Programs to Help you Find the Right Lawyer

The Oregon State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service ("LRS") has a variety of programs to assist the public in finding the right lawyer. The LRS does not employ lawyers, answer legal questions, or give legal advice. LRS maintains lists of lawyers according to areas of law and geographic area and makes referrals on a rotating basis among lawyers on the list. LRS does not direct, oversee or warrant the legal advice or representation provided by lawyers who accept referrals. We can, however, find an attorney based on your geographic area, area of law, language, and other specific needs you may have. LRS lawyers are in good standing with the bar, have no current disciplinary proceedings pending, carry malpractice insurance, and agree to abide by our customer service standards. For more information on our programs, please see the descriptions below.

Lawyer Referral Service

While we cannot provide any legal advice or answer any legal questions, we can refer you to a lawyer who may be able to assist you with your legal matter. When you call us for a referral we will ask you for your name, phone number, email address, preferred location, and a brief description of your legal problem. We will then provide you with the name and telephone number of a lawyer who may be able to help you with your legal matter and who is close to you or the location where assistance is needed. We can also send a confirmation to your email address so that you have the lawyer's contact information for future reference. You will need to contact the lawyer within two business days in order make an appointment for an initial consultation about your legal issues.

You are entitled to an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a maximum fee of $35. Any additional fees must be arranged between you and the lawyer. We do not set a limit on the fees attorneys charge beyond the initial consultation.

Please note that all of our lawyers do charge for their services. The Lawyer Referral Service does not have any free or pro bono lawyers.

If you are unsure whether you need to speak with a lawyer, you may still want to call the Lawyer Referral Service. We can help you figure out what kind of assistance you may need and give you more information about other Oregon State Bar, government, and community service programs that may be able to assist you.

Modest Means Program

Oregon lawyers created the Modest Means Program to help moderate-income Oregonians find affordable legal assistance. Eligibility for the program is based upon type of legal matter, applicant income and assets, and availability of participating lawyers. If you qualify for the program, the Modest Means lawyer will charge you a reduced rate for any additional legal work provided to you beyond the initial consultation.

The Modest Means Program is only available for family law, criminal defense, foreclosure, and landlord/tenant matters at the trial court level (appeals are not covered by the program). Please note that there are a limited number of lawyers participating in the Modest Means Program, and there may not be a Modest Means lawyer in your area.

To apply, complete the Modest Means Application and mail it to the address printed on the application, fax it to (503) 431-6444 or scan and email it to legalhelp@oregonstatebar.org. Please be sure to provide a confidential e-mail address and/or telephone number at which we can reach you during the day.

We are ordinarily able to process applications within one business day of receipt, and will contact you after it has been processed in order to let you know whether you qualify for the program. If you do qualify, we will give you the name and phone number of a Modest Means lawyer in your area and let you know what the lawyer's hourly rate will be. We can also send a confirmation to your email address so that you have the lawyer's contact information for future reference. If you do not qualify for the program we can discuss other options, including referring you to a Lawyer Referral Service lawyer, if you wish.

Once you are given the name and number of a Modest Means lawyer you will need to contact the lawyer within two-three (2-3) business days in order make an appointment for an initial consultation about your legal issues. You are entitled to an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a maximum fee of $35.

If you hire the lawyer you will be asked to pay a retainer (deposit against fees) up front. The amount of the retainer will depend on the lawyer's estimate of how much work will be required to complete your case. You will also be responsible for any court fees and other direct costs, such as long-distance phone charges and photocopying expenses.

Please note that the lawyer will receive a copy of your application and may ask additional questions to confirm your eligibility for the program. The lawyer has the final say in the qualification process.

Please also remember that the Modest Means Program is not a pro bono or free program. You must be able to pay for any services you receive. If you are unable to pay these fees, you should contact the legal aid office in your county of residence.

Military Assistance Panel

The Military Assistance Panel matches deployed servicemembers and their dependents with lawyers willing to provide up to 2 hours of legal advice at no charge. Our lawyer volunteers have been trained to provide legal assistance relating to the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and are also able to help with a wide range of other legal matters.

Problem Solvers

Oregon lawyers volunteer as Problem Solvers to offer free legal information and advice to children. Any young person between the ages of 13 and 17 can call to request a referral to this program. Volunteer attorneys agree to provide a free thirty-minute consultation. There are a limited number of attorneys in the program. Call to find out about availability in your area.