““Inactive” means that the licensee holder may not practice law within Oregon pursuant to ORS 9.160 or ORS 9.241(3).”
License holders no longer engaging in the practice of law in Oregon can transfer to inactive status by completing and submitting an online application. They may request a future effective date within 30 days of the application, but the date must be prior to January 31 to receive the reduced fee. The form allows them to report which active licensee of the bar will retain their active client files after their transfer. This is for informational purposes as we receive frequent phone calls from clients looking for files.
There is a $150 annual inactive license fee. Applicants for inactive status who have already paid fees for the current year are not required to pay the inactive fee until the following year. Between December 1 and January 31, the inactive fee must be paid to complete your status change. For Active lawyers, transfer requests submitted after January 31, require full active annual fees to be paid before the request is processed.
Inactive licensees have no MCLE, IOLTA, or PLF obligations. They should contact the Professional Liability Fund accounting department at 503.924.1771 or remind@osbplf.org to notify the PLF of the transfer and complete any required exemptions forms.
Inactive license holders will continue to receive the Bar Bulletin and years spent in inactive status count toward the 50 year lawyer recognition event. Inactive licensees do not receive access to Decisis or Bar Books. They may subscribe to Fastcase for a fee by completing and returning the Inactive/Retired Decisis Subscription or contacting the bar’s accounting department at extension 305.
Inactive licensees are eligible for reinstatement. Please see our Reinstatement FAQs for more information regarding the process and the necessary forms.
Please email regsvcs@osbar.org if you have additional questions regarding status changes.