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(Editor’s note: This piece originally ran in the May 12, 2011 issue of the Briefly Legal PDX e-newsletter)

(From left) Ava Ciccarello, 10, of Portland, and Abby Fellows, 10, of Happy Valley, receive tips from Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Julie Frantz before taking the bench for a mock trial in Frantz’ courtroom on April 28. The girls were part of a group of 200 elementary students from throughout the Portland metro area that participated in Take Your Child to Work Day at the Multnomah County Courthouse. The courthouse event was organized by Oregon Women Lawyers and the Multnomah County bench. (Photo by Sam Tenney)

Edwin A Harnden might need to make some room on a bookshelf or wall in his office. The managing partner at Barran Liebman, who earlier this year was named the Daily Journal of Commerce鈥檚 Leader in the Law, is the 2011 recipient of the Henry H. Hewitt Access to Justice Award. Given to an given to an individual who has made a substantial contribution to legal aid for low-income Oregonians, the award in part recognizes Harnden鈥檚 more than 10-year commitment to the Lawyer鈥檚 Campaign for Equal Justice.

The Commercial Association of Realtors knows a nice guy when it sees one. The group has named attorney Michael R. Silvey the recipient of its 2011 Humanitarian Award. Silvey, a shareholder at Lane Powell, was selected for the honor based on his involvement with the Clackamas Community Land Trust, the Multnomah Circuit Court mediation program and the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette.

Two- and-a-half decades and counting — that鈥檚 the tally for the Portland law firm of Stahancyk, Kent & Hook, which recently celebrated its 25th year in business. From its first days in 1986 as a single-room operation, the firm has grown to 60 employees working in five offices in two states. During that time, the firm and its senior shareholder Jody Stahancyk have collected a long list of awards. Ask Stahancyk to list her favorite and there鈥檚 good chance she鈥檒l point you to some of the more unusual honors she鈥檚 received, including a nod in 1997 from Willamette Week for being Portland鈥檚 鈥淪cariest Divorce Lawyer.鈥� To-ma-to, to-mah-to. Stahancyk鈥檚 clients would more likely refer to her as a fierce advocate willing to take their calls, no matter what time of the day or night they dial.

The Oregon New Lawyers Division has created a new program called 鈥淧ractical Skills Through Public Service鈥� to provide new attorneys with a structured means of gaining experience and practical skills. Portland attorney Collin McKean, co-chair of ONLD鈥檚 Pro Bono Subcommittee, says the program guides new attorneys to pro bono organizations that are certified by the Oregon State Bar. The participating organizations provide opportunities in municipal law, domestic relations law, juvenile rights law, elder law, bankruptcy, criminal law, immigration law and tax law, among other practice areas. New attorneys are encouraged to apply to participate in the program by May 19. Applications are available on the Oregon State Bar鈥檚.