37 Yrs Later, Oregon PD Leaving 2-Yr Post
When James Hennings first agreed to help start one of the country’s first not-for-profit law firms to serve defendants who couldn’t afford attorneys, he thought he’d do his part for a couple years, then move on.
Only after 37 years is he ready to call it quits, the Oregonian reports.
Under Hennings’ direction, the Metropolitan Public Defender Services in Portland grew from two attorneys in 1971 to 60 attorneys and 80 support staff. The staff handled 17,000 cases last year alone.
The Oregonian notes that Hennings used federal grant money to launch the firm and as it grew, senior attorneys trained young lawyers fresh to the profession.
Hennings is credited with several innovations, including helping to create a drug court that features a treatment component and requires defendants to check back in with the judge.
Hennings told the paper he’ll retire in June.
