The Oregon State Legislature is currently in full session and debating a proposed budget for Governor Brown’s approval. At stake is funding for our Oregon Courts. The Judicial Branch currently receives less than 3{45ef85514356201a9665f05d22c09675e96dde607afc20c57d108fe109b047b6} of the total budget even though it is one of our three branches of government. SYK partner, Chris Costantino, in her role as President of the Oregon State Bar this year co-authored an article which was recently published in The Oregonian outlining the need to adequately fund our state courts in the 2019 budget. Right now, only one court house in the entire state is providing public services full time; other courts have limited time to answer phone calls or in-person requests. This is because court staffing has been cut by more than 12{45ef85514356201a9665f05d22c09675e96dde607afc20c57d108fe109b047b6} since 2009. Understaffing impacts individuals and businesses who cannot access the court to get their disputes heard and resolved in a timely manner. The legislative session is scheduled to conclude on June 30th. Reach out to your local legislator and let them know how important it is to adequately fund our courts! For more information go to the Oregon State Bar’s website at www.osbar.org.
2019 President of the Oregon State Bar, Chris Costantino is committed to helping clients navigate the complex and emotionally challenging territory of family law in their personal lives and family businesses.
Her trademark philosophy — love your children, protect your assets, and preserve your legacy — guides her law practice as she helps clients with a number of legal issues including divorce and dissolution of domestic partnerships; prenuptial and domestic partner agreements; contested custody, child and spousal support; grandparents’ rights; contested guardianships and conservatorships; and trust litigation.
