With the national elections just around the corner, some students may wonder how they can make educated choices when there’s so much they may not know regarding the issues.
On Thursday, students have a good chance to become better informed about the state of legal affairs in Oregon. The Oregon Future Lawyers Association, a campus organization for both undergraduates and law students, has invited Judge Paul DeMuniz, the current presiding judge for the Oregon Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court candidate, to speak at the University Thursday morning.
Daniel Katz, a senior political science major who is coordinating DeMuniz’s visit, said the judge’s appearance is an unusual event.
“Something like this is a rare opportunity,” he said. “Judge DeMuniz is obviously really busy and to take the time to come here all the way from Salem is a very positive gesture on his part. Students get to see and talk to a judge up close and personal and that doesn’t happen all the time.”
Judge DeMuniz, who grew up in Northeast Portland, graduated from Madison High School and later served in the United States Air Force. After returning from Vietnam, he acquired a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University and a law degree from Willamette University. DeMuniz practiced law in Salem for 13 years, and has since been twice-elected to the Court of Appeals.
Katz said that the judge will most likely talk about his judicial philosophies, experiences and beliefs regarding the future of Oregon courts.
Judge DeMuniz’s speech will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 28 in the Knight Library Browsing Room. He also plans to briefly speak to the “Introduction to the Legal Profession” class at 9 a.m., and to the Lane County Bar Association at noon. The UOFLA has also planned a small private reception at 11 a.m.
Alan Tauber, president of the UOFLA, said that although DeMuniz is a candidate for the Oregon Supreme Court, his upcoming speech is meant to be much more than a stump speech.
“This is not a campaign stop for him,” Tauber said. “His speech will help educate the campus system at large about our justice system.”
Jennifer Greenough, senior vice president of the UOFLA, also said that DeMuniz’s visit has a profound educational purpose.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to expose students and faculty to many issues,” said Greenough, of DeMuniz’s upcoming speech. “I don’t think people are really aware of a lot of issues that affect us and they should be.”
For more information, contact the Student Senate Office at 346-3749.