Welcome to the conference

Dear fellow Chief Justices and State Court Administrators,

It is with great enthusiasm that we invite you to join us in Portland, Oregon for the 2020 Annual CCJ/COSCA Conference, July 25 - 29. Our event location - The Hilton Portland downtown - is surrounded by exceptional restaurants, shopping opportunities, and activities, many within walking distance. If you are planning to stay in town, skip the rental car and enjoy travel by mass transit (the Max light rail line runs directly from the airport to downtown), cabs, and ride shares. You could also hop on a Biketown bike (or bring your own!) and enjoy the great trails and bike lanes throughout the city. And with Forest and Washington Parks within city limits, you can even plan a wilderness experience without need for a private vehicle.

Our evening events are intended to expand your appreciation for Oregon and its history. The Law and Literature session will be hosted by Oregon author Lauren Kessler. Her book, Stubborn Twig, explores the lives of individuals impacted during the internment of Japanese people in Oregon during World War II. And you will learn even more about our history – from the virtuous to the woeful – at the Oregon Historical Society, where we will gather for the welcome reception. Finally, we will convene on Tuesday night for an evening of revelry, with excellent food and wine at a refurbished warehouse space, surrounded by colorful gardens that rest in the shadow of a large and impressive freeway system.

The educational program is also sure to capture your interest. This year’s theme, building public trust and confidence, is focused on how we can actively engage with our communities to increase understanding of, and appreciation for, the role of courts in our society. Sunday includes sessions on utilizing technology and social media to communicate more effectively with a diverse set of audiences, understanding implicit bias, and the importance of public participation in the court process. Tuesday will feature a unique Portland effort, the Evolve Experience, designed to change racial ecology through the arts.

July is an absolutely perfect time to explore Oregon. We look forward to seeing you and hope you will consider arriving early and staying a few extra days to enjoy our beautiful state.

All the best,

Chief Justice Martha Walters



State Court Administrator Nancy Cozine