Legal Aid Services of Oregon

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is a statewide nonprofit providing free legal representation and services to low-income Oregonians in civil matters including domestic violence, eviction defense, housing, benefits, and consumer issues. Operating from eight regional offices plus specialized programs for farmworkers, Native Americans, and tax disputes, LASO prioritizes cases with greatest impact on vulnerable populations.

About

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is a statewide legal services organization dedicated to serving low-income Oregonians across a broad range of civil legal matters. Based in Bend with eight regional offices and specialized programs throughout the state, LASO provides direct legal representation, guidance through complex proceedings, self-help information, free legal clinics, and pro bono referrals to individuals and families who cannot afford private counsel.

The organization prioritizes areas of law where legal representation can have the greatest impact on vulnerable populations. LASO's work includes helping survivors of domestic violence achieve safety and secure homes for their children, protecting the rights of people experiencing homelessness and connecting them to essential services, and assisting older adults and people with disabilities in accessing medical assistance and care providers through public programs. The firm also represents laid-off workers seeking wrongfully denied unemployment benefits, helps families struggling with debt and consumer issues, and provides eviction defense through a joint partnership with the Oregon Law Center and the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services. Tenants facing eviction can reach the Eviction Defense Project at 888-585-9638 or evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org.

Beyond its regional offices, LASO operates three specialized statewide programs: a Farmworker Program serving agricultural workers, a Tax Clinic assisting taxpayers with IRS and Department of Revenue disputes, and a Native American Program providing representation in support of tribal communities and tribal courts. The organization also maintains a Pro Bono referral partnership connecting clients with private law firms and attorneys statewide for an array of civil legal matters.

LASO's approach emphasizes client autonomy and strategic solutions to systemic legal problems. The organization surveys low-income clients, community partners, attorneys, and judges to identify the most pressing legal needs in each region, ensuring resources are directed where they can achieve the most meaningful impact. Beyond direct case representation, LASO works with courts, government agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to address underlying systemic issues affecting vulnerable Oregonians.

As a matter of organizational principle, LASO is committed to equity and working to dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy within the legal system and broader community. The organization does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, creed, color, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or gender identity or expression.

Overview compiled from the firm's website