly to the in this area, and 1986? Were these years the dark younger lawyers. We invite members to give us responses recognizing as ages of professionalism? Fortunately, to anything in this pullout section and of early as 1986 the memories of practicing lawyers, Tom Cooney has practiced law in course to offer suggestions for topics for that problems of unprofessional conduct and the example set by Multnomah Multnomah County since 1956, and was future editions. If you would like to write were a subject of concern throughout County attorneys make it clear that a recipient of the MBA Professionalism a story or article for the pullout, please the organized bar. ereaer, the MBA professionalism was a fact of life for award. He recalls that “in the old days” you contact Judy Edwards, MBA Executive adopted a Professionalism Statement, practicing lawyers. ran into the same attorneys on a regular Director at [email protected]. basis. Lawyers seemed to practice by the initiated an annual professionalism award, th which was selected by the ABA as one of To confirm my personal feelings, I “golden rule.” It was not unusual to meet Premier MBA 100 eight model mentor programs, and in 1998 discussed our professional history with the other lawyer for lunch, agree on what Anniversary Celebration convened a “Summit on Professionalism” a number of lawyers. Jack Faust (MBA discovery would be taken, talk about the Sponsor which resulted in a number of initiatives, President 1974-1975) recalls that when case and at least make a start on getting e Naegeli Reporting Corporation including the MBA Professionalism he was a young lawyer “professionalism it amicably resolved. Lawyers seemed to Producer of the MBA 100th Anniversary Video Training Program. e Multnomah Lawyer was little discussed because it didn’t need have mutual respect for each other and regularly contains articles and columns to be; professionalism was a way of life.” wanted to protect their reputations for fair MBA 100th Anniversary addressing the subject of professionalism While the MBA did not have a staff, it dealing. At that time there were fewer than Celebration Sponsors and ethics, such as Robert Neuberger’s held monthly meetings, had a wonderful 1,000 practicing lawyers in Multnomah “From the President” article of May annual County (the Major Event Sponsors ($2,500) 2004 and Kelly Hagan’s discussion of banquet and thousandth Washington Trust Bank professionalism in the December 2005 put on some lawyer was Event Sponsors ($1,000) publication. Since 2003, Mark Fucile has legal and sworn in by Gevurtz Menashe Larson & Howe published an informative column on educational Judge James Tsongas Litigation Consulting ethics issues and decisions and recently programs. Crawford Preston Gates & Ellis “e Corner Office” has been added He recalls in 1961). As th which address scenarios involving sticky that lawyers the bar grew MBA 100 Anniversary situations lawyers oen find themselves in. dealing it did seem Community Gi Fund with each that lawyers Continues to Grow It is clear that in the last 15 or so years, the other rarely became more need for and the benefits of professional sent letters adversarial To commemorate the MBA’s past century of conduct and collegiality have been a confirming Jack Faust and service and to launch it into the next century focus of the MBA, but is this a new discussions. antagonistic J.W. Crawford as Willamette of service to the community, the MBA has phenomenon? Fortunately, the answer is ere were a few attorneys who presented and this University Graduate. Courtesy created the Multnomah Bar Association Oregon Historical Society th a resounding “NO.” For the last 100 years, problems, but everyone knew who the resulted in the 100 Anniversary Community Gi Fund. It and undoubtedly longer, the practicing “bad guys” were. convening of the Summit on Professionalism will be administered by the newly formed attorneys in Multnomah County have by the MBA President Al Menashe. e goal Multnomah Bar Foundation and will had the good fortune to be members of Cliff Powers was admitted to the Oregon was to get back to the professionalism level promote civic education and participation. a bar that has fostered and maintained Bar in 1930 and practiced in Multnomah previously experienced. e MBA kicked off the fundraising courtesy, civility and professionalism in County for over 70 years. He recalls that campaign by committing $50,000 to the the practice of law. e MBA came into when he was in law school he was told Bill Crow, who was admitted in 1961, is a fund. Listed below are those who have existence on February 17, 1906 when a by one of his professors “you will never former OSB president. His general feeling already made their generous donations constitution and bylaws were adopted. e get rich, but you will be respected in was that the lawyers “knew and respected or pledges. More names will be added minutes reflect that “50 gentlemen signed your community.” is was the message each other.” If there was someone you throughout the year. If you want to add your the membership roll.” e full object of he carried with him into the practice of couldn’t trust “word got around.” Bill name to the list, please contact Guy Walden the MBA set forth in the constitution law. Cliff practiced in both small firms hasn’t seen a decline in professionalism. at MBA at [email protected]. and as a sole practitioner. He recalls that While he recognizes that in the “olden is printed on this page. It embodies the Founder Donors ($20,000) from the ‘30s into the 1980’s it was not days” lawyers tended to know each other, essence of professionalism. Miller Nash the practice to write letters confirming he believes we have a very good bar which Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt agreements. You trusted and respected the is cooperative, responsive, honest and does True to their charge, this group of Bullivant Houser Bailey “gentlemen” presented programs in 1907, lawyers you dealt with. Cliff recalls only not engage in obstructionist conduct. 1910 and 1911 addressing the subjects one run-in with a lawyer over professional Centennial Partner Donors ($10,000) of “courtesy,” “ethics of personal damage conduct (a retired judge). “e bar was While there was no formal program in the Davis Wright Tremaine like a family, the general atmosphere was past, mentoring was a fact of life among cases,” “judges - ethics and demeanor,” Centennial Benefactor Donors ($5,000) civil and professional. e lawyers were the lawyers and was particularly important “the lawyer and his duty to the public” and Markowitz Herbold Glade & Mehlhaf my friends and I was proud to say that to the many lawyers who practiced “reciprocal courtesy between bench and Harrang Long Gary Rudnick I was a practicing lawyer.” Cliff recalls alone or in small firms. Tom Carter, who bar.” From that point until approximately Stoel Rives the development of the Multnomah Bar began practicing in 1966, recalls that he 1986, no minutes mentioned the subject, Ater Wynne �����(continues�� on next page) ��Cosgrave Vergeer Kester e subject of judicial independence Measures 21 and 22, which would practice law in a vacuum. People will treat The MBA and the kept a low profile in Oregon for many have adopted an electoral system that you as you treat them.” is was confirmed Fight for Judicial years, while the subject came to the fore included votes for “none of the above” by Garry’s trial practice mentors, Phil nationally on occasion over the next in uncontested elections and the Levin and Frank Pozzi. Garry feels that Independence in Oregon decades, including FDR’s plan to “pack” establishment of geographic electoral the trial lawyers were generally a collegial By Roy Pulvers, the Supreme Court in the 1930s, the districts for the state’s appellate courts. group. You knew you would see each other Lindsay, Hart Neil movement to “Impeach Earl Warren” in at coalition included not only other bar frequently. Matters were handled with a & Weigler. the wake of the Court’s decision in Brown groups (including the Oregon Law Center handshake or a phone call. Generally there v. Board of Education in the 1950s, and and the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers were lots of stipulations which tended to “Judicial the societal pressures on Southern judges Association), but also six former, present avoid discovery and help resolve issues. independence during the civil rights movement that and future Governors, former Chief Garry notes that in recent years, the bar is a cornerstone transformed the South and reached its Justice Edwin Peterson and former US has grown and many times you don’t of a democracy height in the 1960s. Attorney Kris Olson, law professors, “good know the attorneys on the other side of a committed to the government” groups like the League of case, which may result in communication rule of law. It is Among the shameful embarrassments of Women Voters, issue interest groups, the issues. incumbent on both the civil rights era were the failures of the Oregon Business Association, the ACLU lawyers and judges to educate the public Southern state and local bar associations to and labor unions (including SEIU, AFL- In reviewing the bar history, I noted that about the critical importance of judicial support the independence of the judiciary CIO, and AFSCME). from 1906 to 1987, no woman served as independence so that Oregon’s citizens will and to educate the public about the critical president until Susan Hammer in 1987. continue to support and keep faith with the role that impartial legal decisions play in As we head into the MBA’s second century ere is no doubt that women attorneys state’s history of dedication to the fair and creating respect for and enforcing the rule of public service, the MBA shows every have had to struggle and to outperform in impartial administration of justice.” of law. Judge Frank Johnson in Alabama, sign that it understands the importance of order to achieve equality in the practice Chief Justice Paul J. De Muniz one of the true heroes of that time, said that a “vigilant” bar, ready and able to stand up of law. Did women lawyers enjoy the he could excuse the individual lawyers who for the independence of the courts when professionalism which we believe to have As the partisan drama of a Supreme Court did not speak out, but he believed that the the occasion arises. In the spirit of what been practiced by MBA members over confirmation unfolds in the nation’s organized bars in the South “completely Wallace McCamant might have said when the years? capital, and as so-called “Judicial abdicated their [responsibility] to take some he addressed the MBA’s annual banquet ere is little Accountability Acts” begin to proliferate action defending judges that are under in 1912 on the subject of an independent in the way nationally and as initiatives in Oregon, it unwarranted criticism for court decisions judiciary, let me close with a suggestion. of recorded is the right moment to recall the history of that they have been required to make.” history, but judicial independence in Oregon and the Perhaps it is now time to promote an Chris Kitchel place of the MBA in that history. Spanning In a 2002 Willamette Law Review article amendment to the Oregon Constitution has practiced nearly all of its hundred years, the MBA on judicial independence (which was to prohibit elections to recall judges as a trial has played an effective, important role in cited by Justice Stevens in his dissent for during their terms of office so long as the lawyer since the fight for judicial independence in this four Justices in the most recent judicial judges are on “good behavior,” which is of 1981 and state. elections case and from which I have course the federal constitutional standard. reports that gratefully lied some of the Oregon Judges in Oregon are accountable to the she has had historical facts in this piece), Oregon’s citizens at the polls every six years; a truly “incredible Susan Hammer Chief Justice Paul J. De Muniz observed independent judiciary should not be support” within the bar from older male the increasing accountable at the polls every time a judge lawyers. She believes that Oregon is pressures on makes a controversial ruling. unique in the way that it deals with gender judges facing issues. She feels that there is a casualness election in the Editor’s Note: e views stated in the last of working together that results in a very last 15 years paragraph are the author’s and not a position comfortable relationship. She notes that to confront taken by the MBA. if you grew up practicing in Oregon, you Multnomah County Courthouse, circa 1910 issues of take this professionalism and general public policy A Grand Tradition courtesy for granted. One reason is that and to run (continuation) lawyers in Oregon deal lawyer-to-lawyer From 1859-1931, judicial elections full-blown rather than as adversaries and Oregon in Oregon were partisan, with judges electoral had a number of lawyers who acted lawyers are more considerate of each other. running on the ballot under the banner campaigns, as mentors as he was learning the of the political parties. In 1912, at the which Chief Justice Paul J. DeMuniz ropes. They were willing to answer The Multnomah Bar has a grand sixth annual banquet aer its founding, oen are necessary in order to counter questions and assist in any way tradition of courtesy, cooperation, the MBA featured speeches on “An public misperceptions about the role of that they could. As a small firm candor and of mentoring new lawyers, Independent Judiciary” by Wallace an independent judiciary in our system practitioner, he experienced the same and it is clear this is one of the reasons McCamant, “Recall of Judicial Decisions” of government. Like Judge Johnson, goodwill and professionalism as the lawyers in the MBA practice in a very by Ralph E. Moody, and “Peripatetic Chief Justice De Muniz (along with lawyers in the large firms. He cannot professional and collegial manner. It Justice” by Robert G. Morrow. Although his predecessor Chief Justice Carson) recall a real ethics controversy and is true that with the growth of the bar the texts of the speeches appear lost to recognized that judicial independence stresses the collegiality that he had there are more “offenders” now than in time, the subject matter persisted, and in requires the “vigilant and able support with the practicing lawyers. the past, but this is probably due to a 1919, the MBA discussed the endorsement of the bar,” including consideration of lack of training and communication. of legislation to provide for a non-political some mechanism to respond promptly to Justice judiciary and then adopted a resolution to misleading ad campaigns attacking judges Edwin Lawyers are problem solvers; their “go on record approving the principles of a and the courts during judicial elections. Peterson conduct should not increase difficulties non-political judiciary.” practiced between people who already have In keeping with those concerns, the law in difficulties. In Oregon, we require a high at December 1919 resolution led to MBA has been actively involved with Portland level of professional conduct from our prompt MBA Board action. A bill for a law the Multnomah County Circuit Court’s from 1957 practitioners. Since its inception, the had been draed by an MBA committee, and Judicial Outreach Committee for the last to 1979 Multnomah Bar has set an example for in January 1920 the board authorized the couple of years. e committee holds when professionalism and courtesy among committee to present the bill to the legislature annual open houses with legislators and he was lawyers and continues to strive for the and even to initiate a petition to place it on has given over 100 presentations to civic, appointed highest standards of ethical conduct, the ballot. Fast forward to 1930. e OSB neighborhood and religious groups. to the professionalism, civility and collegiality. Justice Edwin Peterson proposed a bill advocating non-partisan e OSB also has taken a much more Oregon judicial elections, and the 1931 Oregon active role of late in trying to engage Supreme Court. (Ed was the MBA Legislative Assembly passed the bill into law. lawyers throughout the state in public president in 1972-1973.) Ed liked to say at signal piece of legislation, first proposed dialogue to educate people and support that you could put up a board with the by the MBA in 1919, has continued to the independence of judges and judicial names of all the practicing lawyers, fire provide for our nonpartisan judicial election decisions, which is an issue that arises a dart at it, and just about every time, system to this day. most oen with respect to decisions in hit the name of an honest, upright, high-profile criminal cases and decisions cooperative advocate. He also recalled e voters had not been silent on the affecting the validity of initiatives. that lawyers who were hard to deal with subject of judicial independence either. oen received retribution from their Using their relatively new initiative power, In 2002, the MBA faced what it considered opponents. “eir professional life was the electors in 1910 amended Article VII the most serious threat to judicial not a happy one.” of the Oregon Constitution to de-politicize independence in Oregon since it had first and shi Supreme Court elections from advocated for a nonpartisan judiciary Garry Kahn started practicing as a electoral districts to statewide elections, more than 80 years before. e MBA plaintiffs’ lawyer in the early ‘60s. He and to continue to require the Justices of helped to organize and stood shoulder recalls Judge James Crawford (MBA the Oregon Supreme Court to subscribe to shoulder with a broad coalition to President in 1929-31), who taught to an oath to support the state and successfully engineer the defeat of the ethics at Northwestern College of Law federal constitutions and “faithfully and so-called “Judicial Accountability Act,” telling his students that “you don’t impartially” discharge their duties. $200, to local law students Bernie is address was followed by one A League of eir Own Jolles at Northwestern College of Law Minutes of Meeting entitled “Welcome to the Ranks”, given By Michael Dwyer and Caitlin Dwyer. and Garland Hunter at UO in 1960. of Multnomah Bar by Judge James W. Crawford, to lawyers Although they raised the money for the of Multnomah County who had been In 1958, the MBA – comprised scholarships, the women were not on the Association admitted to practice during the past overwhelmingly of men - wanted to decision-making committee. A group of October 13, 1937 year. Your secretary regrets to report that improve three men, judges and lawyers, reviewed before Judge Crawford was well into his By Ralph C. Hoeber, MBA Secretary. public the applications and chose the winners speech, your secretary was so awed by the outreach based on scholarship and need. combined oratory of the two speakers, and so they On Wednesday, October 13, 1937, a and listened with such rapt attention, that turned to the e organization also assisted with large- luncheon he forgot to take notes on this second best resources scale bar events. ey served as guides meeting of the speech. When he later approached Judge they could for wives of visiting attorneys during Association Crawford for a copy of his talk if he could find: their the ABA Regional Conference in May was held at recall it approximately, the Judge informed wives. e of 1960, touring the Rose Gardens, the the Portland his petitioner that he would take the MBA asked Portland Art Museum, the Sanctuary of Hotel, with matter of furnishing a copy under judicial the wives of our Sorrowful Mother, the Zoo and the 113 in advisement, where the matter still is. Your lawyers to newly built Lloyd Center. e weekend attendance. secretary feels it his duty to call attention Michael Dwyer form a new also featured high-fashion teas and dinner President John to the fact that by section 28-1702 of the group, called the Women’s Association parties at homes of Portland attorneys. A. Beckwith Oregon Code, it is the duty of any judge or the Women’s Auxiliary, that would presided. to decide any question submitted to him “bring attorneys’ wives together in behalf e Women’s Association brought within three months of such submission; of the public service programs of the speakers to Portland, usually to highlight Mr. W. that more than three months have elapsed bar associations.” Functioning as the a luncheon fundraiser. Early speakers M. Davis John A. Beckwith, 1939 since the petition for the copy of the social and public arm of the MBA, the included John Stone, a “liaison man” from reported on Courtesy Oregon Historical speech; that by said section, unless a Women’s Auxiliary fleshed out the bar’s the ABA to Hollywood who advocated for the state of Society judge swears all matters submitted to him public image, provided legal-oriented the portrayal of film lawyers as “figures health of more than three months ago have been volunteerism and offered a social venue our good friend and fellow member, Mr. decided, he may not draw his salary. If the for local attorneys and their wives. e George S. Shepherd. It was moved and delinquent organization was active throughout the passed to send the patient a bouquet of judge in this 1960s in providing scholarship funds flowers as a visible indication of our esteem matter will for Oregon law students, volunteer work and good wishes for a speedy recovery. furnish a copy for the legal aid program and a thriving of the speech social scene for Portland-area lawyers Mr. Arthur A. Goldsmith, chairman of with all due and their spouses. the Golf Committee, reported on the dispatch, the Multnomah Bar Belles Association’s golf tournaments. at a secretary will Membership was “open to wives of Clipping from newspaper, Spring 1960 record of the three tournaments, the move this members of the Multnomah County Bar, of probity and dignity” and Gary Cooper, winners thereof, and a list of the firms Association and to women members of the County president of the Los Angeles Bar and and individuals donating prizes, might for authority Bar,” according to a clipping in the defender of Dr. R. Bernard Finch, who be preserved for the future, Mr. Allen H. George S. Shepherd, circa 1904 to issue a scrapbook of articles, invitations, photos McCurtain has included this information Courtesy Oregon Historical nunc pro had been accused of conspiracy with his Society and event information that the association mistress to murder his wife. As the 1960s in a letter tunc order, kept during its active years. e wives progressed, the association began to bring dated October thus enabling the said judge to continue of prominent lawyers oen became the in female speakers or speakers with an 12, 1937 and collecting the more tangible emoluments heads of the organization. For instance, interest in women and the law, including addressed to of his office. Mrs. Glenn Jack, the inaugural president Dr. Hester Turner, dean of Students at the secretary. of the organization and chair of the events Lewis & Clark and a 1963 eta Sigma is letter is At the conclusion of the address just committee, was the wife of the Honorable Phi Woman of Achievement, who urged appended to alluded to, the new members of the Alan Jack, then president of the OSB. e women to explore career options; Margot the minutes of bar were introduced, one by one, and officers changed annually, though many of Taylor, a refugee from East Germany who the meeting. certificates of membership in the the women stayed involved on top levels spoke on political apathy; and Professor Association, running to the next annual even aer their terms expired. A report on meeting, were presented to these new the meeting members of the bar with the compliments of the of the Association. American Bar Francis Brown Association Courtesy of Oregon Historical is brings the account of the meeting and an Society to a close, and while by the rule of explanation of what that Association strictissimi juris, comments unconnected means to Oregon lawyers, was given by with meetings of the association have Mr. Sidney Teiser. no place in the minutes thereof, your secretary cannot refrain from adding as e meeting which is the subject of these he relinquishes tonight his duties of office, minutes, had been called to honor two new that it has been a pleasure to serve you. judges in the state, and to introduce to the e big compensation of the office is that bar the lawyers of our county who, within it enables the young attorney to widen his the past year, had been admitted to practice acquaintance and contacts with the bar in in our state. e Program Committee had a way he otherwise could not possibly do. invited Judge J. P. Kavanaugh to speak for the For that privilege, I am grateful. I have also bar on “Oregon’s New Judges”, - Mr. Justice appreciated the opportunity to work with Claude McColloch of the Federal District President John Beckwith, and chairman Announcement from 1959 Soia Mentschikoff of the University of Court for the State of Oregon, and Mr. Hall S. of the program and entertainment Lusk, of the State Supreme Court. committee, Jack Binford. By the nature e organization began by coordinating Chicago, one of six women to hold such of the secretary’s close, and from that fundraisers for a scholarship fund for position in the United States at that time. Making the point first that these judges are advantageous position, I can say that the Oregon law students. ey organized “comparatively young men, as we measure two individuals just named have labored dances, balls, teas and luncheons. As the organization grew, the women the span of professional life; their stars are untiringly and unselfishly to make the “Fund Raising Funds” in 1959 featured were able to expand from solely social still in the ascendant, their faces turned meetings and activities of the Multnomah “High Hat Fashions,” dessert and an functions to more direct volunteerism. toward the future”, and then the point that Bar Association of worth to the profession. “aernoon of cards,” with profits going ey took over the Legal Aid Committee, the honor conferred upon them was to the scholarships. Events were open to which was badly in need of volunteers in “the reward of honest, patient toil, - a To my successor in office I bequeath a “Portland attorneys and guests” and were September 1961. irty-five hundred or salutary lesson, especially to our younger job that he will find, I predict, taking an by invitation only, although members four thousand people applied to the Legal members”, the speaker then developed his unsuspected amount of his time, but a job were encouraged to bring guests. Most Aid office each year during the 1960s for main thesis: Our duties as members of the which, I trust, will yield him, as it has me, of the events were luncheons or fancy free legal assistance. e women staffed profession to the judges, the duty of judges an even greater amount of satisfaction. dinners at downtown hotels and drew the office and interviewed applicants for toward the profession, and our common a high-society crowd from the law the free legal aid services. “e volunteers tradition of service to the Nation and Respectfully submitted, community rather than a truly public take information from each person mankind. At the conclusion of the speech, Ralph C. Hoeber audience. An annual “Barrister’s Ball” seeking free legal aid which helps the the membership arose to their feet with Secretary raised money for the scholarship fund. lawyers determine whether or not the cases justify the attention of the agency,” one accord, in delighted appreciation of the masterful address. An almost verbatim e Women’s Association gave out noted an article in the Oregon Journal on copy of the address as given, is appended their first scholarships, for $300 and November 1, 1961. to these minutes. (continues on next page) appointed to select “suitable persons to On September 10, 1992 the board passed were able to convince the members of the Which Are We? be recommended to the Governor of a motion opposing Measure 9, which Committee and the County Commission A political or non- the State to fill the newly created Circuit would prohibit “public school instruction of the need to build a new courthouse Court Judgeships.” encouraging, promoting, sanctioning and not simply attempt to refurbish political organization homosexual, bisexual behaviors.” the existing courthouse. Significant By Judy A. C. In 1909, the group voted to oppose a law efforts were made with the MBA’s active Edwards, MBA “designed to prevent lawyers from taking Many members saw certain 2000 and 2002 involvement, including appearing at a Executive Director. damage cases on contingent fees, and to ballot measures as threatening to politicize public hearing.” prevent injured persons from making Oregon courts. e MBA opposed them When I began contingent fee contracts with attorneys.” and worked with a large coalition to defeat At its December 2004 meeting, the MBA researching this In 1910, considerable activity was devoted the measures. When asked about why he Board adopted a resolution to support Ballot topic, I assumed we to studying “a method for selecting a non- thought the MBA chose to weigh in on Measure 30 which would “help ensure would be tracing the political judiciary.” these particular measures, Bob Newell adequate funding of the justice system.” non-political nature of the MBA. With Aer reading this short retrospective the aid of Greg MacCrone, we both came on MBA’s political history, you may to the conclusion that the jury is still out have formed an opinion on the question on the question posed above. What we posed at the start. More importantly, I know for sure is that there is an underlying would like to hear what our members’ tension about getting involved in political guidance might be on future activity in issues. I hope this retrospective will this sometimes controversial abyss that provoke comments and viewpoints. If so, occasionally opens and invites us in. we will share them with you.
e Early Years A League of eir Own e opinions voiced by the local attorneys (continuation) who first gathered to discuss forming a new organization show a strong desire for the MBA to be non-political. Records e Women’s Association continued from the February 3, 1906 assemblage to grow. At the end of 1961 there were indicate that “spirited speeches were heard, 534 paid members; membership fees whose authors emphatically declared that were $2. As they became more popular such an association should be strictly non- and influential, the group was able to partisan and non-political.” A resolution adopted in 1913 described a (MBA President 2002-2003) said, “Part give money to the legal aid office for judicial system in need of reorganization. of what formed my decision was that books and a typewriter, to contribute to However, when the group met just Reasons cited were “as now constituted although they were technically political, furnishing the state bar, and to sponsor two weeks later, it adopted an object of and as now conducted, [the system] they directly threatened the justice system “law-oriented projects” as well as the the organization that ended with, “to involves unnecessary expense, labor, delay and part of the MBA’s central mission is growing scholarship fund. In 1965 they recommend, advocate and work for the and uncertainty, and results too frequently protecting the judiciary and the justice gave out four scholarships, some worth enactment of such laws as shall promote in defeating the true ends of justice…that system. It was not partisan, but advocacy up to $500, according to the OSB Bulletin, good government.” e complete wording this Association will lend its aid and for the system and we took steps to January 1965. ey also began providing of the object is featured on the first page of earnest co-operation to any movement for protect it from erosion. We have an volunteers for the Juvenile Home and led this pullout. thorough, and systematic reformation of obligation to maintain the integrity of the tours of the courthouse. eir success the Judicial System and practice…” system and we don’t do that by making continued throughout the 1960s. Post- During MBA’s first year, a legislative judges political.” scholarships in 1967-68, the association committee was formed and it must have e December 1919 meeting had a had over $1,200 le over in their budget. been busy because it recommended several long agenda with two endorsements, In 2001, the MBA board adopted a ey gave a total of 31 scholarships legislative bills to the organization by one for a non-political judiciary and resolution calling for a moratorium on between 1959 and 1970. No woman ever January 1907. Recommendations related the second “endorsed the restoration of executions in Oregon until flaws in the received a scholarship. to “amending limitations for damages capital punishment in all cases in which state’s death upon death of a person,” increasing the the accused is convicted of first-degree penalty e bar has no substantial record of the size of the Supreme Court, adding Justices murder or treason with the proviso that system could Women’s Association’s existence save of the Peace, one Constable and three the Jury should fix the penalty.” be addressed the scrapbook, but they were obviously Deputies “for Portland District” and “only and corrected. influential in the community and aided lawyers may be Notaries Public in cities In January 1930, the MBA approved Judy Snyder both law students and people struggling of 2000 or more.” Other legislative actions a motion to conduct “a secret and (MBA to get affordable legal access. As the 1970s taken at the meeting included, “3/4 of unidentifiable questionnaire to each President dawned, the organization probably began the jury in civil cases may find a verdict” attorney in Multnomah County” asking 1999-2000) to look antiquated in the face of feminism. and “a Judge shall not in any case grant their opinions on prohibition, known as remembered Women could enter the law as lawyers, a non-suit or a new trial, if there is any the Volstead Act. being not wives and many probably saw the influenced to Women’s Auxiliary as a kind of outdated evidence tending to support the issue of Judy Snyder the pleadings or if the evidence is such A year later, the legislative committee vote in favor cheerleading squad. In any event, there are that any reasonable deduction there from was “instructed to dra proper legislative of the resolution by evidence gathered no further records. But to dismiss them as may support the same.” measures to prevent trust companies from by the national Innocence Project and outdated minimizes the good work these engaging in the practice of law, with full a presentation by Bob Newell that some women did for the community and their Attendees at a 1908 meeting appointed power to represent such bills as seemed death row criminals’ representation was efforts not only to bring together Portland a committee “to cooperate with the to them to the best interests of the legal inadequate and that evidence of innocence community members, but to help students Ministerial Association, Municipal League profession.” During 1933 and 34 there was had been suppressed. As a result of and the underprivileged gain access to and other bodies in the draing of a concern about the unlawful practice of the combination of case studies, DNA education and legal aid. suitable abortion law.” No mention of the law, particularly by public notaries. evidence and public attention to the issue, Michael Dwyer of Dwyer & Miller is a Director of committee was recorded in subsequent she was convinced that the MBA should e Recent Years act. “e discussion always was, ‘is this the MBA. His daughter, Caitlin Dwyer, is a senior at meeting minutes. Pomona College. We jump ahead to 1982 because we have a public justice issue and does it impact no meeting minutes again until 1978. the justice system as a whole as well as the impact on those who use the system?’” She September 1982, the board conducted suggested the following. “e MBA should a preference poll of members seeking always take the role of providing public their opinions on the establishment of a information on how the justice system police review board. e Board passed a functions as a viable process for dispute resolution in 1983 to establish interest- resolution. e MBA should not get into bearing lawyer trust account programs advocacy on the issues of tort reform or that would benefit “legal aid to the poor, caps or frivolous lawsuits, but rather act as improve the administration of justice, an information resource for the public and 1908 National Suffrage Convention. ere is no promote the study of law, research in the the legislature.” mention of the convention in meeting minutes. law, legal education and the diffusion of legal knowledge.” From 2002 to 2004, MBA representative Mark May 13 on your calendar for the Over the years, there were many attempts Robert Neuberger served on Multnomah MBA 100th anniversary party at the to convince the state legislature of the e board unanimously authorized a County Chair Diane Linn’s Blue Ribbon Portland Art Museum. importance of adding judges to the state press release in 1986 indicating an opinion Courthouse Committee. He reported Circuit court of Multnomah County. on an upcoming jail levy. e next year, that, “is committee maintained work In 1929, minutes reveal the county a committee was appointed to promote that had been going on for decades in an apparently received funding for more new circuit court judgeship positions in effort to upgrade or replace the existing judges. In response, a committee was Multnomah County. Multnomah County Courthouse. We