The Oregon State Bar seeks public comment on proposed amendments to several sets of rules relating to its regulatory work. Amendments are proposed to the: Rules of Licensure, Rules of Procedure, and Rules of Professional Conduct. The amendments address: 1) changes to the Oregon State Bar Act in the 2025 legislature; 2) attorney obligations in working with non-refundable fees; and 3) attorney obligations when working with licensed paralegals in Oregon. Brief explanations and the proposed amendments are here. Comments may be submitted by September 19, 2025 to feedback@osbar.org.
Proposed Amendments: Rules of Licensure
The Board of Governors seeks to propose amendments to the Bar Rules of Licensure. The amendments change terminology from "member" to "licensee" following the passage of SB 166, and also adds additional changes for clarity. The Board of Governors invites public comments on these changes for review prior to submitting them to the Oregon Supreme Court. Comments may be submitted to feedback@osbar.org and should be received by September 19, 2025.
Proposed Amendments: Rules of Procedure
The Board of Governors seeks to propose amendments to the Oregon State Bar Rules of Procedure. The amendments change terminology from "member" to "licensee" following the passage of SB 166, and to implement various changes requested by the Disciplinary Board to improve disciplinary trial procedures. The Board of Governors invites public comments on these changes for review prior to submitting these changes to the Oregon Supreme Court. Comments may be submitted to feedback@osbar.org and should be received by September 19, 2025.
Amendment to Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 and 1.15 (re: non-refundable fees)
The Board of Governors is recommending amendments to RPC 1.5 and RPC 1.15-1 to address concerns regarding nonrefundable fees and prepaid fees. The amendments seek to remove language such as "nonrefundable" and "earned on receipt" that has been misleading to clients, and replace it with language that provides for client protection while continuing to allow prepaid legal fees. The Board of Governors invites public comments on these changes for review prior to submitting these changes to the House of Delegates. Comments may be submitted to feedback@osbar.org and should be received by September 19, 2025.
Amendments to Rules of Professional Conduct: attorney obligations regarding licensed paralegals
The Board of Governors is proposing the following amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct for the 2025 House of Delegates meeting. The following proposed amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct addresses attorney obligations regarding Licensed Paralegals (LPs) in Oregon. The amendments address issues such as fee-sharing, conflicts of interest, and partnership structures, following the adoption of the LP program by the Supreme Court in 2022. The Board of Governors invite public comments on these changes for review prior to submitting these changes to the House of Delegates. Comments may be submitted to feedback@osbar.org and should be received by September 19, 2025.