Justice Connects
Silvia's Story
After enduring years of emotional, verbal, and physical violence, Silvia finally decided she had to get help. Legal aid helped her file for a restraining order. Silvia was afraid, but she persevered, and the restraining order was upheld. Silvia and her daughters finally feel safe in their own home.
Read more about Silvia, Josephina, and Carmen, and others who were helped by legal aid.
News
CEJ Stands in Solidarity with the Black Community
As members of the legal community, we recognize and acknowledge the role law has played in establishing and perpetuating systems of anti-Black racism, and our heightened duty to work to dismantle these systems.
There is no neutral position to take in the face of systemic racism and white supremacy. We reject these ideologies and affirm our commitment as an organization that believes in meaningful justice and the urgent need to fight for systemic change to combat racism in all its forms.
CEJ and legal aid lawyers across the state will continue to work together to bring equity, justice, and integrity into our communities and our legal system.
29th Annual Awards Luncheon
CEJ's 29th Annual Awards Luncheon At the luncheon, we celebrated exceeding our fundraising goal and honored the individuals and firms that made that possible. Your outstanding contributions in support of legal aid make such a difference, and we could not do this without you! We also honored former Oregon Representative Jennifer Williamson and Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read with the Public Access to Justice Award.
Legal aid is here for clients who are experiencing increased legal needs during the COVID-19 crisis.Thank you for being here for legal aid!
CEJ Staff Working Remotely
Laf-Off: Oregon’s Premier Lawyer Comedy Event!
On October 25, 2019, about 300 members of the Oregon legal community gathered to witness Oregon's Premier Lawyer Comedy Club Event: Laf-Off!Nine lawyer comedians vied for fabulously decorated rubber chicken awards. With such talented comedians, we wish that everyone could have taken home a chicken, but these were the ultimate winners:
EARLY SHOW:- Most dollars raised for legal aid: DIANE HENKELS! (She took home the fabulous "Oh Chickey, You're so Fine" chicken.
- Most donors for legal aid: SARAH LOWE! (She took home the amazing "Ruth Bader Ginsbawk" chicken.)
- Funniest Comedian Before 9:00 p.m.: SARAH LOWE! (She took home the incredible "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Hen" chicken.)
- Most dollars raised for legal aid: HEATHER WEIGLER! (She claimed the marvelous "CHIC-en" award.)
- Most donors for legal aid: HEATHER WEIGLER! (She took home the tremendous "Chicken Breast-Stroke" award.)
- Funniest Comedian After 9:00 p.m.: IT WAS A TIE!
- CIERRA BROWN took home the extraordinary "Baked Chicken" award.
- PAUL NEESE claimed the phenomenal "Count Chickula" award.
Lane County Luncheon
The 11th Annual Campaign for Equal Justice Lane County Luncheon
On October 4, 2019, nearly 200 members of the Lane County legal community gathered at the Vet's Club for the 11th Annual CEJ Lane County Luncheon.
Our speakers included: Hon. Mustafa Kasubhai, Hon. Josephine Mooney, Todd Johnston, Ross Williamson, Gerry Gaydos, Erika Hente, Elliott Farren, Molly Wijers, and Sebastian Tapia from the Lane County Bar Association.
As Judge Kashubai so sagely pointed out during the luncheon:
"I am wholly disinterested in resting on the ideal of separate but equal. We have been down that road before and we need not describe the utterly flawed logic and intrinsic inequity of such a system. The ideal our community must pursue is the ideal of one circle that includes all of us. Without this ideal, there is no justice.
The Campaign pursues this ideal. Through your passion for justice and commitment to equity, we can keep drawing that circle wider to one day include everyone. This also means no one can be on the sidelines. Supporting the Campaign is one key way to draw the circle wider. Our practice of professionalism in this legal community also plays an important role."
Legal Needs Study
The study has been in the news recently. Read more about it in the following stories and editorials:
- March 15, 2019 / Bend Bulletin
- March 13, 2019 / Salem Reporter
- March 5, 2019 / Oregon Public Broadcasting
- February 28, 2019 / Oregonian
- June 2019 / Oregon State Bar Bulletin
Success Stories
You & Legal Aid Helped Clara
After Clara's abuser sent her to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, legal aid helped keep her and her son safe and in their home.
You & Legal Aid Helped Emily
Emily's husband was violent and the violence was escalating. Legal aid helped guide Emily through the restraining order process.
You & Legal Aid Helped Steve
When "Steve's" landlord shut off the boiler, leaving all the tenants without heat for eight months, legal aid helped them assert their rights.
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