Lawyers in Portland, OR

Finding a lawyer in Portland

Portland sits mostly in Multnomah County, where the Multnomah County Circuit Court hears the great majority of civil and criminal cases filed by city residents. As Oregon's largest city, Portland has a federal immigration court as well, so immigration cases from across the wider Pacific Northwest are often heard here.

Portland's legal market covers the full range of practice areas found in a major West Coast city, with particular depth in real estate and land-use matters given Oregon's statewide planning system, and in personal injury cases tied to the city's high rate of bicycle and pedestrian commuting.

This page lists Portland law firms by practice area. Open a listing to see where the firm is based and what it handles, then contact the office directly.

Practice areas people search for in Portland

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — crash, bicycle and pedestrian injury claims in Multnomah County Circuit Court, usually on a contingency fee.
• Family & Divorce — dissolution, custody and parenting time, child and spousal support.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — misdemeanor and felony defense, including DUII (Oregon's term for drunk driving) and its diversion process.
• Immigration — visas, family petitions and removal defense, with hearings before Portland's federal immigration court.
• Real Estate — purchases, landlord-tenant disputes and land-use questions under Oregon's planning rules.
• Employment — wage, discrimination and termination claims.
• Workers' Compensation — job-injury claims under Oregon's workers' compensation system.

How to choose a lawyer in Portland

Confirm the attorney's status through the Oregon State Bar's online member directory, which shows whether they are an active member and lists any public discipline. Only active members may practice law in Oregon.

Ask how often the firm handles cases like yours specifically in Multnomah County courts, and who at the firm will work on your file. Settle the fee arrangement before you sign — contingency fees for most injury claims, hourly or flat fee for family and business matters — and get the agreement in writing.

Free and low-cost help

OregonLawHelp.org can direct Portland residents to the Legal Aid Services of Oregon office serving Multnomah County, and the Oregon State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service sets up a low-cost initial consultation with a private attorney. Law school clinics at Lewis & Clark, based in Portland, handle certain case types with supervised students, and Multnomah County Circuit Court offers self-help resources for people representing themselves.

For a closer look, see family lawyers in Portland and personal injury lawyers in Portland.

See also Lawyers in Oregon for the rest of the state.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Oregon attorney about your situation.