Source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors009.html
Timestamp: 2017-09-22 16:55:48
Document Index: 5074431

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', 'arty\n9', 'arty\n9', '§2', '§14', '§15', '§5', '§3', '§15', '§1', '§2', '§1', '§1', '§1', '§3', '§3', '§4', '§4', '§5', '§5', '§3', '§2', '§7', '§2', '§10', '§3', '§3', '§13', '§5', '§2', '§5', '§2', '§3', '§4', '§57', '§3', '§6', '§2', '§1', '§5', '§2', '§3', '§2', '§3', '§18', '§7', '§2', '§3', '§1', '§2', '§4', '§2', '§5', '§20', '§6', '§6', '§1', '§2', '§171', '§1', '§23', '§277', '§24', '§278', '§1', '§2', 'sui generis', '§3', '§9', '§9', '§56', '§10', '§2', '§72', '§98', '§97', '§3', '§4', '§11', '§1', '§2', '§7', '§14', '§7', '§10', '§2', '§3', '§4', '§6', '§17', '§2', '§3', '§5', '§4', '§2', '§5', '§6', '§7', '§18', '§6', '§9', '§9', '§8', '§19', '§7', '§11', '§9', '§20', '§225', '§1', '§11', '§7', '§10', '§21', '§8', '§11', '§22', '§10', '§12', '§23', '§12', '§12', '§13', '§24', '§13', '§1', '§176', '§1', '§3', '§105', '§4', '§78', '§36', '§104', '§2', '§5', '§79', '§37', '§147', '§2', '§104', '§3', '§6', '§11', '§3', '§104']

ATTORNEYS; LAW LIBRARIES
9.005 Definitions for ORS 9.005 to 9.757
9.010 Status of attorney and Oregon State Bar; applicability of statutes
9.025 Board of governors; number; eligibility; term
9.030 Voting rights; eligibility of members for board of governors and house of delegates
9.040 Election of governors; rules; vacancies
9.042 Determination of eligibility of candidate for board of governors; procedure; review by Supreme Court
9.060 Officers; election; vacancies
9.070 Duties of officers; deposit and disbursement of fees
9.080 Duties of board of governors; professional liability fund; quorum; status of employees of bar
9.090 Appropriation and disbursement of funds
9.100 Statement of financial condition
9.112 Board of governors to establish minimum continuing legal education requirements
9.114 Mandatory training on duties relating to reporting child abuse and abuse of elderly persons; rules
9.136 House of delegates created; membership; terms
9.142 Rules for conduct of business; meetings
9.145 Public members
9.148 Participation by nondelegates; referral of question for mail vote; petition for consideration or mail vote
9.150 Termination of delegate’s term
9.152 Election of delegates; rules
9.155 Recall of delegate
9.160 Bar membership required to practice law; exceptions
9.162 Definitions for ORS 9.160 to 9.166
9.164 Investigation of alleged violation of ORS 9.160
9.166 Enjoining practicing law without a license; restitution to victim
9.180 Classes of membership
9.191 Annual membership fees; professional liability assessments
9.200 Effect of failure to pay membership fees; reinstatement
9.210 Board of bar examiners; fees of applicants for admission to bar
9.220 General requirements for admission
9.241 Practice of law by attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions; rules; fee
9.242 Advice on law of foreign jurisdiction; rules
9.250 Order for admission; oath of qualified applicant
9.261 Resignation of attorney
9.280 Prohibition on acting as immigration consultant; definitions; exception
Note Task Force on Immigration Consultant Fraud--2015 c.753 §§1,2
9.310 Attorney defined; counsel
9.320 Necessity for employment of attorney; effect of employment
9.340 Challenge by party of attorney’s authority to appear for party
9.350 Challenge of attorney’s authority to appear for adverse party
9.380 Changing attorneys and terminating attorney-client relationship
9.390 Notice of change or termination
9.460 Duties of attorneys
9.490 Formulation of rules of professional conduct; prohibition on certain sanctions for violation of rule
9.500 Solicitation of personal injury business by nonlawyer
9.505 Payment for referring claims resulting from personal injury or death
9.510 Solicitation by attorneys
9.515 Referral of claims, suits or actions between attorneys; division of fees
9.520 Acceptance and prosecution of solicited claims
9.527 Grounds for disbarment, suspension or reprimand
9.528 Advice on conducting covert operations; participation in covert operations
9.529 Status of proceedings relating to discipline, admission or reinstatement
9.532 Local professional responsibility committees; state professional responsibility board; powers; witnesses, subpoenas; oaths
9.534 Disciplinary board; procedure before board; oaths; subpoenas; hearing; record
9.536 Disciplinary board decision; appeal to Supreme Court; review; costs
9.539 Application to admission and reinstatement proceedings
9.542 Rules for investigation of attorneys and applicants; authority of board of governors to require fingerprints
9.555 Copy of complaint or notice to Attorney General when bar is plaintiff or defendant; exceptions
9.565 Tax return information from Department of Revenue; use
9.568 State lawyers assistance committee; personal and practice management assistance committees; rules; confidentiality; civil immunity
9.572 Bar to establish Legal Services Program; director; advisory and technical committees
9.576 Review of providers; mediation; hearing; suspension of funding
9.577 Legal Aid Account
9.578 Other funding sources
9.582 Use of amounts not paid to class members in class action lawsuits
9.615 Definition for ORS 9.615 to 9.665
9.625 Plan to relieve client losses; rules
9.635 Sources of client security fund
9.645 Annual payment by state bar members
9.655 Investigation of claim of loss; subpoena
9.657 Immunity from civil liability
9.665 Authority for reimbursement of client; waiver of conditions; subrogation for amount paid
9.675 Mandatory certification and disclosures for lawyer trust accounts
9.685 Trust account overdraft notification program
9.695 Status of files or work premises of lawyer; inadmissibility of evidence subject to search or seizure
9.705 Definitions for ORS 9.705 to 9.757
9.710 Jurisdiction of circuit court over law practice of nonperforming attorney
9.715 Petition to take jurisdiction over law practice
9.720 Court taking jurisdiction over law practice
9.725 Appointment of bar as custodian of law practice; duties of custodian, court and financial institution
9.727 Service of order of custodianship
9.730 Assistance by professional liability fund and other attorneys
9.735 Compensation of custodian
9.740 Court orders appealable; stay
9.745 Statutes of limitation suspended
9.750 Confidentiality of files and records; attorney-client privilege
9.755 Final report of custodian; petition for compensation; court approval
9.757 Retention of client materials
9.760 Judicial department library services; fees
9.780 Exchange of legal publications
9.790 Legislative Counsel furnishing copies of codes and session laws for exchange
9.800 Sale of surplus codes and session laws
9.815 County law libraries and law library services
9.820 Law libraries in Multnomah County
9.825 Law library surveys; reports
9.990 Penalties
9.005 Definitions for ORS 9.005 to 9.757. As used in ORS 9.005 to 9.757, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise:
(4) “Executive director” means the chief administrative employee of the bar, appointed by the board. The executive director may, but need not be, a member of the bar; and the executive director shall serve at the board’s discretion and shall perform such duties as the board shall prescribe.
(5) “Governor” means a member of the board of governors of the bar.
(6) “House” and “house of delegates” mean the house of delegates of the Oregon State Bar.
(7) “Oregon State Bar,” “state bar” and “bar” mean the Oregon State Bar created by the State Bar Act set forth in ORS 9.005 to 9.757.
(8) “Rules of procedure” means the rules of procedure relative to admission, discipline, resignation and reinstatement of members of the bar adopted by the board and approved by the Supreme Court. [1975 c.641 §2; 1979 c.252 §14; 1995 c.302 §15; 1997 c.249 §5]
9.010 Status of attorney and Oregon State Bar; applicability of statutes. (1) An attorney, admitted to practice in this state, is an officer of the court.
(2) The Oregon State Bar is a public corporation and an instrumentality of the Judicial Department of the government of the State of Oregon. The bar is authorized to carry out the provisions of ORS 9.005 to 9.757.
9.025 Board of governors; number; eligibility; term. (1)(a) The Oregon State Bar shall be governed by a board of governors consisting of 19 members:
9.030 Voting rights; eligibility of members for board of governors and house of delegates. (1) An active member of the Oregon State Bar shall vote for members of the board of governors and house of delegates representing the region in which the bar member maintains the member’s principal office.
9.040 Election of governors; rules; vacancies. (1) The election of governors shall be held annually on a date set by the board of governors. The election shall be by ballot. Any member of the Oregon State Bar who is eligible to serve as a governor for a region may file a signed statement of candidacy for the region. Statements of candidacy must be filed with the executive director of the bar. The board shall establish a deadline for filing statements of candidacy.
(2)(a) The executive director shall mail ballots containing the names of the candidates for the office of governor in each region to every active member in the region. Ballots may be delivered in person or by mail to the executive director, but must be received by the executive director on or before the day of the election. The executive director shall canvass the votes and record the results of the election.
(6) A vacancy in the office of public member of the board of governors shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a governor appointed by the board. [Amended by 1973 c.114 §3; 1979 c.252 §15; 1985 c.512 §1; 1995 c.302 §2; 2001 c.297 §1; 2003 c.192 §1; 2005 c.347 §1; 2011 c.303 §3]
9.042 Determination of eligibility of candidate for board of governors; procedure; review by Supreme Court. (1) Upon the written request of any member of the bar, or upon the board’s own motion, the board of governors shall determine the eligibility of a candidate for the board. A request under this section must be filed with the executive director within 30 days after the final day on which statements of candidacy are required to be filed. The board shall give written notice of the request to the candidate whose eligibility will be determined. The board shall provide an opportunity to the candidate to respond on the issue of the candidate’s eligibility.
(5) The board of governors shall establish procedures for the implementation of subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The procedures shall be designed to ensure that there will be a final determination on the eligibility of a candidate for the board no later than 10 days before the mailing of the ballots to members of the bar in the election that is affected by the determination.
(6) This section provides the exclusive procedure for challenging the eligibility of a candidate for the board. No other administrative or judicial proceeding may be brought to challenge the eligibility of a candidate for the board. [1993 c.307 §3; 2011 c.303 §4]
9.050 Recall of governors. (1) On petition signed by 25 percent of the members in any region for the recall of any governor elected from that region, the executive director shall serve notice as soon as possible on the governor informing the governor that the petition has been filed. If the governor does not resign within 10 days after the date the notice is served, the executive director shall mail ballots to each active member of the bar within the region eligible to vote, submitting the question whether the governor shall be recalled. If a majority of the members voting at the election vote in favor of the recall, the governor is recalled.
9.080 Duties of board of governors; professional liability fund; quorum; status of employees of bar. (1) The state bar shall be governed by the board of governors, except as provided in ORS 9.136 to 9.155. The board is charged with the executive functions of the state bar and shall at all times direct its power to the advancement of the science of jurisprudence and the improvement of the administration of justice. It has the authority to adopt, alter, amend and repeal bylaws and to adopt new bylaws containing provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs of the state bar not inconsistent with law.
(E) Records of a claim against the professional liability fund are exempt from disclosure under ORS 192.410 to 192.505.
9.110 Board of governors to formulate rules. The board of governors may formulate and declare rules for carrying out the functions of the state bar. [Amended by 1975 c.641 §4; 1981 c.193 §5; 1995 c.302 §5]
9.112 Board of governors to establish minimum continuing legal education requirements. The board of governors shall by rule establish minimum continuing legal education requirements for all active members of the Oregon State Bar. Rules adopted by the board of governors are subject to review by the Supreme Court. [1999 c.953 §3]
9.114 Mandatory training on duties relating to reporting child abuse and abuse of elderly persons; rules. The Oregon State Bar shall adopt rules to establish minimum training requirements for all active members of the bar relating to the duties of attorneys under ORS 124.060 and 419B.010. Rules adopted under this section are subject to review and approval by the Supreme Court. [1999 c.953 §2; 2013 c.352 §7]
9.132 [1993 c.131 §2; renumbered 9.685 in 2011]
(5) Elected delegates shall be elected from the regions established by ORS 9.025. Only active members of the bar may vote for delegates. A member may vote for delegates from the region in which the member maintains the member’s principal office.
9.145 Public members. The board of governors shall appoint a public member delegate for each region in the State of Oregon established by ORS 9.025 (2)(a). A public member delegate shall serve a three-year term. A vacant public member delegate position shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a delegate appointed by the board of governors. The appointment of public member delegates shall be made by the board before the time set for the election of delegates under ORS 9.152. The term of a public member delegate shall commence on the same date that the term of an elected delegate commences. [1995 c.302 §10; 2001 c.297 §3; 2015 c.122 §3]
9.152 Election of delegates; rules. (1) The election of delegates to the house of delegates shall be held annually on a date set by the board of governors. The election shall be by ballot. Any member of the Oregon State Bar who is eligible to serve as a member for a region may file a signed statement of candidacy for the region. Statements of candidacy must be filed with the executive director of the state bar at least 30 days before the election.
(2)(a) The executive director shall mail ballots containing the names of the candidates for the office of delegate in each region to every active member in the region. Ballots may be delivered in person or by mail to the executive director, but must be received by the executive director on or before the day of the election. The executive director shall canvass the votes and record the results of the election.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the board may not conduct an election for a region if the number of candidates for the region is equal to or less than the number of open positions for the region. If the number of candidates for the region is equal to or less than the number of open positions for the region, the board shall declare the candidate or candidates elected on a date specified by the board. [1995 c.302 §13; 2001 c.297 §5; 2003 c.192 §2; 2011 c.303 §5]
9.160 Bar membership required to practice law; exceptions. (1) Except as provided in this section, a person may not practice law in this state, or represent that the person is qualified to practice law in this state, unless the person is an active member of the Oregon State Bar.
(3) An individual licensed under ORS 696.022 acting in the scope of the individual’s license to arrange a real estate transaction, including the sale, purchase, exchange, option or lease coupled with an option to purchase, lease for a term of one year or longer or rental of real property, is not engaged in the practice of law in this state in violation of subsection (1) of this section.
9.162 Definitions for ORS 9.160 to 9.166. As used in ORS 9.160 to 9.166 and 9.280, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise:
(1) “Person” means a human being, a public body as defined by ORS 174.109, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a limited liability company or any other business entity created under law.
(3) “Victim” means any person who the court determines has suffered pecuniary damages as a result of any other person’s violation of ORS 9.160. [1987 c.860 §2; 2009 c.218 §3]
9.166 Enjoining practicing law without a license; restitution to victim. If the board has reason to believe that a person is practicing law without a license, the board may maintain a suit for injunctive relief in the name of the Oregon State Bar against any person violating ORS 9.160. The court shall enjoin any person violating ORS 9.160 from practicing law without a license. Any person who has been so enjoined may be punished for contempt by the court issuing the injunction. An injunction may be issued without proof of actual damage sustained by any person. The court shall order restitution to any victim of any person violating ORS 9.160. The prevailing party may recover its costs and attorney fees in any suit for injunctive relief brought under this section in which the board is the plaintiff. [1987 c.860 §4; 2001 c.300 §57; 2003 c.260 §3; 2003 c.670 §6]
(3) In establishing annual membership fees, the board shall consider and be guided by the anticipated financial needs of the state bar for the year for which the fees are established, time periods of membership and active or inactive status of members. Annual membership fees may include any amount assessed under any plan for professional liability insurance for active members engaged in the private practice of law whose principal offices are in Oregon as provided in ORS 9.080 (2). The board may not require that a member who has been admitted to practice law in Oregon for 50 years or more pay membership fees, assessments or any amount under ORS 9.645, except that the member shall be required to pay any amount assessed under any plan for professional liability insurance if the member is engaged in the private practice of law and the member’s principal office is in Oregon. [1969 c.602 §2 (enacted in lieu of 9.190); 1973 c.21 §1; 1975 c.641 §5; 1977 c.527 §2; 1979 c.508 §3; 1985 c.486 §2; 1985 c.512 §3; 1995 c.302 §18; 1999 c.171 §7; 2001 c.104 §2; 2003 c.192 §3]
9.200 Effect of failure to pay membership fees; reinstatement. (1) Any member in default in payment of membership fees established under ORS 9.191 (1) or any member in default in payment of assessed contributions to a professional liability fund established under ORS 9.080 (2) shall be given written notice of delinquency and a reasonable time to cure the default. The executive director of the Oregon State Bar shall send the notice of delinquency to the member at the member’s electronic mail address on file with the bar on the date of the notice. The executive director shall send the notice by mail to any member who is not required to have an electronic mail address on file with the bar under the rules of procedure. If a member fails to pay the fees or contributions within the time allowed to cure the default as stated in the notice, the member is automatically suspended. The executive director shall provide the names of all members suspended under this section to the State Court Administrator and to each of the judges of the Court of Appeals, circuit and tax courts of the state.
(3) A member suspended for delinquency under this section may be reinstated only on compliance with the rules of the Supreme Court and the rules of procedure and payment of all required fees or contributions. [Amended by 1957 c.271 §1; 1961 c.499 §2; subsection (2) formerly part of 9.190; 1979 c.508 §4a; 2013 c.3 §2; 2015 c.122 §5]
9.210 Board of bar examiners; fees of applicants for admission to bar. (1) The Supreme Court shall appoint a board of bar examiners to carry out the admissions functions of the Oregon State Bar as set forth in the bar bylaws and the rules of the Supreme Court. The composition of the board of bar examiners shall be as provided in the rules of the Supreme Court, but the board must include at least two public members.
(4) Applications for admission and any other material pertaining to individual applicants are confidential and may be disclosed only as provided in the rules of the Supreme Court. The board’s consideration of an individual applicant’s qualifications is a judicial proceeding for purposes of ORS 192.610 to 192.690. [Amended by 1979 c.252 §20; 1981 c.193 §6; 2015 c.122 §6]
(b) For purposes of this section and ORS 9.025, 9.070, 9.110, 9.210, 9.250 and 9.527, the lack of “good moral character” may be established by reference to acts or conduct that reflect moral turpitude or to acts or conduct which would cause a reasonable person to have substantial doubts about the individual’s honesty, fairness and respect for the rights of others and for the laws of the state and the nation. The conduct or acts in question should be rationally connected to the applicant’s fitness to practice law.
9.241 Practice of law by attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions; rules; fee. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 9.160, the Supreme Court may adopt rules to govern the appearance in judicial and administrative proceedings by attorneys who have not been admitted to practice law in this state. Subject to those rules, an attorney who has not been admitted to practice law in this state may appear as counsel for a party in an action or proceeding before a court, or may appear as counsel for a party in an administrative proceeding, if the attorney is associated with an active member of the Oregon State Bar.
Note: Sections 1 and 2, chapter 753, Oregon Laws 2015, provide:
Sec. 1. Task Force on Immigration Consultant Fraud. (1) The Task Force on Immigration Consultant Fraud is established, consisting of 12 members as follows:
(c) The Secretary of State or the Secretary of State’s designee shall serve as a member of the task force.
(d) The Governor shall appoint the following members:
(A) A representative of the Oregon State Bar.
(B) An attorney who practices in the area of immigration.
(C) A representative of the Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office.
(D) A representative of the Department of Justice.
(E) A representative of an organization of criminal defense attorneys in this state.
(F) A member representing prosecutors in this state.
(G) A representative of an organization that advocates for low-wage workers.
(H) A member representing law enforcement.
(I) A representative of an organization advocating for immigrants and refugees.
(2) The task force shall study the issue of violations of ORS 9.280 by immigration consultants and the practice of immigration consultants attempting to obstruct persons from reporting violations of ORS 9.280.
(9) The task force shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to a committee or an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to immigration as appropriate no later than September 15, 2015.
(10) The Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office shall provide staff support to the task force.
(11) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties in the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for expenses incurred in performing functions of the task force shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office for purposes of the task force.
(12) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties. [2015 c.753 §1]
Sec. 2. Repeal. Section 1 of this 2015 Act is repealed on December 31, 2016. [2015 c.753 §2]
9.320 Necessity for employment of attorney; effect of employment. Any action, suit, or proceeding may be prosecuted or defended by a party in person, or by attorney, except that the state or a party that is not a natural person appears by attorney in all cases, unless otherwise specifically provided by law. Where a party appears by attorney, the written proceedings must be in the name of the attorney, who is the sole representative of the client of the attorney as between the client and the adverse party, except as provided in ORS 9.310. [Amended by 1975 c.451 §171; 2015 c.7 §1]
9.330 Authority of attorney. An attorney has authority to bind the attorney’s client in any of the proceedings in an action, suit or proceeding, by the attorney and client agreement, filed with the clerk or entered in the appropriate record of the court. The attorney also has authority to receive money or property claimed by the client in an action, suit or proceeding, during the pendency thereof, or within three years after judgment, and upon the payment or delivery thereof to discharge the claim or acknowledge satisfaction of the judgment. This section does not prevent a party from employing a new attorney to issue execution upon a judgment or to take other proceedings prescribed by law for its enforcement, and when the party does so, the authority of the former attorney ceases. [Amended by 1985 c.540 §23; 2003 c.576 §277]
9.380 Changing attorneys and terminating attorney-client relationship. (1) The attorney in an action or proceeding may be changed, or the relationship of attorney and client terminated, as follows:
(a) Before judgment or final determination, upon the consent of the attorney filed with the clerk or entered in the appropriate record of the court; or
(b) At any time, upon the order of the court, based on the application of the client or the attorney, for good and sufficient cause.
(2) The relationship of attorney and client may be terminated after the entry of a judgment or other final determination in an action or proceeding by the filing of a notice of termination of the relationship in the action or proceeding. The notice must be signed by the attorney and must state that all services required of the attorney under the agreement between the attorney and the client have been provided. [Amended by 1985 c.540 §24; 2003 c.576 §278; 2011 c.60 §1]
9.390 Notice of change or termination. When an attorney is changed, or the relationship of attorney and client is terminated, as provided in ORS 9.380, written notice of the change or termination shall be given to the adverse party. Until the notice is given, the adverse party is bound to recognize the former attorney. [Amended by 2011 c.60 §2]
9.529 Status of proceedings relating to discipline, admission or reinstatement. Bar proceedings relating to discipline, admission and reinstatement are neither civil nor criminal in nature. They are sui generis and within the inherent power of the Supreme Court to control. The grounds for denying any applicant admission or reinstatement or for the discipline of attorneys set forth in ORS 9.005 to 9.757 are not intended to limit or alter the inherent power of the Supreme Court to deny any applicant admission or reinstatement to the bar or to discipline a member of the bar. [1983 c.618 §3; 1997 c.249 §9]
9.536 Disciplinary board decision; appeal to Supreme Court; review; costs. (1) Upon the conclusion of a hearing, the disciplinary board shall file with the State Court Administrator a written decision in the matter. The Oregon State Bar or the accused may seek review of the decision by the Supreme Court. Such review shall be a matter of right upon the request of either party. Otherwise, the decision of the disciplinary board shall be final. The procedure for seeking discretionary review and on review shall be as provided in the rules of procedure.
9.542 Rules for investigation of attorneys and applicants; authority of board of governors to require fingerprints. (1) The board of governors, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, may adopt rules of procedure relating to the investigation of the conduct of attorneys and applicants for admission and reinstatement to the bar, and relating to the conduct of admission, reinstatement and disciplinary proceedings.
(2) For the purpose of requesting a state or nationwide criminal records check under ORS 181A.195, the board of governors may require the fingerprints of a person who is applying for admission or reinstatement to the bar or for renewal of a license issued by the bar. [1983 c.618 §9; 2005 c.730 §56]
9.565 Tax return information from Department of Revenue; use. The Department of Revenue may furnish to the Oregon State Bar the name and address, if known, of any person admitted to practice law in this state who prepares a return or report permitted or required to be filed with the department for another, and may also furnish to the bar the name and address of the taxpayer, in instances where the department has reasonable grounds to believe the person preparing the return or report prepared it in violation of any provision of ORS 9.460 to 9.542 or 9.705 to 9.757 or the disciplinary rules adopted thereunder. The department shall provide a statement of the basis for its belief that a violation may have occurred. The bar and any person, board or committee described in ORS 9.537 (2), shall use the names, addresses and information furnished under this section solely in the enforcement of ORS 9.460 to 9.542 or 9.705 to 9.757 or the disciplinary rules adopted thereunder. Any information disclosed by the department pursuant to this section may be used in any bar proceeding relating to the discipline, admission or reinstatement of the person preparing the return or report. [1985 c.602 §10; 1999 c.171 §2]
9.568 State lawyers assistance committee; personal and practice management assistance committees; rules; confidentiality; civil immunity. (1)(a) The board of governors of the Oregon State Bar may create a state lawyers assistance committee for the purpose of implementing a lawyers assistance program and, pursuant thereto, authorize the state lawyers assistance committee to investigate and resolve complaints or referrals regarding lawyers whose performance or conduct may impair their ability to practice law or their professional competence.
9.572 Bar to establish Legal Services Program; director; advisory and technical committees. (1) The Oregon State Bar shall by rule establish a Legal Services Program. The program shall provide standards and guidelines for legal service providers receiving funding from the program. The rules shall also provide methods for evaluating legal service providers. Funding received under the program may be used only for the provision of legal services to the poor without charge and for expenses incurred by the Oregon State Bar in the administration of the Legal Services Program.
9.574 [1997 c.801 §72; 2003 c.737 §98; repealed by 2011 c.595 §97a]
9.576 Review of providers; mediation; hearing; suspension of funding. (1) The director of the Legal Services Program appointed under ORS 9.572 shall periodically review legal service providers who receive funding from the program. If the director determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a provider is not in substantial compliance with the standards and guidelines adopted under ORS 9.572, the director shall negotiate with the provider in an attempt to bring the program into compliance.
9.577 Legal Aid Account. (1) The Legal Aid Account is established in the General Fund of the State Treasury. All moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the State Court Administrator for the purpose of the distributions required by this section. Interest earned by the account shall be credited to the General Fund.
(3) Each biennium, the State Court Administrator shall distribute to the Oregon State Bar $11.9 million from the Legal Aid Account. Distributions under this section shall be made by the State Court Administrator in eight quarterly installments of equal amounts, with the first distribution to be made as soon as possible after July 1, 2011. Amounts distributed to the Oregon State Bar under this subsection may be used only for the funding of the Legal Services Program established under ORS 9.572. [2011 c.595 §3a]
Note: 9.577 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 9 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
9.582 Use of amounts not paid to class members in class action lawsuits. All amounts paid or delivered to the Oregon State Bar under ORCP 32O are continuously appropriated to the Oregon State Bar, and may be used only for the funding of legal services provided through the Legal Services Program established under ORS 9.572. [2015 c.2 §4]
Note: 9.582 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 9 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
9.595 [1981 c.193 §11; repealed by 1983 c.617 §1 (9.545 enacted in lieu of 9.595)]
9.615 Definition for ORS 9.615 to 9.665. As used in ORS 9.615 to 9.665, “client security fund” means a fund created under ORS 9.625. [1967 c.546 §2]
9.655 Investigation of claim of loss; subpoena. (1) Upon the filing of a claim, verified under oath, by a client claiming a pecuniary loss payable from the client security fund, the board of governors or its designated representative shall determine if the person named in the claim as the attorney whose dishonest conduct caused the loss was an active member of the Oregon State Bar engaged in the practice of law in Oregon at the time of the transaction out of which the claim arose and whether the transaction arose out of the person’s practice of law in Oregon. The board or designated representative shall then determine whether the loss was caused by the person’s dishonest conduct and if the person:
9.665 Authority for reimbursement of client; waiver of conditions; subrogation for amount paid. (1) Except as provided in this section, reimbursement from the client security fund is discretionary with the board of governors.
(2) The board shall not authorize payment unless the conditions of ORS 9.655 (1) have been found to exist. However, the board may, in its sole discretion, waive one or more of the conditions of ORS 9.655 (1) in cases of extreme hardship or special and unusual circumstances. The state bar is subrogated, in the amount that a client’s claim is reimbursed from the client security fund, to all rights and remedies of that client against the attorney whose dishonest conduct caused the loss, against the estate of the attorney or against any other person liable for the loss. [1967 c.546 §7; 1989 c.1052 §14; 1991 c.726 §7; 2003 c.14 §10]
9.675 Mandatory certification and disclosures for lawyer trust accounts. (1) An active member of the Oregon State Bar shall certify annually to the bar whether the member maintains any lawyer trust accounts in Oregon. If a member maintains one or more lawyer trust accounts, the member must disclose the financial institution in which each account is held and the account number for each account. The executive director of the Oregon State Bar shall prescribe a form and due date for the certification and disclosures required by this section.
(2) If a member does not file the certificate and disclosures required by this section within 30 days after the due date prescribed under subsection (1) of this section, the executive director shall send written notice of the default to the member at the member’s electronic mail address on file with the bar on the date of the notice. The executive director shall send the notice by mail to any member who is not required to have an electronic mail address on file with the bar under the rules of procedure. If a member does not file the certificate and disclosures required by this section within 60 days after the date of the notice, the person’s membership in the bar is automatically suspended. The executive director shall provide the names of all persons suspended under this section to the judges of the circuit courts, the Court of Appeals and the Oregon Tax Court.
(3) A person suspended under this section may be reinstated to membership in the bar only if the person pays all required fees and contributions and complies with all rules of procedure and rules of the Supreme Court relating to reinstatement. [2011 c.304 §2; 2013 c.3 §3]
9.685 Trust account overdraft notification program. (1) Subject to the requirements of ORS 9.490, the Supreme Court may establish a trust account overdraft notification program for attorneys.
(2) The board of governors may adopt regulations for the administration of a trust account overdraft notification program established under this section. Regulations adopted under this subsection are binding upon all members of the bar only after those regulations are approved by the Supreme Court. [Formerly 9.132]
9.705 Definitions for ORS 9.705 to 9.757. As used in ORS 9.705 to 9.757:
(1) “Affected attorney” means a member or former member of the Oregon State Bar whose law practice is placed within the jurisdiction of the court under ORS 9.720 or as to whom a petition has been filed to place such law practice within the jurisdiction of the court under ORS 9.715.
9.710 Jurisdiction of circuit court over law practice of nonperforming attorney. The circuit court of the county in which an attorney engaged in the practice of law in this state maintains or has maintained a principal office has jurisdiction as provided in ORS 9.705 to 9.757 whenever the attorney has died, is disbarred or suspended from the active practice of law, is incarcerated or has abandoned the practice and:
9.715 Petition to take jurisdiction over law practice. When the Oregon State Bar determines that one of the circumstances listed in ORS 9.710 exists, the bar may petition the court ex parte to take immediate jurisdiction over the affected attorney’s law practice as provided in ORS 9.705 to 9.757. [1979 c.252 §4; 1985 c.512 §6; 1989 c.1052 §17; 1991 c.249 §2; 2015 c.6 §3]
9.720 Court taking jurisdiction over law practice. If the court finds that it has jurisdiction and finds that the assumption of such jurisdiction is necessary in order to protect the interest of the clients of the affected attorney or to protect the public interest, the court may, by appropriate order, immediately take jurisdiction over the law practice of the affected attorney to the extent the court determines is necessary. The exercise of jurisdiction may extend only to the affected attorney’s lawyer trust account or may include all legal files, clients’ trust funds, clients’ property and all books, records, funds and property used in the law practice of the affected attorney. [1979 c.252 §5; 2015 c.6 §4]
9.722 [1997 c.135 §2; repealed by 2015 c.6 §5]
9.725 Appointment of bar as custodian of law practice; duties of custodian, court and financial institution. (1) If the court assumes jurisdiction under ORS 9.705 to 9.757, it shall appoint the Oregon State Bar to act as custodian of the law practice of the affected attorney. Immediately upon appointment, the bar shall take possession and control of all property over which the court assumed jurisdiction. The court may order the bar to do one or more of the following:
(g) Do such other acts as the court may direct to carry out the purposes of ORS 9.705 to 9.757.
(2) The court has jurisdiction over that portion of the files, records and property of the affected attorney for the purposes of ORS 9.705 to 9.757 as established in the order, and may make all orders necessary or appropriate to protect the interest of the affected attorney, the clients of the affected attorney and the public.
(3) Any financial institution holding funds in a lawyer trust account of the affected lawyer shall release the funds to the bar upon presentment of a copy of the order appointing the bar as custodian. The bar shall determine the ownership of the funds in the lawyer trust account and distribute the funds as directed by the interested client. Any funds for which ownership cannot be determined or for whom the owner cannot be located shall be turned over to the bar as provided in ORS 98.302 to 98.436.
(4) The bar may not be required to pay a filing fee for filing a petition under ORS 9.715. [1979 c.252 §6; 1985 c.512 §7; 1989 c.1052 §18; 2015 c.6 §6]
9.727 Service of order of custodianship. The Oregon State Bar shall serve a copy of an order appointing the bar as custodian of a law practice under ORS 9.725 on the affected attorney or any person assisting in the suspension or termination of the affected attorney’s practice. The bar shall serve the copy of the order by regular mail to the last-known address of the affected attorney in the records of the bar or to a duly appointed fiduciary at the address provided in an official filing. The affected attorney or assisting person may, within 10 days of the service, request a hearing to challenge the order. After the hearing, the court may vacate or modify the custodianship order as the court finds appropriate. [2015 c.6 §9]
9.730 Assistance by professional liability fund and other attorneys. After appointment as custodian of a law practice under ORS 9.725, the Oregon State Bar may engage the services of the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund created under ORS 9.005 to 9.757 or any active member of the bar to assist in the performance of the bar’s duties as custodian. Acts performed by a member of the bar in assisting the custodian do not constitute acceptance of employment by any client of the affected attorney. [1979 c. 252 §9; 1985 c.512 §8; 1989 c.1052 §19; 2015 c.6 §7]
9.735 Compensation of custodian. The court shall enter a judgment awarding reasonable compensation and expenses to the Oregon State Bar for acting as custodian under ORS 9.705 to 9.757. The judgment shall be against the affected attorney or the estate of the affected attorney. The judgment is a lien upon all nontrust funds, office furnishings, supplies, equipment, library and other personal property used in the law practice of the affected attorney retroactive to the date of filing of the petition for jurisdiction under ORS 9.705 to 9.757. The judgment lien takes priority over all general unsecured creditors, nonpossessory liens and security interests that were unperfected on the date the court assumed jurisdiction, and may be foreclosed as provided in ORS chapter 87. [1979 c.252 §11; 1985 c.512 §9; 1989 c.1052 §20; 2003 c.576 §225; 2013 c.3 §1; 2015 c.6 §11]
9.740 Court orders appealable; stay. Jurisdictional and final orders of the circuit court pursuant to ORS 9.705 to 9.757 are appealable but may not be stayed except as ordered by the circuit court or any appellate court. [1979 c.252 §7; 1985 c.512 §10; 1989 c.1052 §21]
9.745 Statutes of limitation suspended. Any applicable statute of limitations or time limit for the filing set by statute or rule of court as it relates to the affected attorney’s clients shall be suspended automatically by the filing of a petition for jurisdiction under ORS 9.705 to 9.757 for a period of 120 days following the date of filing of such petition. [1979 c.252 §8; 1985 c.512 §11; 1989 c.1052 §22]
9.750 Confidentiality of files and records; attorney-client privilege. Persons examining the files and records of the law practice of an affected attorney pursuant to ORS 9.705 to 9.757 shall preserve the confidentiality of the information relating to the affected attorney’s representation of a client and shall make disclosure only to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of ORS 9.705 to 9.757. Such disclosure is a disclosure which is reasonably necessary for the accomplishment of the purpose for which the affected attorney was consulted. Communications between the Oregon State Bar or its designees and a client of the affected attorney are subject to the attorney-client privilege to the same extent as it would have applied to communications by or to the affected attorney. [1979 c.252 §10; 1985 c.512 §12; 1989 c.1052 §23; 2015 c.6 §12]
9.755 Final report of custodian; petition for compensation; court approval. Whenever the purposes of ORS 9.705 to 9.757 have been accomplished with respect to the law practice of an affected attorney for which the Oregon State Bar has been appointed as custodian under ORS 9.725, the bar shall file with the court a final report and accounting of all funds and property coming into the possession or control of the bar as custodian and a petition for compensation and expenses of the bar for acting as custodian. The bar shall mail a copy of the report and accounting and a copy of the petition of the bar for compensation and expenses to all persons upon whom service was made pursuant to ORS 9.727. Upon approval by the court, an order shall be entered approving the final report and accounting, fixing the amount of compensation and expenses to be allowed to the bar, and discharging the bar from further duties. [1979 c.252 §12; 1985 c.512 §13; 1989 c.1052 §24; 2015 c.6 §13]
9.757 Retention of client materials. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section or by court order, the Oregon State Bar may dispose of client papers and files that have not been claimed by a client of an affected attorney within six months after written notice to the client from the bar. The bar must dispose of the papers and files in a manner reasonably calculated to protect the confidentiality of the information contained in the papers and files.
(2) The bar may dispose of an unclaimed original will as provided in ORS 112.815 and 112.820.
9.815 County law libraries and law library services. (1) Each county shall:
(a) Operate a free law library at a location that is convenient and available at reasonable hours; or
(b) Provide free law library services at one or more locations that are convenient and available at reasonable hours.
(2) A county governing body may enter into a contract with a law library association or other organization for the operation of the law library, or the provision of law library services, required by this section. [2011 c.224 §1; 2011 c.595 §176]
9.820 Law libraries in Multnomah County. In all counties containing more than 400,000 inhabitants, according to the latest federal decennial census, the governing body of the county may contract with any law library association or corporation owning and maintaining a law library in the county at or convenient to the courthouse, for the use of the library by the judges of the circuit and county courts, county commissioners, district attorney and all members of the bar. [Amended by 1963 c.519 §1; 1965 c.619 §3; 2011 c.595 §105]
9.825 Law library surveys; reports. (1) The State Court Administrator shall conduct every two years an electronic survey of all county law libraries and the law library services provided by counties. The survey must request information on:
(a) The extent to which counties provide access to statutes, rules, cases and other legal information, whether through printed materials or electronic access;
(b) Staffing in county law libraries;
(c) The number and types of persons who use county law libraries and other law library services;
(d) The hours that county law libraries are open, or access to law library services is available;
(e) The hours that law library staff assistance is available, either in person, by telephone or through the Internet; and
9.830 [Amended by 1965 c.619 §4; 1981 s.s. c.3 §78; 1983 c.763 §36; repealed by 2011 c.595 §104]
9.840 [Amended by 1963 c.519 §2; 1965 c.619 §5; 1981 s.s. c.3 §79; 1983 c.763 §37; 1997 c.801 §147; 2011 c.224 §2; repealed by 2011 c.595 §104]
9.850 [Amended by 1963 c.519 §3; 1965 c.619 §6; 2003 c.14 §11; 2011 c.224 §3; repealed by 2011 c.595 §104]