Rational Unicorn Legal Services – Portland, OR

Law for Everyone

Rational Unicorn Legal Services is a different kind of law firm, founded on the principle that quality legal help should be accessible, inclusive, and transparent. Located in the vibrant Buckman neighborhood of Southeast Portland at 1120 SE Madison Street, the firm serves as a beacon of support for the community’s creators, dreamers, and small business owners. Founded in 2017 by attorney Michael Jonas, Rational Unicorn was created to disrupt the traditional law firm model. Michael saw a gap in the market for affordable legal services for those who didn’t qualify for legal aid but couldn’t afford the high hourly rates of downtown corporate firms. The firm is proudly LGBTQ+ owned and is a Certified B Corporation, meaning it meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

Services for Business and Life

Rational Unicorn specializes in transactional law, meaning they focus on building things up rather than fighting in court. They do not handle litigation, which allows them to keep costs down and focus on prevention and planning. Their primary practice areas include:

• Small Business Law: Assisting entrepreneurs with LLC and corporation formation, drafting operating agreements, and reviewing commercial leases. They act as a dedicated partner for startups and local businesses.
• Nonprofit Law: Guiding organizations through the 501(c)(3) application process, board governance, and compliance, reflecting their deep commitment to the nonprofit sector.
• Intellectual Property: Helping artists, musicians, and businesses protect their brands through Trademark and Copyright registration. They understand the value of creative work and fight to secure it.
• Estate Planning: creating Wills, Trusts, and Advance Directives for individuals and families. They are particularly experienced in serving non-traditional families and the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring their unique needs are met.
• Employment Law: Drafting employee handbooks and employment contracts to help businesses build healthy, compliant workplaces.

Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing

One of the most revolutionary aspects of Rational Unicorn is its billing model. They operate almost exclusively on flat fees, which are published transparently on their website. There are no surprise bills, no retainer fees, and no paying for every phone call or email. This ”Pay-As-You-Go” model makes legal services approachable for everyday Angelenos-or rather, Portlanders. They offer project-based consultations, allowing clients to pay for exactly what they need, whether it’s a one-hour review of a contract or a comprehensive business formation package. If you need to find a lawyer who speaks plain English and genuinely cares about your success, Rational Unicorn is the place. Their team is diverse, approachable, and deeply embedded in the Portland community.

A Community Hub

The firm’s office on SE Madison Street is more than just a place to sign documents; it is a welcoming space that reflects the firm’s values of kindness and inclusivity. They are actively involved in community events, sponsoring local arts and social justice initiatives. Michael Jonas and his team are frequently seen giving seminars at local incubators and community centers. If you urgently need a lawyer to form your business before a launch or to update your will before a trip, their streamlined online booking system makes it easy to get an appointment. Rational Unicorn proves that law doesn’t have to be intimidating or prohibitively expensive.

”We believe in unicorns, and we believe in you. We are here to help you protect what you create and what you love.” – Michael Jonas

With a perfect 5-star rating across multiple platforms, Rational Unicorn Legal Services has earned the trust of Portland’s creative and business communities. They are not just lawyers; they are partners in your journey, dedicated to making the legal system work for everyone, not just the privileged few.