INSTRUCTIONS: Please print clearly or type. Please electronically sign and date your application. Your application will not be processed if you do not fill out your application completely, or fail to sign or date it. Do not include any other documents with this application – any documents you send to us will not be returned. We process most applications within two-three (2-3) business days. If you provide an e-mail address, please check your e-mail account for your referral or questions we may have about your application.
PLEASE READ BEFORE COMPLETING APPLICATION: Oregon lawyers created the Modest Means Program to help moderate-income Oregonians find affordable legal assistance. The program is intended to help those who earn too much to qualify for legal aid, but who cannot afford traditional legal fees.
Types of Matters: Modest Means lawyers only handle certain kinds of family law, criminal defense, landlord/tenant and foreclosure and eviction matters. If the specific area of law with which you need help is not listed on the application, then it is not part of the program.
To Apply: Before you can be referred to a Modest Means lawyer you must apply and be pre-qualified. To apply, you must complete the application either online or in paper form. The paper version can be downloaded and printed from www.oregonstatebar.org. Please do not forget to sign and date your application. Your application will not be processed if you do not fill out your application completely, or fail to sign or date it.
Do not include any other documents with your application – any documents you send to us will not be returned. We process most applications within two-three (2-3) business days. If you provide an email address, please check your email account for your referral or for questions that we may have about your application.
Eligibility: Eligibility is based on the type and location of your legal matter, your income and assets, your location, and availability of participating lawyers in your area. It is important to understand there are a limited number of lawyers in the program, and there may not be a Modest Means lawyer in your county. We cannot guarantee that we will have a lawyer for you even if you pre-qualify. In addition, your legal matter must be in Oregon and both parties must live in Oregon to be eligible for the Modest Means Program. If both parties do not live in Oregon you will not be referred to a Modest Means Program lawyer even if your legal matter is in Oregon.
Qualification Process: You will be contacted by email or telephone after your application has been reviewed. If you pre-qualify, we will give you the name and phone number of a lawyer in your area for you to contact. The lawyer to whom we refer you 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 as to whether or not you qualify for the program.
Initial Consultation: If you are referred to a Modest Means lawyer, you will need to call the lawyer to make an appointment for your initial 30-minute consultation. Your consultation will cost no more than $35, payable at the time that you meet with the lawyer. Hiring a Modest Means Program Lawyer: Whether or not you hire the lawyer to represent you after your initial consultation is a decision for both you and the lawyer to make. We cannot guarantee that a lawyer will agree to take your case. All Modest Means lawyers who participate are volunteers and have the right to choose whether or not they will accept your case.
Legal Fees & Costs: Lawyers who are willing to accept Modest Means clients have agreed to charge no more than $60, $80, or $100 per hour for any services they provide beyond the initial $35, 30-minute consultation. Which hourly rate will apply to you depends upon your income and assets. You will be asked to pay a retainer (deposit against fees) up front. The retainer amount will be determined by the lawyer following your initial consultation. 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 charged for any court fees and other direct costs, including phone charges, photocopy expenses, etc.
The Modest Means Program is not a legal aid program and it is not a pro bono (free) program. You must be able to pay $35 for an initial consultation, plus $60/80/100 per hour (as applicable) for any work done beyond the initial consultation. In order to be referred to a Modest Means Program lawyer, your application must demonstrate that you have the ability to pay these fees. If someone will be helping you pay for your legal fees and costs please explain that on your application. If you are unable to pay these fees and costs, you should contact the legal aid office in your county of residence. The Oregon State Bar does not have a referral program for pro bono (free) lawyers. If you have any questions, please contact us at: (503) 684-3763.