MINUTES OF THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SECTION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
August 17, 2007
I. CALLED TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:10 p.m. by Chair Linh Vu. Present at the meeting were:
Robert Guarrasi; Julie Masters; Mark Thesing; Matthew Fisher; Holly Somers Chair Elect; Linh Vu Chair; Jill Riechers; Geoffrey Wren; Meg Carman Treasurer; and Matthew Roy Secretary.
Mustafa Kasubhai was present by phone until approximately 12:22 p.m., at which time he left the meeting.
II. MINUTES:
The minutes from the prior meeting were approved unanimously.
III. CHAIR REPORT:
There was no chair report.
IV. TREASURER’S REPORT:
The treasurer’s report indicated that we had a $23,845 balance, and Meg Carman indicated that $2,000 was still to be paid to the Campaign for Equal Justice, and that the Bench Bar Forum had to be paid for out of those funds as well. That brought up a number of topics, including the use of the money. Robert Guarrasi reported on access to justice and indicated that there is, indeed, a need for claimants’ attorneys in the community. He mentioned newer claimants’ attorneys in the community, including Keith Semple, Brian Green, Adriana Ortega, Kathy Proctor, Stefan Gonzalez, and Klarissa DeLaHart. Also mentioned was that defense continued to be hiring for Workers’ Compensation attorneys. Nearly the entire meeting was spent discussing what we could do to spend the additional money to entice new lawyers to enter the Workers’ Compensation claimants’ practice. Ideas included a mentor program, a CLE video feed, and buying Workers’ Compensation CLE manuals for new attorneys. Particularly of a problem is in Eastern Oregon where there are more unrepresented workers and less attorneys. It is noted that the OWCA list serve is somewhat helpful to claimants’ attorneys, especially new practitioners. Finally, we decided to create an Access to Justice Subcommittee to actually work on coming up with an idea for attracting new claimant attorneys. Robert Guarrasi is to take the lead on that committee, assisted by Matthew Fisher and Holly Somers.
V. BENCH BAR FORUM:
The contract for the facility at Willamette Valley Vineyards is in the process of being reviewed and signed by the Bar. Chuck Mundorff is working with the PLF and malpractice traps as far as a panel with one claimants’ attorney and one defense attorney. Post-meeting, Matthew Roy conferred with Justice Peterson who indicated he is unable to do CLEs on Fridays, as that time is reserved for time with his wife. This was communicated to Jill Riechers who will look at other options.
VI. DAUGHTRY AWARD:
There was no report on the Daughtry Award or Committee at this point.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:10 p.m.