The purposes of the Oregon New Lawyers Division (ONLD) are to encourage new lawyers to participate in Bar activities, conduct programs of value to new lawyers and law students, promote public awareness and access to the legal system, and to promote professionalism among new lawyers. Any law student presently attending an ABA accredited law school in Oregon is automatically considered an associate member of the Division without payment of dues. Individual students at other ABA accredited schools shall be associate members upon request.

Every lawyer who has practiced six years or less, or is 36 years old or younger (whichever is later) is automatically a member of the ONLD. No separate dues are collected by the ONLD and no separate sign up is required to join the Division. The ONLD is the only bar division representing over 3,000 lawyers, approximately 25% of the Bar. The ONLD was created in recognition of the special interests of new lawyers that are often different from those of more experienced attorneys. New lawyers are more likely to be concerned with issues of professional advancement, balancing family and career and substantive legal education.

The ONLD has its own bylaws, budget, programs and subcommittees comprised exclusively of ONLD members. The goals of the ONLD are set by its members and acted upon by the ONLD Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is made up of 11 members, 6 regional members (one from each Bar region), 5 at-large members, and is governed by a chair, chair-elect, secretary and treasurer, all of whom are elected from the committee members.