The Honorable Elizabeth Perris '75 Works to Expand Pro Bono Representation
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Elizabeth Perris '75 is featured in the December 2006 issue of the Oregon State Bar Bulletin on the work of judges to expand pro bono representation for litigants involved in a bankruptcy crisis. Perris participates in a bankruptcy clinic that serves people from a six-county Northern Willamette Valley area who have filed, or are considering filing, bankruptcy under Chapter 7 to discharge their unsecured personal debts. The clinic, which was started in 1997, runs for one hour every Thursday evening at rotating locations in Beaverton, Gresham, and downtown Portland.
The clinic starts with a general lecture about bankruptcy by Perris, another bankruptcy judge, or a volunteer lawyer from government practice. Perris says that the clinic provides an opportunity for those who can't see private clients because of their jobs to contribute. "When you're a professional," she says, "you make a commitment to provide more than services for money. I like to think that part of our job is community outreach."
Perris, who had a bankruptcy practice representing businesses and trustees, also was a bankruptcy trustee before becoming a bankruptcy judge 22 years ago.
Oregon State Bar Bulletin/December 2006
The clinic starts with a general lecture about bankruptcy by Perris, another bankruptcy judge, or a volunteer lawyer from government practice. Perris says that the clinic provides an opportunity for those who can't see private clients because of their jobs to contribute. "When you're a professional," she says, "you make a commitment to provide more than services for money. I like to think that part of our job is community outreach."
Perris, who had a bankruptcy practice representing businesses and trustees, also was a bankruptcy trustee before becoming a bankruptcy judge 22 years ago.
Oregon State Bar Bulletin/December 2006