The NLG has a number of Committees and programs that members can plug into.
Legal Observing
Legal Observers trained by the Portland Chapter are dispatched to political events in the Portland area to prevent and, where necessary, document police abuse. Requests for legal observers should be made to legalobserver @ lclark.edu.
The Protester Project
The Protester Project is a program of the Portland National Lawyers Guild in which criminal defense lawyers, investigators, and legal workers volunteer to provide quality, pro bono, defense representation to folks arrested at demonstrations state wide. Contact Stu at 503.228.6655 or quixote516 @ yahoo.com.
IPR Reform & CRC Advocacy
The Portland Chapter has been active in efforts to empower citizens in seeking redress and accountability in police misconduct cases since 2000. The Chapter spearheaded efforts in 2000 leading to a Mayoral task force. We continued to pressure for reform of the prior weak and ineffective watchdog, Police Internal Investigations Audit Committee(PIIAC), which lead to the establishment of the current Independent Police Review (IPR) process. The Chapter played an important role along with other community partners in the recent strengthening of IPR and will continue to press for reforms until a truly independent and empowered investigation and review process is in place. In the interim, the Chapter provides law student and attorney advocates to citizens appealing adverse decisions before the Citizens Review Committee (CRC). If you would like help with your appeal to the CRC, contact the NLG at 503.512.0654 or portlandchapter @ nlg.org. If you would like to volunteer as an advocate for CRC appellants, contact Liberty at liberty.straney at gmail.com.
Mentorship Program
Foster radical attorneys! Build greater community among Portland NLG members! The Portland chapter’s Mentorship Program is open to NLG members, including legal workers, students, and attorneys. The aim is to promote new leadership within the Guild, and to sharpenthe skills and dedication of all members. Mentorship lasts for the duration of the school year. Mentors and mentees are matched based on shared interests, so each pair of matches can determine the focus of their relationship (e.g. social, skills-building, networking, etc.). Mentors are asked to meet mentees 2 – 3 times over the course of the school year. Although we make matches in the fall, we are happy to add new participants throughout the school year. To learn more about the program or to sign up: Attorneys and legal workers contact Margo at margo.dobbertin @ gmail.com, Students contact Erica at ericarothman @ gmail.com.
Safe Communities Project
The Safe Communities Project is a group of organizations and individuals who concerned about the collaboration between Multnomah County law enforcement and ICE. Currently, procedures in Multnomah County allow information regarding the immigration status of individuals arrested for relatively minor offenses, prior to any conviction, be transmitted to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As a result, these people are often deported, regardless of the seriousness of the alleged offense or their culpability. This relationship damages the trust between local police and Multnomah County’s immigrant communities. We have heard from our communities that victims and survivors of domestic violence, individuals who need to utilize emergency services, and others who interact with local law enforcement are often fearful to seek the help that they need. When witnesses and victims are afraid to speak out, it makes all of us less safe and impedes the reduction of criminal activity. www.safecommunitiesproject.com
Student Chapter
Lewis and Clark Law School has a very active NLG chapter. Students lead Portland’s Legal Observing and CRC Advocacy projects. In addition, students conduct Know Your Rights trainings, communicate with political prisoners, conduct legal research for NLG attorneys, and host radical speakers. To join the student chapter or to discuss hosting an event on the Lewis and Clark campus, contact Logan at lep @ lclark.edu or Erica at ericarothman @ gmail.com.
Social Events
The Portland chapter coordinates regular social events for public interest lawyers, law students, legally-minded non-lawyers, and all friends of the people, including children. Lately it has taken the form of a “Public Interest Lawyers Happy Hour” every month. It is usually on a weekday after work at a convenient location. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded folks and continue to support each other in the work we do. For more information or details about the next event, contact Courtney at courtcrowe @ gmail.com.
Topical Meetings
The Portland Chapter holds “topical meetings” about every other month to discuss in-depth the legal background and implications of a campaign in which the Guild or its allies are currently involved. Examples of recent topics have included the Joint Terrorism Task Force, immigration reform, responses to mortgage foreclosures, and Portland police accountability mechanisms. For more information about the next topical meeting, contact Cathy at cathy @ portlandlawcollective.com.
The National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force assists those working on military law issues as well as military law counselors working directly with GIs. It trains and mentors counselors and beginning military law attorneys in all aspects of military law through training materials and direct communication. It updates changes in military law and policy.
Jobs with Justice
The Chapter is a member of Portland Jobs with Justice, http://www.jwjpdx.org/, a coalition of labor and community groups fighting for workers’ rights and economic justice.
Litigation Committee
A network of Portland NLG members working on community issues.
