The Disability Law Section’s 2025 CLE will be held on September 19, 2025 at the Oregon State Bar Center, 16037 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard.  Join us to learn about the intersections between mental illness and guardianship, working with court visitors, protective proceedings oversight, and how to establish less restrictive alternatives.

Register for the in-person event or live webcast at www.osbar.org/seminars (search for DIS25)

• $90 – ONLD member
• $105 – Disability Law Section member
• $115 – OSB member
• $125 – Non-OSB member
• $20 – Sack Lunch

Electronic materials are included with all registrations.  Webcast registration includes online access to the recorded seminar for 60 days after the event. Closed captions available.

The Disability Law Section has a limited number of scholarships available on a first come, first served basis. To apply, contact Carly Cannon at carly.cannon [at] mcda.us by Wednesday, September 10. Requests are considered in the order received. Please do not include any financial documentation or sensitive personal information with your scholarship request.

Schedule

12:00 — Registration and Lunch
(brown bags are welcome or you may order lunch when registering)

12:20 — Welcome and Introductions
Meredith Weaver, Disability Law Section Chair, Disability Rights Advocates, Portland

12:30 — Intersections Between Mental Illness and Guardianship

• When does a mental illness meet the definition of “incapacity”?
• What role does community support play?
• How do guardians navigate when to use supported decision making?

Alex Bluestone, Alex Bluestone Law LLC, Salem
Charity Damesworth, Residential Facilities Ombudsman, Salem
Nicole Svoboda, Nicole Svoboda’s Fiduciary Services LLC, Lake Oswego

1:15  Break

1:30 — Working with Court Visitors

• Rules and practice tips in working with court visitors
• Calling a visitor as a witness
• Procedure in juvenile cases

Cynthia Dorson, Marion County Probate Commissioner, Salem
Candice Elliott, Linn County Court Visitor, Albany
Jeffrey Petty, Probate Analyst, Oregon Judicial Department, Salem
Carley Pouland, Juvenile and Family Court Programs Division, Salem, Oregon Judicial Department, Salem

2:15 — Break

2:30 — Protective Proceedings Oversight: Monitoring and Auditing

• Monitoring of adult guardianship cases
• Why monitor?
• Who are monitors and what is the impact?
• Protections to address financial irregularities
• Best practices in submitting financial statements
• What an audit looks like

Jeni Bennett, Guardian Partners, Portland
Christian Hale, Office of the State Court Administrator, Oregon Judicial Department, Salem

3:15 — Break

4:00 — Less Restrictive Alternatives (LRA)

• How to establish LRA
• When is it appropriate
• Why it matters Honorable

Jacqueline Alarcon, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Portland
Micah Ralston, The Arc of Oregon, Salem
Greta Regan, Disability Rights Oregon, Portland

4:45 — Adjourn