Oregon Law Center - Salem, OR

Free Legal Aid for Justice and Equity

The Oregon Law Center (OLC) is a vital non-profit organization located in Salem, Oregon, committed to achieving justice for low-income communities. Founded in 1995, OLC provides high-quality, free civil legal services to individuals who might otherwise be excluded from the legal system due to financial barriers. The Salem Regional Office serves residents of Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties, focusing on cases that affect the fundamental needs of life: housing, food, physical safety, and employment.

Protecting Housing and Livelihoods

One of the primary missions of the Oregon Law Center is to prevent homelessness and ensure economic stability. The attorneys and staff work tirelessly to defend tenants against unlawful evictions, fight for safe habitable housing conditions, and preserve federal housing assistance. If you are struggling with a landlord dispute or unsafe living conditions, OLC provides a critical lifeline.

• Housing Defense: Representation in eviction proceedings and cases involving serious habitability issues.
• Employment Rights: Assisting workers with wage theft claims, unemployment insurance appeals, and workplace safety violations.
• Consumer Protection: Helping individuals fight against predatory lending, scams, and unlawful debt collection practices.

Civil Rights and Public Benefits

Beyond housing, the Oregon Law Center is a champion for civil rights and access to government safety nets. They assist clients in navigating the complex bureaucracy of public benefits, including SNAP (food stamps), Oregon Health Plan, and Social Security. The organization also focuses on the rights of survivors of domestic violence, helping them secure safety and stability (though family law matters are often referred to partner agencies).

Our mission is to achieve justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services.

Located in the historic Oregon Building in downtown Salem, the office is centrally located to serve the community. The staff includes bilingual professionals, ensuring that Spanish-speaking clients receive full support. As a non-profit, OLC does not charge for its services, but eligibility is based on income guidelines. For those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, the Oregon Law Center stands as a beacon of hope and a powerful advocate for equal justice under the law.