Legal Aid Services of Oregon - Salem Regional Office

The Volunteer Lawyer Project began in 1987 to give local attorneys, most in private practice, an opportunity to volunteer their services to legal aid eligible clients. Clients come through MPLAS' regular intake screening process and are referred to attorney volunteers after they are evaluated by the VLP Coordinator.

ELVIS (Emeritus Lawyers Volunteering In Service) is a volunteer lawyer program which gives retired attorneys an opportunity to keep working in the law without sacrificing retirement. To become an ELVIS attorney, you must have at least 15 years membership in a state bar association and be a current member of the Oregon State Bar. You agree to donate a minimum of 40 hours per year to help legal services offices meet the needs of the low-income community in your local area.

There is always a need for attorney volunteers. MPLAS is able to help only a small portion of eligible clients in Marion and Polk counties. Help from the private bar is necessary and appreciated.

Marion-Polk Legal Aid Services is a field office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon.

  • County(s) of Volunteer Opportunity: Marion, Polk
  • Area of law: Consumer, Elder Law, Family & Juvenile, Housing, Public Benefits
  • Populations Served: Elderly, Low Income
  • Opportunities For: Law Students, Lawyers, Mentors, Senior Lawyers
  • Hours for Pro Bono Opportunities: Flexible
  • Malpractice insurance is provided for volunteers: No
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Training Required: No
  • CLE credit for trainings: Yes
  • Training / Supervision Comments: Attorneys who provide at least 40 hours of pro bono service per year qualify for a certificate for a free CLE program or free publications from the Oregon State Bar. MPLAS provides backup expertise in various poverty law issues, which enables new attorneys to gain valuable experience and/or mentoring by more experienced attorneys. Experienced attorneys receive the same help and support if they choose a case in a new area of law. All attorneys also know that the clients they represent have been carefully screened.
  • CLE credit for pro bono: No
  • Mentoring or supervision offered: Yes
  • Volunteer lawyers need to meet a caseload or hours requirement: No
  • Types of projects in need of Pro Bono help: Client counseling (e.g., brief advice), Draft legal documents (e.g., briefs), Litigation: Trial/Direct Representation, Mentor volunteer lawyers or law students
  • Volunteers may participate long-distance: No
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