OTLA December Sidebar 2013

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
In the Service of Justice
December 2013 • www.oregontriallawyers.org
Welcome
New/Returning
OTLA Attorney
Members
Your 2013-14 OTLA Leadership
Michelle Bassi
Laura Budd
Kyle Busse
Edward Choi
Elizabeth Christy
Jose Cienfuegos
Beth Eiva
Louis Frohman
Andrew Grade
Ralph Gzik
Milan Hanson
Shanelle Honda
Nels Johnson
Shannon Kmetic
Gano Lemoine
Jessica Lewicki
Scott Malbasa
Niki Mendoza
Matthew Pennell
W. Michael Quillen
Yasha Renner
Ehren Rhea
Cathryn Ruckle
Corinna
Spencer-Scheurich
The 2013-2014 OTLA Board of Governors at the annual retreat in Astoria.
P
ortland Workers’ Compensation attorney
Martin Alvey of the Alvey Law Group
kicked off the OTLA Board retreat October
13-14th at Astoria’s Cannery Pier.
OTLA’s new officers include: Presidentelect Shelley Russell of Crispin Employment
Lawyers, Portland; Secretary/Treasurer
Neil Jackson of Neil Jackson & Partners PC,
Portland; Parliamentarian Tina Stupasky of
Jensen Elmore & Stupasky PC, Eugene; and
Immediate Past President Hala Gores of Hala
J. Gores PC, Portland.
New board members include: Ronn Elzinga and Jodie Phillips Polich.
Returning Board members include: Dick
Adams, Kelly Andersen, Robert Beatty-Walters, Paul Bovarnick, Kathryn Clarke, Diego
Conde, Beth Creighton, Tom D’Amore, Sonya
Fischer, Michael Greene, Derek Johnson,
Lara Johnson, Myah Kehoe, Rob Kline, John
McVea, Craig Nichols, Shenoa Payne, Charese
Rohny, Scott Shorr, David Sugerman, Tim Williams, Michael Wise and Greg Zeuthen.
Please feel free to contact any of your
OTLA leadership team if you have any membership questions or suggestions. Your team is
also accessible via the OTLA website at www.
oregontriallawyers.org.
President Alvey’s Welcome
I
am truly honored to serve as your president
for 2013-14. It was extremely humbling to
become President at our 60th Anniversary
Convention in the presence of many of OTLA’s
great leaders. I pledge to do all I can to make
OTLA a stronger organization in the year
ahead and want you to know I welcome your
ideas and suggestions. Please feel free to call
me anytime at 503-229-0895 or send me an
e-mail at [email protected].
Darian Stanford
Matthew Swihart
Patrick Terry
Christine Tracey
Laurence Wagner
Zachary Walker
David White
President Marty Alvey (right) and
Past President Chris Moore (left).
In October-November your Executive
Committee and Legislative Co-Chairs David
Sugerman and Derek Johnson visited Salem,
Corvallis, Eugene, Jacksonville, Bend, Beaverton, Gresham and Portland to discuss the ins
and outs of the 2013 sessions, strategize on the
upcoming 2014 & 2015 session and to enjoy trial
lawyer camaraderie over drinks and appetizers.
The Board of Governors held its annual retreat over Columbus Day weekend in Astoria.
With the assistance of facilitator Ed Lazarus,
the Board identified our goals and priorities
for the next year and beyond, rededicating
ourselves to furthering our service to you, our
OTLA members.
OTLA stands ready to provide you all
with a comprehensive legislative and political
agenda. We are poised to help strengthen and
protect the civil justice system and provide
cutting edge member services to ensure we
are the best lawyers we can be for our injured
clients.
Here’s to a great year “In the Service of
Justice.”
2 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
OTLA Happenings…
The OTLA-Legacy Emanuel Bike Helmet
Partnership Comes Full Circle
By OTLA Legal Staff Member Lisa Devlin, Alvey Law Group
T
hrough the OTLA listserv I heard
about a bike helmet event with
OTLA and the Legacy Emanuel
Trauma Nurses Talk Tough (TNTT).
OTLA was making a large donation to
the TNTT program to help encourage
children and adults to wear bicycle
helmets and teamed up with the
trauma nurses at four events where
we fitted, sized and sold helmets at
an extremely discounted rate. No
one would be turned away if he/she
couldn’t afford a helmet, but charging
a nominal fee increases the likelihood
the helmet will be worn.
I personally attended four events
and delivered helmets for a fifth event
in Clatskanie. I was surprised by how
the Legacy TNTT and OTLA volunteers were literally providing a service and product that would protect
the lives of so many,
young and old alike.
It was truly a moving
experience.
At the Legacy
Emanuel hospital
event, a mother
and daughter came
through on their way
to the hospital lab for
treatment. I overheard
the mother telling her
daughter that they did
not have the money
to purchase helmets
and off to the lab they
Lisa Devlin (right) fitting a young rider at Good in the
went. I ran through
Hood bike helmet event.
the lobby, caught up
with them and fitted both mother and
overwhelming sensation of “giving
daughter with helmets.
back”. To see the looks on the kids’
At each of these events, I felt an
faces as they picked out a shiny,
new helmet. To see the relief in the
parents faces knowing they were
setting a good example and doing yet
one more thing to keep their children
safer and healthier. I observed moms
and dads; grandmas and grandpas;
aunts and uncles; all buying helmets
and making sure they fit properly to
show that wearing a helmet is the
responsible way to ride a bicycle.
I am hopeful we can continue this
joint partnership for years to come.
This wouldn’t have been possible
OTLA volunteers fitting children with helmets and socializing with families.
BIKE HELMET continues on page 3
The monthly publication of the
Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
December 2013
Sidebar is published by the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and is distributed
as a member benefit. Sidebar informs members about OTLA activities and
current events across Oregon, the region and the nation. Reproduction of any
material that appears in this publication without permission is prohibited.
All text and photos are the work of OTLA staff unless otherwise noted. For
editorial and content questions or comments, please contact Amy Anderson
at [email protected] or 503-223-5587 x102.
Sidebar is printed on recycled paper, 30% post-consumer content, by Morel Ink,
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319 SW Washington St., Suite 607
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-223-5587 • Fax: 503-223-4101
www.oregontriallawyers.org
Executive Director: Beth Bernard
Communications Director: Amy Anderson
Membership/Political Director: Shamus Lynsky
Development Director: Randi Besser
CLE & Events Manager: Patri Thompson
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 3
BIKE HELMET continued from page 2
without the leadership and fundraising prowess of Immediate Past President Hala Gores, who stepped up and
spearheaded this amazing program.
As if this story was not heart-felt
enough. Two weeks after the last
fitting, I received a harrowing call at
2:30 in the morning. My step-father
(Papa) had become non-responsive
and would not let the medics take
him to the hospital. I was at my St.
Helens home and he was in Portland,
literally fighting the medics. I was on
speaker phone and was able to calm
him down enough that the medics
could transport him to the hospital. I rushed to Portland. Papa is a
Providence patient, but because of his
symptoms and severe aggression, he
was transported to Legacy Emanuel.
After many tests, he was put into
Neuro-Traumatic ICU. I was a mess,
however I sent my mother home to
get some sleep. I was not allowed to
take the elevator up to ICU with him
and had to wait for a few minutes for
the nursing staff to be updated on his
condition.
When I finally was allowed into
the room, who was the first face I
saw but Neuro-Trauma Nurse Mike
Morrison, our team leader from the
OTLA-Legacy TNTT bike helmet
program. In this scary moment, I
was completely relieved
to see Mike’s friendly,
calming face. Mike was
so patient with Papa
and truly made every
effort to help him keep
his dignity under these
stressful circumstances.
Papa had a TIA (transient
ischemic attack – often
labeled “mini-stroke”)
which caused his aggression. Mike sat down next
to me and updated me
on everything that was
Trauma nurse Mike Morrison and Past President
happening and prepared
Hala Gores.
me for every step along
the way. He was our nurse for two
Papa is home and doing much betdays and checked in on us the third
ter. He received a new heart valve at
day, even though he was not on shift.
Providence. While he received great
Two of the other Legacy nurses that
care there, I would have been happier
I had worked with at the bike helmet
at Legacy knowing my new friends
events came to ICU to see if there was
and partners would have been there
anything that I needed or wanted.
every step of the way to care for him
I already knew that I wanted to
and our family.
continue to be a part of this partnerTo make a donation to the 2014
ship, but after having Mike as our
OTLA-Legacy Bike Helmet program,
nurse and the other nurses that came
please go online to www.oregontriup to check on us, I can’t think of a
allawyers.org and give to this lifebetter way to pay it forward.
changing cause.
A special thank you to OTLA and
Please let Amy Anderson, amy@
Legacy TNTT for making a difference
oregontriallawyers.org, know if you
in the community and for helping my
would like to volunteer at future
family get through a tragedy.
events.
OTLA On The Go
D
id you know you can get your very own OTLA App?
Now, OTLA Members can enjoy OTLA’s website on-the-go in a mobile format! This will give you one-touch access to OTLA listservs, membership directory, event and CLE calendars, event registration and more.
To access the mobile version of OTLA’s website, open your phone or
tablet web browser and type in www.oregontriallawyers.org. Our mobileoptimized site will load automatically. Then you can add a bookmark to
your device’s homepage. Bookmarks look like app buttons
and open mobile-optimized sites in your mobile browser. You
can find tutorials for adding one touch bookmarks to your
device online.
OTLA’s mobile-optimized site has all the functionality
that a stand-alone app does and you can access the full
OTLA website at any time by scrolling to the bottom of
the mobile screen and clicking the “View Full Site” link. If
you have any questions about OTLA’s mobile site, contact
Patri Thompson at [email protected] or 503223-5587.
4 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
Guardians Spotlight – Megan Annand
Marching to the Beat of Her Own Drum
Why I did/didn’t (see above):
G
rowing up in small town West
Virginia, Megan Annand knew she
I thought being a lawyer would be
was destined for bigger things. The
an opportunity to change the world
middle child of 9 siblings, a deterand use my big picture mentality.
mined 19 year old Annand loaded up
I don’t know where I got that idea.
her duffle bag, stuffed $300 in her
Once in law school, I quickly learned
pocket and headed west for Berkeley,
that this work is all about details.
California in the early 1970’s. Her
Why I give to The Guardians of Civil
flair for adventure and longing for
Justice program:
culture was ignited by her parents,
Because our clients need someone
both television and radio actors and a
advocating for them in the legislature.
far cry from coal miners, as she likes
The OTLA folks who do that work are
to point out. Annand worked and put
changing the playing field. Thank you.
herself through undergrad at UC
Berkeley, graduating Phi Beta Kappa
What I’d like colleagues to know
in 1978. Always with her sights set
about OTLA is:
on being a lawyer, Annand went on
It gives one many of the advantagMegan Annand
to put herself through California’s
es of firm life without the politics and
Hastings College of Law, graduataggravations. So many people offer
ing in 1982. Craving more culture
ballot measure fights and is a vibrant
help whenever I ask, which is often.
and experience, she then spent two
representative of the plaintiffs’ bar in
You are a very generous tribe.
years in Asia, traveling from Japan to
southern Oregon and beyond.
There’s more to life than my job. My
Pakistan soaking in as many foreign
In her words:
favorite activities are:
dishes and experiences as she could
The best thing about my job is:
I love traveling. I got lucky last
on a budget.
Two best things – working with
year
and spent 5 weeks in India doAnnand’s first taste of the pracinteresting people and the freedom of
ing
a
“survey tour.” I love hiking in
tice of law was at a large insurance
being a solo. I think this is my chance
the mountains of southern Oregon,
defense firm in San Francisco, where
to mention, Nicole Parrish, my supernorthern California and the mounshe stomached defending bad faith
star assistant. She definitely makes
tains around Tucson in the spring.
lawsuits for nearly 10 years. During
my job better.
I’m a big fan of classical and baroque
that time, she met her ex-husband
music, theater, love big
and together, they decidcities and hot places. The
ed to flee the big city and
…our clients need someone advocating for
Oregon desert, especially
head for southern Oregon
Hart Mountain, is a
them
in
the
legislature.
The
OTLA
folks
who
do
in 1993. She immediately
favorite. I love my family
hung out her own shingle
that work are changing the playing field.
and am lucky to have
offering her general civil
grown up the middle of
litigation services to a
nine
children.
It’s fun to be from a big
brand new community. Not knowing
family
as
a
kid,
but even better as an
The
hardest
thing
about
my
job
is:
a soul in Medford, Annand is still
adult.
Representing
desperate
people.
amazed at her ability to sustain a
successful practice that she built from
I knew I was grown up when:
What I do in my job is:
the ground up. But flying by the seat
My credit score was over 800.
Help people work through probof her pants seems to suit her well
lems.
I relax by:
and pay off in spades. To this day, AnWatching BBC mysteries. I can’t
When
I
was
a
new
lawyer,
I
wish
I
nand practices from her home office,
stand those stiffs on Downton Abbey
knew:
pulls her own water from her well
but I still watch it. Silk is much, much
Judges are pretty forgiving and
and enjoys serving meals through a
better.
the occasional mistake is not such a
friend’s church group to stay connectbig deal. Everyone makes them. It is
I’ve always wanted to:
ed to her community. She continues to
the
quality
of
work
you
do
day
in
and
Build my own house, well, really
enjoy the affordable southern Oregon
day out that matters.
design a house, someone else can do
art, music, food and theater and
the building.
thrives with all the outdoor activities
Growing up I thought I would become:
readily available.
A lawyer. I wanted to be a lawI’ll do it (see above) when:
Annand joined the OTLA family
yer from the time I was a kid. I got
I find a small lot somewhere
in 1994 and began contributing to
waylaid by moving to Berkeley in the
warmish with a view of water.
the Guardians program back in 2000.
early 1970’s and then traveling in
She faithfully contributed to all three
Asia for two years.
GUARDIAN continues on page 5
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 5
GUARDIAN continued from page 4
My best subjects in high school were:
History and English.
The classes in law school I dreaded
were:
Criminal procedure and administrative law.
My first job was:
Wrapping Christmas presents at
a dress shop in Charleston, WV. I was
15 and the store owner was the father
of a good friend.
I’m proudest of:
Putting myself through college
and law school, and having supported
myself as a lawyer for 31 years. That’s
always amazing to me.
I wish:
My country would cut defense
spending at least in half and stop
arming other countries altogether.
I wish every kid in America would
be eligible to get a debt-free college
education.
Guilty pleasure:
Getting to my office at 10:30 or
11:00 am pretty much every day.
I can’t live without:
Something special to look forward to. I am always planning a next
adventure whether it’s a hike or a trip
across the world, dinner with a friend
or what to make for the community
meal I help cook.
Most influential person in my life:
My father, 6’3”, movie-star handsome, funny, recited poetry and
Shakespeare at the dinner table,
great cook, best hugger ever, allaround loving father.
Favorite fictional character:
Too many. I love Clark Kent. I
love the idea of being two people,
one-mild mannered and the other a
DME & BRIEF
BANK
IS UPDATED!!
Please send new
DME’s or Briefs to
[email protected]
Megan Annand (middle) with her sisters in law on top of Mt. Eddy.
superhero. I have never seen a Superman movie, it’s the idea I like.
Advice you would give to a new
lawyer:
It’s a profession and a business,
both of which you need to master. You
have to use your head and your heart.
Read Dr. Seuss, The Places You’’ll Go.
Pretty much sums up life as a person
and a lawyer.
Not many people know that I am:
Ha! Pretty unlikely that I would
share that here.
What I appreciate most among my
friends:
Really, food has gotten so much better
all over the country, except of course
at those terrible fast food places on
every freeway exit. I was very excited
about the Arab Spring. I am taking
the long view. After all, how long did
it take from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution? 1776
until 1789!
My motto:
(Stolen from Joseph Campbell –
Joyful Participation In The Sorrows
Of This World) He says: “We cannot
cure the sorrows of this world, but
we can choose to live in joy.”
My epitaph:
The art of living well: politically,
spiritually, physically, intellectually,
compassionately and passionately.
Turns again home! (from Crossing
the Bar)
My favorite authors/poets/ musicians/movies:
Who else has strongly influenced
you?
Gerard Manley Hopkins, Dylan
Thomas, TS Eliot. Chet Baker, Bach,
Beethoven. The big movies: Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Gandhi. The reformation/revolution I appreciate the most:
Dare I say, the food revolution?
The question I wish you’d asked:
And my answer:
My mother, who until the time
her memory and independence were
taken by dementia, truly lived the life
Joseph Campbell recommends.
6 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
Time is Running Out
Get Your Last Minute CLE Credits at OTLA
No time to attend CLEs in person?
You can still earn credits your way,
at your convenience. Go to the OTLA
website for a variety of MP3s to download, including hard to find Access to
Justice credits.
These MP3s are free to download
for all Guardian members. Sign in
to the OTLA website and hover over
the “Member Resources” tab. Scroll
down and click the “CLE Bank.” From
there you can find one of these three
recordings:
• “Building Diversity Training
in the Mediated or Settlement
Agreement” in the Employment/
Civil Rights file.
• “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
with Dr. Roberta Ballard” in the
Motor Vehicle file.
Guardian Tom Melville with tips on taking a MV case to jury trial.
• “Everything a PI Lawyer Needs
to Know about Social Security
Disability by Cheryl Coon” in the
Litigator Lunches file.
** Attention Guardians! Put your
benefits of membership to good use.
YOUR MP3s are FREE. ** In other
words, download 1 free MP3 per
month and cover the cost of basic
dues. What a deal!
Guardian speaker Richard Walsh answers questions.
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 7
Robert J. Neuberger
August 6, 1953 – November 30, 2013
Beloved and Respected by Friends & Family – and Both Sides of the Bar.
After a four-year battle with cancer, OTLA lost a dear friend and legal warrior, Robert
Neuberger, on November 30th. Often referred to as a “gentleman” lawyer for his unflappable
and civil manner while fiercely advocating for his clients, Neuberger received the 2010 OTLA
Distinguished Trial Lawyer, after three decades of practice. His respect and admiration from
attorneys on both sides of the aisle was his trademark and Neuberger was a constant resource
for OTLA’s advocacy in the halls of the Capitol.
With his signature bow-tie and uptown manner, one wouldn’t guess Neuberger was born
and raised in the small cattle and lumber community of Baker, Oregon. But his family roots
grew deep in the Baker Valley since the nineteenth century.
Neuberger was proud to have learned from the best. He attended Lewis & Clark law school at night, while interning
with his mentor Burl L. Green, one of Oregon’s foremost trial lawyers. Upon graduation,
Neuberger was taken under Green’s wing and less than two and a half years later, became a partner at the firm Green, Griswold & Neuberger. Of his mentors, Neuberger once
quipped, “I stood on the shoulders of giants – like a Jewish baby, my feet never touched
the ground.”
The epitome of integrity and character, Neuberger lived by the motto that no case and
no client was insignificant and that being a vigorous advocate never had to interfere with
friendships. Upon Green’s retirement in 1989, Neuberger joined the legendary plaintiff
firm Pozzi Wilson Atchison where he was a partner until 1999. He learned to do the difficult work and look at details no one else would think about to win justice for his clients.
Neuberger’s long-time service to OTLA includes Board and Guardians of Civil Justice service, ballot measure campaign strategy and development, as well as OTLA PAC
service. Through leadership in the Oregon State Bar’s Practice and Procedure Committee, Neuberger fought the noble fight against massive tort deform in the 1995 legislative
session. A session that turned out to be one of the most difficult years for civil justice and victims’ rights. Because of his
strategic thinking and extended relationships across the aisle, Neuberger was able to limit the damage. As friend and fellow legislative fighter David Sugerman points out, the OTLA team entrenched in battles took to describing amendments
that provided safe harbors as “Neubergarian.” He was a quiet and steadfast supporter of the St. Andrew’s Legal Clinic so
the working poor could qualify for aid and find representation that they otherwise wouldn’t receive.
Neuberger is survived by his son Stuart Neuberger and sisters Roz and Pat Neuberger. A celebration of life is scheduled for February 1st, 2-5pm at the Benson Hotel, with the formal program from 3-3:45pm. Robert’s family is interested in collecting pictures and remembrances of him. If you have things you would like to pass along, please send to
[email protected] and we’ll make sure Stuart receives them.
OTLA Women’s Caucus
Holiday High Tea
December 20, 2013 2:30-4:30pm at the Heathman Hotel, Portland
Sponsored by Audrey Kenney of The James Street Group
Chelsa Bocci, Co-Founder and Senior Director of Kiva and daughter of OTLA member Mark Bocci,
will join us to talk about Kiva, a non -profit organization that connects millions
of people through lending to alleviate poverty.
RSVP –
[email protected]
503-223-5587
8 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
Once Around: News about OTLA Members
o
Bob and Charlotte Udziela
On October 11th, a celebration
was held in honor of the retirement of OTLA Stalwart Robert K.
(“Bob”) Udziela in the company of
his colleagues. He was honored for his
successful appellate work and zealous representation of injured people
and their families. Udziela, who was
raised in Chicago, began his legal
career at the legendary Portland
plaintiff’s firm of Pozzi Wilson Atchison O’Leary and Conboy and argued
cases in the Oregon Supreme Court
and Court of Appeals for forty years.
Many of his cases established precedents still existing today that assist
workers in obtaining the full measure
of justice for their injuries. Everyone
at OTLA wishes Udziela an enjoyable
retirement. He is pictured with his
lovely wife, Charlotte, at the celebration. He can be reached at rkudziela@
frontier.com.
o
Guardian
and Board
member
Ronn Elzinga won the
Campaign
for Equal
Justice LafOff standup comedy
competition
Ronn Elzinga
at the second
show on October 25th at Portland’s
Mission Theater. About 400 attendees
were treated to Elzinga’s hilarious
ventriloquist act. The event raised
nearly $35,000 for legal aid. Other
funny competitors included OTLA
Guardian Mitra Shahri and member
Edie Van Ness.
Friend of
OTLA Guardian member
Matthew Ellis
has established
his own firm,
the Law Office
of Matthew C.
Ellis, an employment, fair
housing and
civil rights law
Matthew Ellis
firm. The firm’s
office is located at 621 SW Morrison
St., Ste 1050, Portland, OR 97205.
Ellis can be reached at 503-765-5396,
[email protected], or
www.employmentlawpdx.com.
o
The Law Office of Michael
L. Rosenbaum
is proud to
announce their
new fatherdaughter team
with the addition of associate Ashley M.
Ashley Rosenbaum
Rosenbaum.
She will be practicing civil litigation. Rosenbaum is also a member of
the Multnomah Bar Association and
Oregon Women Lawyers. She earned
her J.D. from Willamette University
College of Law in 2013 and recently
passed the bar exam. She can be
reached at 503-288-8000 or amr@
rosenbaumlitigation.com.
o
Guardian Jeff Bowersox
and wife Julie Amiton.
OTLA Guardian Club member
Jeff Bowersox was recently appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Stryker Hip Product Liability Multi-District Litigation (MDL)
in Federal Court. He was appointed
by Judge Donovan Frank who is the
judge assigned to handle all Stryker
hip and ABG II device lawsuits
nationwide. The plaintiffs’ steering
committee coordinates all discovery
proceedings, scientific investigation,
pretrial preparation and bellwether
trials for plaintiffs. Bowersox can be
reached at 503-452-5858 or jeffrey@
bowersoxlaw.com.
ONCE AROUND continues on page 9
Time to Spare?
Volunteer opportunities await.
Contact OTLA at 503-223-5587
for more information.
OTLA on Facebook and Twitter – Are you Connected?
Tweets and Posts – Oh My! OTLA has joined the information age at the
speed of light. We need YOU to connect, Like and share with your network.
OTLA is building its social network to help spread the news about civil justice issues, keep members up to date on events important to your practice
and create a consumer advocacy alert system should we need a legislative
call to action. As the old saying goes, there’s strength in numbers – so start
clicking and help us build an important conduit for spreading our access to
justice message into the future.
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/OregonJustice
Like us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Oregon-Trial-Lawyers-Association
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 9
ONCE AROUND continued from page 10
o
Erica
Glaser has
been elected
Chair of the
Alameda School
Foundation, the
non-profit
organization
that raises
money for
teachers and
Erica Glaser
educational
assistants for Alameda School and for
PPS at large, through the Equity
Fund. Glaser continues her practice
as a full time neutral, serving as both
a mediator and arbitrator. She can be
reached at 503-515-1621 or erica@
ADRoregon.com.
o
Erin
Christison and
husband,
newly
inducted
OSB
member
Earl Leone
Christison
IV, joyfully
Georgie Christianson
welcomed
their third daughter, Georgie Mark
Christison, on September 6th. She
weighed 6lbs. 3oz. They can be
reached at Novation Law LLC, 5955
Shoreview Ln. N., Ste 102, Keizer,
OR 97303, 503-390-2044 or erinc@
novationlaw.com.
o
Kyle Busse
Kyle Busse was just elected to a
second term as Chair of the City of
Portland Human Rights Commission.
Volunteer Commissioners are nominated by a committee of the Human
Rights Commission and appointed
by Portland City Council. He can be
reached at 503-248-0504 or kbusse@
busseandhunt.com.
In Memorium:
Long Admired Texas Trial
Lawyer Association Executive
Director Tommy Townsend
Thomas Cedric Townsend, 70, of Austin, Texas, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013.
Beloved father of OTLA’s Blair Townsend, of Michael Wise & Associates PC, he served as the Executive
Director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association since 1990, a pillar in the fight to preserve access to justice.
Townsend was known as the consummate gentleman and a steadfast resource to all his fellow Trial Lawyer
Executives and staff across the country. Prior to joining TTLA, he was Senior Vice-President and Chief Legislative
Counsel for the Texas Association of Realtors for thirteen years and Sergeant at Arms of the Texas Senate for
seven years. He has served as President of the National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives, Chairman of the
Texas Society of Association Executives and Chairman of the Political Action Committee of the American Society of
Association Executives.
Among the many honors Townsend received over the years were the Executive of the Year Award by the
Texas Society of Association Executives, the Tejano Appreciation Award by the Texas Tejano Democrats, and the
Partnership Award by the American Association for Justice.
Tommy’s personal life yielded a variety of interests including the Boy Scouts of America in which he attained
the level of Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow. He passed on his love of nature to his children with whom he would
visit national and state parks across the country. As an avid outdoorsman, Tommy particularly enjoyed his annual
hunting trips with old friends from Paris, Texas. He was also a devoted Texas Longhorn fan and enjoyed watching
games with his family for well over four decades. Tommy supported the Boys Club of America, Caritas of Austin,
and many other philanthropic and environmental causes. One of his favorite and lesser known passions was
privately funding educational scholarships for young people who demonstrated a passion for public service. Tommy
was a voracious reader who never stopped wanting to learn.
Along with daughter Blair, Tommy is survived by his wife, Cassie, and their other two children: Justin
Townsend of Austin; Trent Townsend and wife Ann Mackey Townsend, and their child Zoe Maddox Townsend, also
of Austin.
Those wishing to make a donation in his memory may consider Caritas of Austin, P.O. Box 1947, Austin, TX
78767, Ph (512) 479-4610 or The Boys and Girls Club of Paris and The Red River Valley, 1530 N.E. First Street,
Paris, Texas 75460, Ph (903) 784-6360.
10 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
2013 Snow Ball Sizzles as Temperatures Drop
T
he 2013 OTLA Snow Ball brought out a record number of members and special guests, despite the freezing temperatures.
Not even the threat of snow could keep 170 revelers away from the Elysian Ballroom in downtown Portland for a fun-filled
evening of mingling and wonderful music by the fabulous Zenda Torrey Band. Sponsors stepped up to provide tickets for
those in need and new lawyers were treated to elbow-rubbing with many of OTLA’s finest. Many thanks to our downstate
members who were unable to attand, due to weather, and gave their tickets so fellow members could attend for free.
Special guests Senator Jeff Merkley (l) and Judge Rives Kistler (r)
with President Marty Alvey (middle).
Guardian and Board member Ronn Elzinga (r)
and wife Linda.
Representative Brent Barton and wife Liz Fuller Barton.
New lawyers Jack Dekovich, Jeff Nastoff and Guardian Steve Seal enjoy
the Snow Ball.
Guardian Clay McCaslin and wife Nikki with Guardian
Cameron Carter.
Synergy Legal Platinum sponsors Noor and Barbara Haikal.
SNOW BALL continues on page 11
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 11
SNOW BALL continued from page 10
Guardians Mark and Natalie McDougal, Guardian Lisa Hunt
and guest Steve Collard.
President Alvey predicts that Jesuit High
School will win the Catholic HS football
rivalry (Didn’t happen!).
Guardian and Board members Myah Kehoe and John McVea.
Guardian Ed Hill disagrees. He’s Central Catholic for the win (And correct!).
SNOW BALL continues on page 12
Thank You to our SNOW BALL Sponsors!
 Platinum
The Barton Law Firm PC
D’Amore Law Group
 Gold
Larry Baron and Greg Zeuthen
Heiling Dwyer
Gaylord Eyerman Bradley PC
Neil (Bubba) and Maria Jackson
 New Lawyer Benefactors
Dick Adams
C&E Systems
Sonya Fischer
Kafoury & McDougal
Chuck Robinowitz
Shelley Russell
Kathryn Clarke
Keith Dozier
Johnson Johnson Larson & Schaller PC
Gresham Injury Law Center
Rosenthal Greene & Devlin PC
Mike Williams, Linda Love & Leslie O’Leary
 Ticket Sponsors
Kelly Andersen
Don Corson & Lara Johnson
Scott Shorr
Pat Block
Myah Kehoe
Chuck Tauman
Michael Wise
12 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
SNOW BALL continued from page 11
The festive ballroom was packed for the 2013 Snow Ball dinner.
President-elect Shelley Russell and Guardian
and Board member Lara Johnson.
Parliamentarian Neil Jackson and Guardian
Maria Jackson (r) with their daughter Carina
Guzzman (l).
Guardians Linda Love (l) and Mike Williams (r) flank Senator Jeff Merkley
and wife Mary Sorteberg.
The fantastic Zenda Torrey band entertained happy attendees.
Guardians Liz McKanna and Elizabeth Welch share
smiles at the Snow Ball.
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 13
Thank You to our ANNUAL SPONSORS
Your continued support helps OTLA provide excellent programming & services. We appreciate your partnership!
 Platinum Plus
Ringler Associates
Settlement Professionals Inc.
Platinum
Synergy Legal
Vision Office Solutions
Gold
Alvey Law Group
Capital Pacific Bank
KestenMedia
Law Offices of Nay & Friedenberg
Morel Ink
Stoll Berne
The James Street Group
14 • SIDEBAR • December 2013
Litigator Lunch Series 2014
SAVE THE
DATES
The theme for the new year is Back to Basics.
All programs will be held at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub
112 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 – 2nd Floor
12:00-1:00pm
January 22nd – February 26th – April 23rd – May 28th
September 24th – October 22nd
December 2013 • SIDEBAR • 15
Paulson Coletti
Lean In
Lunch Series
He delivers. In two states.
Open to all OTLA
Women’s Caucus and
OWLs members
A brown-bag video/discussion
series starting January 9th
12-1pm at
Paulson Coletti
Trial Attorneys PC
1022 NW Marshall St., Ste 450
Continues every First
Thursday starting
in February
Email Jane Paulson at
[email protected]
for more details or to RSVP
Don Jacobs will take your cases to trial in Oregon... and Washington. A plaintiff’s
attorney for over 30 years, he is available to handle your cases in either state.
503-222-7757
[email protected]
www.nwinjurylawcenter.com
OREGON TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
319 SW Washington St., Ste. 607
Portland, OR 97204
www.oregontriallawyers.org