The practice management advisors of the Professional Liability Fund frequently receive calls from lawyers and staff who are looking for service providers.  The needs can be far ranging – from interpreters, business appraisers, and e-discovery services to software support or web design.  Very few of the callers realize that a free Products & Services Directory exists on the Oregon State Bar Web site. 

The Products & Services Directory is updated annually in conjunction with the Oregon State Bar Membership Directory. It contains over 85 categories of services and products, including these, which appear a bit odd upon first glance:

• Cause & Origin – Talbott Associates.  This is a consulting engineering firm with more than 90 years experience providing expert testimony and analysis.
• Geneaology – Marion Wilcox Corporation.  This is an heir service with over 25 years experience in specialized investigative techniques for trusts and probates.
• Hotels & Resorts – The next time you need to find lodging for an out of town witness, this list may come in handy.
• Meeting Rooms & Special Events – nice to have along with the hotel and resort list.
• Pianos – Classic Pianos.  Hey, you might need one!
• Sabbaticals – sounds good to me.  At first I thought this was a contract lawyer offering to cover for me while I was on sabbatical, but alas – it is not.  (Contract lawyers do provide this service, however.)  Follow this link to find Your Own French Home if you want to vacation in Provence.

If you’re in a pinch for time, consider:

• Deposition Summaries – Depo Express.  “You send it -we  summarize it.”
• Legal Research Services – National Legal Research Group.  The “nation’s oldest and largest legal research firm … providing members of the Oregon Bar with specialized legal research and advocacy since 1969. Call to discuss your case and get a free estimate. We work with budgets.”
• Litigation Support Services – a convenient list of seven specialists who provide litigation support services, including e-discovery and forensic accounting.
• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders Drafting Services – QDROwest, LLC.  QDROS are a highly specialized area within family law.  If you’ve never drafted one, it’s wise to consult with an expert.
• Scanning & Coding – I receive one or two calls a week asking about scanning closed files.  It’s one of those projects that sounds good until you find out how labor intensive it is.  If you have a big scanning project, consider outsourcing it.  Smart Legal is one option for this service.  
• Shredding & Document Destruction – AccuShred NW.  Secure on and off-site shredding, one-time purges or scheduled service.  Encompasses paper and electronic media destruction.
• Transcription 24/7 – E-Word Solutions, Inc.
• Writing, Editing & Research – Scribe’s Corner.

Next time you’re looking for an auctioneer, computer consultant, estate sale service, or Web site designer, take a look at the Products & Services Directory.  Odds are that you’ll find a great resource.

Copyright 2010 Beverly Michaelis