Employment Opportunities

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services.  OLC operates eleven offices around the state.  It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program. 

OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds. 

POSITION:  Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks two full-time staff attorneys to provide civil legal services to low-income clients, specifically residential eviction defense via our Eviction Defense Project. OLC’s Eviction Defense Project is a partnership with Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Center for Nonprofit Legal Services. We assist clients who are facing eviction from residential housing with the goal of making a real difference in clients’ lives and helping them, whenever possible, to maintain housing stability. 

The staff attorney positions will handle a housing caseload of clients with active eviction cases.

This position funded through a statewide grant provided by Oregon Housing and Community Services. This is a remote position. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Current Oregon State Bar membership.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
• A high degree of initiative and ability to manage a caseload.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and work for solutions within the legal process.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, if needed, to meet the needs of clients. 

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.

PREFERENCES:

• Experience representing tenants in eviction court in Oregon.
• Experience representing low-income clients.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.

SALARY/BENEFITS:  The salary scale ranges from $65,500 to $102,500, and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience as an attorney.  Additional compensation for bilingual ability.  Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.

HOW TO APPLY:  Resumes reviewed on a rolling basis. Open until filled.  To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org. 

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon.  Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups.  It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:

(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,

(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,

(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and

(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? 

Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services.  OLC operates eleven offices around the state.  It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.

OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds.

POSITION:  Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income clients.  The position is based in Ontario, Oregon and primarily serves clients in Baker, Malheur, Grant and Harney counties.  OLC’s Ontario Office comprises two attorneys and one paralegal. Priorities are set according to client need; current priorities are housing, employment, administrative, and family law. We seek to make a real difference in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the barriers that cause poverty or reduce our clients’ ability to escape poverty.

The staff attorney will handle impact litigation and individual cases, with a significant emphasis on impact work in state and federal courts.  The attorney will conduct community education and outreach to clients and community-based groups, which includes irregular hours, frequent daytime travel and occasional overnight travel.  There are also opportunities to promote the interests of low-income individuals in the development and implementation of laws, regulations, policies and practices that directly affect our clients.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Admission to Oregon Bar, reciprocal eligibility for admission, or availability to sit for next exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
• A high degree of initiative and ability to independently manage a caseload.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and work for solutions within the legal process.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Commitment to developing litigation and other advocacy skills.
• Ability to think creatively about how to address our clients’ legal issues.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and cloud-based phone services. 

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.

PREFERENCES:

• Experience representing low-income clients, especially non-English-speaking communities.
• Experience with complex, impact litigation.

SALARY/BENEFITS:  The salary scale ranges from $65,500 to $102,500, and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience as an attorney.  Additional compensation for bilingual ability.  Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.

HOW TO APPLY:  Resume review begins on November 31, 2024. Open until filled.  To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org.  If applicable, please describe your Spanish proficiency level.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon.  Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups.  It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:

(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,

(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,

(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and

(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice?

Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services.  OLC operates eleven offices around the state.  It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.

OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds.

POSITION:  Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income clients.  The position is based in Portland and primarily serves clients in Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Jefferson, Sherman, and Crook counties.  OLC’s Portland Regional Office comprises five attorneys and two paralegals and works in partnership with OLC’s Salem Office. We set priorities according to client need; current priorities are housing, employment, administrative, health, education, consumer, tax, and civil rights. We seek to make a real difference in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the barriers that cause poverty or reduce our clients’ ability to escape poverty.

The staff attorney will handle impact litigation and individual cases, with a significant emphasis on impact work in state and federal courts.  The attorney will conduct community education and outreach to clients and community-based groups, which includes irregular hours, frequent daytime travel and occasional overnight travel.  There are also opportunities to promote the interests of low-income individuals in the development and implementation of laws, regulations, policies and practices that directly affect our clients.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Admission to Oregon Bar, reciprocal eligibility for admission, or availability to sit for next exam.
• A minimum of basic skills in Spanish and a willingness to improve language competency.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
• A high degree of initiative and ability to independently manage a caseload.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and work for solutions within the legal process.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Commitment to developing litigation and other advocacy skills.
• Interest in thinking creatively about how to address our clients’ legal issues.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and cloud-based phone services.

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.

PREFERENCES:

• Experience representing low-income clients, especially non-English-speaking communities.
• Experience with complex, impact litigation.
• Between two and ten years of legal experience. 

SALARY/BENEFITS:  The salary scale ranges from $65,500 to $102,500, and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience as an attorney.  Additional compensation for bilingual ability.  Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.

HOW TO APPLY:  Resume review begins on November 28, 2024. Open until filled.  To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org. 

As part of your cover letter, please describe your Spanish proficiency level and address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon.  Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups.  It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:

(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,

(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,

(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and

(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice?

Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC operates eleven offices around the state. It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.

OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds.

POSITION: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time bilingual Paralegal (in English/Spanish) to support the provision of civil legal services to low-income clients. The position does not require formal paralegal certification or training. The position is based in Hillsboro and primarily serves clients in Washington, Columbia, Clatsop, Tillamook and Yamhill County. The office has two satellite locations in St. Helens and McMinnville.

OLC’s Hillsboro Regional Office comprises thirteen attorneys and six paralegals. We set priorities according to client need. Current priorities include housing, family, public benefits, employment, seniors, and immigrant rights. We seek to make a real difference in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the barriers that cause poverty or reduce our clients’ ability to escape poverty.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• General office support: receptionist duties, including answer phones, receive mail, monitor, and order supplies, manage calendar

• Staff the front desk and greet visitors in a professional and positive manner

• Organize, manage, and maintain office systems and the physical office

• Conduct client intake interviews and maintain detailed and accurate case notes

• Assist attorneys with litigation and other forms of advocacy, including but not limited to: investigation, witness interviews, factual and legal research, document review and other aspects of trial preparation

• Attending legal clinics and conducting outreach and community presentations, including some travel throughout Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.

• Conduct outreach and community presentations and produce educational materials

• Interpret for Spanish-speaking clients and translate documents

• Provide general information and referrals

• Occasional travel throughout the Willamette Valley and northwest Oregon

• Help with other office projects as needed.

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.

• Experience working with underserved populations.

• Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.

• Experience working in collaboration as a member of a team.

• Ability to identify and prioritize workload and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.

• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and cloud-based phone services.

SALARY/BENEFITS: The salary scale ranges from $44,000 to $68,000 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave, and paid moving expenses, among others.

HOW TO APPLY: Resume submission is open until filled. To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:

(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,

(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,

(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and

(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice?

Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services.  OLC operates eleven offices around the state.  It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program. 

OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds. 

OLC’s Woodburn Farmworker office comprises four attorneys (including one supervising attorney) and one paralegal, as part of a larger Farmworker Program. The Farmworker Program sets priorities according to client need; current priorities include employment, occupational safety and health, housing, and civil rights.  Most of our clients speak Spanish or one of the indigenous languages native to Mexico and Central America, such as Mixteco, Triqui, Zapoteco, Mam, and Akateco.  They experience a wide variety of legal problems, including unpaid wages, inadequate housing, unsafe work conditions including excessive heat, hazardous chemicals, violence, and sexual harassment. The most common form of discrimination they face is retaliation for asserting their legal protections.

Position:  Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals on employment and employment-related housing, health and safety, and civil rights, matters.  The position is based in Woodburn, Oregon and serves farmworkers statewide.  Woodburn is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley between Salem and Portland and has a rich history of farmworker movements, from the labor movement, to the development of off-farm community housing, to community health, and more. 

Responsibilities:  The staff attorney will handle all phases of litigation in state and federal courts including intake, investigation, filing complaints, engaging in discovery, making, and defending dispositive motions, alternative dispute resolution, and trial.  There will be a significant emphasis on impact work that affects large numbers of farmworkers, such as class actions. The staff attorney will meet, investigate, and interview farmworkers on assigned cases, sometimes outside of normal business hours, as well as engage in intensive community outreach and education together with OLC’s community educators involving educational presentations to farmworkers and community-based groups.  Attorneys in the Farmworker Program work some irregular hours, with some travel during the daytime and occasionally overnight, and some outreach to clients in the evenings. 

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.

Requirements:

• Admission to Oregon Bar.
• Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
• A high degree of initiative and ability to manage a litigation caseload.
• Commitment to developing litigation and other advocacy skills.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Willingness to work irregular hours to meet the needs of clients.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe, and web-based video conferencing and learning platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and work for solutions within the legal process.

Preferences:

• Experience representing low-income clients, especially farmworkers.
• Experience with complex, impact litigation.

Salary/Benefits:  The salary scale ranges from $65,500 to $102,500 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience.  Additional compensation for bilingual ability.  Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.  

Application:   To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, a description of your Spanish proficiency, and list of three references to Julie Samples, Managing Attorney, Gresham and Woodburn Farmworker Offices, jsamples@oregonlawcenter.org. Resume submission is open until filled.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon.  Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups.  It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:

(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,

(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,

(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and

(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? 

Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.