Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Upcoming Events

webmaster — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:13:58 -0400

September 9, 2008, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm: Are Courts More Democratic than Congress? A Discussion of the Democratic Deficits in Our Political System by a Leading Scholar on Law and Politics. Featuring: Mark Graber, Professor of Law and Government, The University of Maryland School of Law and 2008 Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics, University of Oregon. Held at the White Stag Block Building, University of Oregon Portland Center, 70 NW Couch Street. Complementary lunch will be served. 1.5 hours of CLE credit is pending for this event. Registration required. RSVP by calling 541-346-3970 or email Rachel Johnson at raj@uoregon.edu.

September 25, 2008, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm: Monthly Oregon ACS Social with complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres. Located at and generously sponsored by Miller Nash LLP, 3400 US Bancorp Tower, 111 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon. RSVP here.

Lewis and Clark Law School

ACS Oregon Mentorship Program

webmaster — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:58:29 -0400

The ACS Oregon Lawyer Chapter and the ACS student chapters at the University of Oregon School of Law, Willamette University College of Law and the Lewis & Clark Law School are proud to invite you to participate in the ACS Oregon Student/Lawyer Mentorship Program for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Since 2001, ACS has grown exponentially from a small campus organization to a national network of progressive scholars, judges, practitioners, advocates, public officials and law students. ACS and its members strive to promote the vitality of the U.S. Constitution and the fundamental values it expresses: individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, access to justice, democracy and the rule of law. Mentorship is a vital tool in achieving our mission because it offers a means by which more senior ACS supporters can provide career and professional guidance to more junior members of the community.

To this end, we have developed a student/lawyer mentorship program to pair new and experienced lawyers from various career paths with law students. The program works as follows:

• An Oregon Lawyer Chapter member is paired with a member of an Oregon law Student Chapter. To the extent possible, mentors and mentees are matched based on common interests and current or desired area of practice.

• Mentors and mentees should meet in person at least twice per semester. ACS Oregon hosts one networking event each semester, which we strongly encourage all mentors and mentees to attend. Other opportunities to meet include coffee, lunch, after-work drinks, job shadowing and other ACS and career development events.

• Mentors generally help their mentees network and find employment. Mentoring is extremely rewarding and a great way to encourage and guide upcoming lawyers or learn from established attorneys. Often, mentor-mentee relationships turn into friendships and professional partnerships.

To participate in the program, please review the ACS Oregon Student/Lawyer Mentorship Program Description below and fill out the Online Mentor/Mentee Profile Form by clicking HERE. You may also download the Profile Form HERE, and email your profile and any questions to Oregon@ACSLaw.org.

Lewis and Clark Law School

Oregon Lawyer Chapter Hosts Video Replay of Debate

webmaster — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:30:14 -0400

On Tuesday, August 19, 2008, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted a video replay of an ACS-sponsored debate regarding "The Dirty Dozen," a book that criticizes twelve Supreme Court decisions for being out of touch with libertarian values. Approximately 60 ACS supporters attended the event, which also featured a catered reception and was hosted by Perkins Coie LLP.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter Hosts Review of Recent Supreme Court Decisions

webmaster — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:54:05 -0400

On Tuesday, July 15, 2008 the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, along with the Appellate Section of the Oregon State Bar, hosted a discussion on the most significant decisions of the last U.S. Supreme Court term. Approximately 60 ACS supporters came to hear and ask questions from a panel that included Jeffrey C. Dobbins, a law professor at Willamette University; Janet A. Metcalf, Assistant Attorney General in the Oregon Department of Justice; and Scott L. Nelson, an attorney with Public Citizen. Harry Auerbach, Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of Portland, moderated.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter presents "Kafka Comes to America: Fighting for Justice in the War on Terror"

webmaster — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:01:15 -0400

On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Amnesty International, and Powell's City of Books, hosted Oregon Federal Public Defender Steven Wax as he discussed his new book, Kafka Comes to America. Around 100 ACS supporters came to hear Wax deliver the harrowing story of the erosion of civil liberties after the September 11 terrorist attacks by telling the stories of two men he represented who were caught up in our government's post-9/11 counterterrorism measures: Brandon Mayfield and Adel Hamad. Mayfield, an American- born, small-town lawyer and family man, was arrested as a terrorist suspect in the Madrid train station bombings after a fingerprint was mistakenly traced back to him by the FBI. Hamad, a Sudanese hospital administrator working in Pakistan, was taken from his apartment and flown in chains to the United States military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for no substantiated reason.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter presents "One Night in America: Robert Kennedy, Cesar Chavez, and the Dream of Dignity"

webmaster — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:51:39 -0400

On Tuesday, May 13, 2008, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted a discussion on the perspectives that Robert Kennedy and Cesar Chavez would have brought to bear on the current immigration debate. Around a dozen ACS supporters came to hear Professor Steven Bender read from his book One Night in America and talk about the warm friendship between Kennedy and Chavez, their bold political vision for making the American dream a reality for all and their shared legacy's continuing influence on political issues such as immigration, education, war, poverty and religion.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter hosts "Forum with the Candidates for Oregon Attorney General"

webmaster — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:48:22 -0400

Oregon Attorney General candidate John Kroger speaking at ACS forum

On Wednesday, April 9, 2008, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted a forum with the two candidates for Oregon Attorney General: Greg Macpherson and John Kroger. 60 ACS supporters came to hear the candidates discuss their campaigns, give personal statements regarding their qualifications, and take questions from a panel of attorneys and the audience. The panel featured Andy Aubertine of Aubertine Draper Rose LLP, Jay Austin of the Environmental Law Institute, and Laura Graser, a criminal defense attorney.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

The Oregon Lawyer Chapter presents "What the 2008 Elections Bode for Election Law"

webmaster — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:38:45 -0400

Professor Issacharoff (left) with Scott Shorr, an ACS Oregon Board Member

On March 20, 2008, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted a discussion on election law issues likely to arise in this year's election cycle. Professor Samuel Issacharoff of NYU law school led the discussion, which focused on party regulations regarding delegates attending party conventions. Approximately 15 ACS supporters attended the event, which was hosted by Hinshaw Culbertson LLP.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

The Oregon Lawyer Chapter presents "Lemons v. Bradbury and the Barriers to Implementation of Oregon's Domestic Partnership Law"

webmaster — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:36:14 -0500

On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and Basic Rights Oregon, hosted a discussion on Lemons v. Bradbury, the case in which U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mosman issued a temporary restraining order postponing Oregon's Domestic Partnership law from going into effect on January 2, 2008, as scheduled. Charles F. Hinkle and Margaret Olney, counsel for Basic Rights Oregon, an intervenor in the case, described the arguments for and against the restraining order and the merits of the case. Approximately 30 ACS supporters attended the event.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter hosts Mentor/Mentee Social

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:33:53 -0400

On October 18, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter hosted a social at Miller Nash LLP for participants in its Mentor/Mentee Program. Through the Mentor/Mentee Program, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society matches interested attorneys with law students who are members of the ACS chapters at each of Oregon's three law schools. Law students such as Alan Wood (left) and Chris Parta (right) enjoyed the opportunity to meet other students and practicing lawyers.

Oregon Mentor/Mentee Social

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter hosts Charlie Savage

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:55:13 -0400

Charlie Savage, a Boston Globe reporter and author of TAKEOVER: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy, released this fall, was hosted by the Portland Lawyer Chapter. In his new book, Savage examines the Bush administration's concentration of power in the executive branch and its impact on our laws and treaty obligations. Savage considers the primacy of executive power considerations in judicial nominations and paints a portrait of increasing secrecy within the executive branch. In this fast-paced, character-driven narrative, Savage explores the implications of unchecked executive power and asks whether expanded executive power creates dangerous precedents that all future presidents will cite to their own ends. The event took place at the Multnomah County Central Library in the U.S. Bank Room; 801 S.W. 10th Avenue Portland.

Charlie Savage in Oregon

University of Denver College of Law

The Oregon Lawyer Chapter Presents "Quiet Revolution"

webmaster — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:45:32 -0400

On Thursday, June 28, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted a screening of the film "Quiet Revolution" at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub in Portland. The film was introduced by Nan Aron, President of the Alliance for Justice (pictured on left, talking with chapter board member Scott Shorr, center, and another ACS supporter). Approximately 40 ACS supporters attended the event, which focused on what the Alliance for Justice terms "the right wing assault on our courts."

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

The Oregon Lawyer Chapter Presents "Another Viewpoint: Religious Freedom and the Law"

webmaster — Fri, 25 May 2007 10:13:42 -0400

On Wednesday, May 23rd, the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted a CLE and panel discussion entitled "Another Viewpoint: Religious Freedom and the Law--A Response to Justice Scalia". The panel featured Professor Steven Green of Willamette University College of Law; Michael Simon, of Perkins Coie; Judge David Schuman, of the Oregon Court of Appeals; Rabbi Emanuel Rose of Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, and Charles Hinkle of Stoel Rives.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

The Second Constitution: An Introduction to the Real Fourteenth Amendment

sharper — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:15:57 -0500

The Oregon Lawyer Chapter event, “The Second Constitution: An Introduction to the Real Fourteenth Amendment,” held on February 8, 2007 was a success! Approximately 30 people heard University of Oregon Professor Garrett Epps speak on “The Real Fourteenth Amendment”, a discussion that was described as “simultaneously funny, enlightening, and inspiring.” Attendees also enjoyed speaking with Professor Epps before and after the catered event.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Learned Hand Award Luncheon

webmaster — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:49:01 -0500

On November 9, former Senator Gary Hart spoke to over 100 lawyers and policymakers at the Judge Learned Hand Award Luncheon co-sponsored by the American Constitution Society Oregon Lawyer Chapter and the Oregon Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. Senator Hart spoke about the difficulty in striking the proper balance between civil liberties and appropriate anti-terrorism tools in the post-9/11 era.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Hans A. Linde Receives Award

webmaster — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:33:41 -0500

On November 3, the ACS Oregon Lawyer Chapter presented former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Hans A. Linde with an Award for Outstanding Contribution to Oregon Law and Policy. The award honors Oregonians who promote the values of human dignity, individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice. Justice Linde, a longtime professor at Oregon law schools and a member of numerous state law improvement commissions, is renowned for his leading role in the "rediscovery" of state constitutions such as Oregon's. In the future, the award will be named after Justice Linde.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Lawyer Chapter screens "Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson's American Journey"

admin — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:30:18 -0400

On July 20, fifty lawyers, judges, students, policymakers and other interested persons showed up at a brewpub in Portland to see Soul of Justice, a biopic about Thelton Henderson, a longtime judge on the U.S. District Court for Northern California. Judge Henderson's story provided an inspiring message to the members of ACS Oregon, strengthening their commitment to advancing social justice in America. The film was introduced by Judge Ancer Haggerty of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

Oregon Lawyer Chapter

Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul de Muniz Addresses Judicial Independence with Oregon Lawyer Chapter on 2/22/06

admin — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:44:44 -0500

It is the duty of every lawyer to defend judicial independence, according to Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul De Muniz. At a February 22 gathering -- of which video is available -- Justice De Muniz addressed the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, describing the current threats to an independent judiciary. Specific issues he cited include media assaults on controversial decisions; reduced funding for court functions; the contentiousness and politicization of federal judicial nominations and state judicial campaigns; and efforts in Oregon to recall a judge who struck down a ballot measure and to change the means by which state supreme court justices are elected. Justice De Muniz argued that each of those efforts undermine democracy.

The Justice told attorneys in attendance to help give judicial independence a better image. Efforts to reframe the debate surrounding the issue are only part of the picture, he said; members of the bench and bar must persuade students, politicians, and, ultimtely, voters, that an independent judiciary is the means by which their rights are protected and the constitutional framework enforced. Only then can the values of equal protection, due process, and access to justice be realized.