Columbia County Office-Oregon Law Center

Serving Columbia County

Columbia County Brief Advice Clinic.  The Oregon Law Center’s Columbia County Pro Bono Program pairs private volunteer attorneys with Columbia County residents to provide brief advice and document assistance on a variety of legal issues including family, consumer, small estate, and expungements.  For more information, contact Katie Freimuth at (503) 397-1628 or e-mail kfreimuth@oregonlawcenter.org.  Click here ​for project flyer. 

Bankruptcy Clinic.  The Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section and LASO sponsor this project. The project consists of two components, a bankruptcy class and a legal clinic during which volunteer attorneys each meet with two clients for 30-minute appointments.  Anyone may attend the 45-minute class, taught by a member of the bankruptcy bar or bench.  Volunteer attorneys meet with clients, help them assess whether bankruptcy is appropriate, and if so, provide ongoing representation.  The monthly clinic is held from 6:15-9:00 p.m. and alternates between sites in Beaverton, east Portland and downtown Portland.  12-15 attorneys, one mentor and one speaker are typically scheduled for each clinic. For more information contact Jill Mallery at (503) 224-4086 or e-mail jill.mallery@lasoregon.org.

Statewide Volunteer Opportunities:

ProBonoOregon Listserv:  If you don't see a case or a project that interests you on ProBonoOregon web pages, legal services offices around the state also post pro bono cases to the ProBonoOregon listserv each week. An attorney who is interested in accepting a pro bono opportunity contacts the listing office for full case information. This project allows pro bono attorneys to take a pro bono case when it fits best with their schedule.  You must sign-up for the Oregon Advocates website to join the listserv.  If not a member, click here.  Once signed up as a member, suscribe as a listserv user here

NAPOLS Project: The 2018 Barriers to Justice noted that Native Americans are 1.9 times more likely to experience an elder law or disability-related issue, such as homelessness. In 14 of the 17 categories surveyed, Native Americans experience problems at higher rates than non-Native people. Native American Program Legal Aid Services (NAPOLS) represents Native clients in tribal, state, and federal courts, as well as in administrative proceedings, on issues specific to an individual’s Native status. Pro bono attorneys provide assistance to Native clients around the state on a diverse range of matters, including consumer law and fair debt collection issues, family law, landlord/tenant, public benefits, elder law, and estate planning for clients with assets involving federal or tribal jurisdiction. Please contact Fabio Apolito at  Fabio.Apolito@lasoregon.org

ProBonoOregon - A new way to volunteer! ProBonoOregon displays pro bono opportunities referred by legal aid on one easy-to-use web site. No passwords or pre-registration are required to use the site! Just click on the “Interested” link on any case or project described on the site, and legal aid will respond within two business days. ProBonoOregon allows volunteer attorneys to search, share and offer to help with available pro bono cases and projects from around the state. Cases and projects also can be searched based on geography, subject matter or other key factors. Click here to become part of making access to justice a reality for low-income Oregonians!

Statewide Tax ClinicThe Statewide Low Income Taxpayer Clinic provides advice and representation to low income clients who have a tax controversy with the IRS and related cases with the Oregon Department of Revenue.  Cases cover a range of state and federal personal income tax issues. Volunteer opportunities are also available for recent graduates and new members of the Bar. For more information, contact Guillermo Ramos at guillermo.ramos@lasoregon.org.