Feb. 16, 1998 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 Source: Heidi Barker, UO Women's Law Forum, (541) 338-8969; e-mail: wlf@law.uoregon.edu. EUGENE--Does Oregon's legal system treat women fairly? Results of a soon-to-be-released, comprehensive study of that question, the Oregon Gender Fairness Task Force Survey, will be revealed at this year's University of Oregon Women's Law Conference, Feb. 27-28. The annual conference takes place at Grayson Hall (UO Law Center), 1101 Kincaid St., and is designed to provide a forum for students, practitioners, faculty and community members to gather and discuss legal issues of interest to women. Free continuing law education credits are available for those attending. Oregon Supreme Court Justice Susan Graber, a nominee for a federal judgeship, is the conference keynote speaker. Graber commissioned the gender fairness survey, which questioned law students, faculty, judges, practitioners, clientele and law enforcement officers on the role of women in a variety of areas of Oregon's legal system including courts, law firms and prisons. "We're very excited to have Justice Graber, who may soon be leaving for the federal bench," said Heidi Barker, conference co-chair. "Justice Graber championed this very important gender fairness survey, which we expect will lead to greater understanding about the challenges that women face in the legal system." Graber will discuss the survey in her address, which is at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, in the Phoenix Room of the Phoenix Inn, 850 Franklin Blvd. Also on tap for the conference are a film, student field trips to the Oregon Women's Correctional Center in Salem, and a series of free public panel discussions concerning women's issues. The events and panel sessions will be held at Grayson Hall. Room locations will be announced later. The conference schedule includes: Friday, Feb. 27 4-9 p.m. Conference kickoff: "The Results and Ramifications of the Faculty/Student Surveys," followed by the film, "Thelma and Louise." Saturday, Feb. 28 9:30 a.m. Panel members will discuss the technicalities of the gender fairness survey, why it was commissioned and how it was conducted. 10:30 a.m. "Women in Prison" will explore how women inmates are treated relative to men, through educational and work-training opportunities, and the availability of child care and visitation programs. 12:30 p.m. "Women in the Workplace" will explore how women are treated in law offices. 2 p.m. "Women in the Courtroom" will explore how women are treated in court and how they are perceived by jurors, clients, judges and other attorneys. 3:30 p.m. Keynote speaker Susan Graber, Oregon Supreme Court justice, Phoenix Room, Phoenix Inn, 850 Franklin Blvd. The Women's Law Conference is sponsored by the UO School of Law and the UO Women's Law Forum, a student-run organization. For more information, contact Heidi Barker, conference co-chair, Women's Law Forum, (541) 338-8969; e-mail: wlf@law.uoregon.edu. -30- #P-4051/Local,OrDailies,OrLaw