Today, June 1, 2017, the Oregon House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 261, which creates a civil rape shield law in Oregon! The bill previously passed unanimously through the Senate on April 27, 2017. Next, it goes to Governor’s office to be signed into law. We previously blogged about this bill, as Graves & Swanson LLC attorney Jackie Swanson and public rape survivor Brenda Tracy advocated for its adoption. Rape shield laws were designed to encourag

Good news for sexual violence survivors on college campuses: On May 15, 2017, Governor Kate Brown signed HB 2972 into law! We previously blogged about this legislation in March 2017, after Graves & Swanson LLC partner Jacqueline Swanson offered testimony in support of this bill. The new law prohibits universities and other institutions of higher education in Oregon from using the threat or imposition of student discipline or other sanctions to influence a sexual assault, dome

On Friday, April 7, 2017, Graves & Swanson LLC Partner Jacqueline Swanson gave a presentation at the Pacific Sociological Association’s (“PSA”) Conference in downtown Portland, Oregon. Along with Stanford Law Professor Michele Dauber and Occidental College Political Science Professor Caroline Heldman, Swanson’s presentation focused on “Institutional Betrayal: Retaliation and Sexual Assault on Campus.” Sexual assault on university campuses is a pervasive problem across the Uni

Jacqueline K. Swanson appeared before the Oregon House and Senate Judiciary Committees on March 22-23, 2017 to testify in support of several laws relating to sexual assault victims’ rights. On March 22, 2017, Graves & Swanson LLC attorney Jacqueline Swanson and advocate Brenda Tracy appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify in support of Senate Bills 795, SB 960 and SB 884. SB 795 would require a law enforcement officer or medical/hospital provider to contact

We are excited to welcome Nina to the firm as a legal assistant. Nina has worked extensively in real estate and in support of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Nina brings a personal passion and individualized approach to assisting clients that we value here at Graves & Swanson. Nina is currently studying for the LSATs and considering going to law school to work in family law or in sexual assault matters. Please take a moment to welcome her to the firm when you

Jacqueline K. Swanson, partner at Graves & Swanson LLC, appeared on KPTV Fox 12 with public rape survivor and advocate Brenda Tracy to discuss SB 261, a bill which would expand Oregon's rape shield law to civil cases. Attorney Jacqueline Swanson and survivor-turned-advocate Brenda Tracy spoke with KPTV Fox 12 reporter Kaitlyn Bolduc to discuss their legislative advocacy regarding Senate Bill 261, which would extend Oregon's rape shield law to protect sexual assault victims' s