Although Tel-Law information is periodically reviewed, it is important for you to realize that changes may occur in this area of law. This information is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem, and it is not intended to replace the work of an attorney.
If you do not have an attorney, the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can help you. Online Lawyer Referral Service information and a fill-in form is available. Or you may contact the service by phone: The number to call from the Portland area is 503-684-3763 or toll-free from anywhere else in Oregon, 1-800-452-7636.
The following information regarding lawyers is brought to you as a public service by the lawyers of the State of Oregon. The material presented is general legal information intended to alert you to possible legal problems and solutions.
What is a lawyer?
A lawyer is a
trained professional who is authorized to explain the law, handle
legal matters and to appear in court on behalf of other people. A
lawyer's work also may involve counseling, preparing documents and
other tasks. Most of all, a lawyer is a representative or advocate
on behalf of a client.
How do you
become a lawyer?
To be admitted
to practice law in Oregon, one must have a college degree and must
have completed at least three years of legal education in an accredited
law school. Your character and moral fitness to practice law must
be approved after a searching investigation. Then he or she must successfully
pass a written examination given by a Board of Bar Examiners and approved
by the Supreme Court of Oregon.
Can non-lawyers
practice law?
Every citizen
has the right to practice law for himself or herself. But before one
can be a lawyer and represent another in court, or make a practice
of giving legal advice, he or she must have met the standards laid
down by the Supreme Court for admission to the Oregon State Bar. These
standards are for the protection of persons who employ lawyers.
There are many different fields of law. Any one set of facts may involve one or more of these fields. While a non-lawyer may have knowledge about one particular field, a non-lawyer will not be familiar with other areas of the law and the procedures likely to be involved. Laws and their interpretations are constantly changing; a non-lawyer cannot know all of the possible legal consequences or hazards. That is why a license to practice law is granted exclusively to trained experts. This is a public safeguard established and enforced by the court.
When do you
need a lawyer?
A lawyer can help
you after you get into trouble, but the best time to consult one
is before, not after, you have a legal problem. Never think of a
lawyer
as a "last resort."
Preventive law is often the most valuable service a lawyer can perform for you and those who depend on you. Here is a check list of events in which you should consider consulting your lawyer before you act:
- Buying or selling a home or other real estate;
- Buying, selling or leasing other property;
- Executing written contracts with major financial provisions or consequences;
- Having tax problems;
- Executing a will or having estate problems;
- Going into business;
- Organizing business associations, such as corporations or partnerships;
- Having an accident involving damage to persons or property;
- Dissolution of marriage, child custody problems, adoptions or other domestic matters; and
- Any matter concerning substantial change in your economic status.
For information about the fees charged by lawyers, check Lawyer's Fees.
This information is from the Oregon State Bar's Tel-law service, a collection of recorded legal information messages prepared by the lawyers of Oregon. In addition to being online, the Tel-law service is accessible by telephone at 503-620-3000 or toll-free in Oregon only, 1-800-452-4776. A touch tone phone allows direct access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To receive a free Tel-law brochure listing the subjects available call 503-620-0222, ext. 0.