Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in the ACLU of Oregon.
The ACLU of Oregon legal program engages in a specific type of court work, what we call “impact litigation.” Impact litigation refers to lawsuits that provide the opportunity to make legal change that defends or advances the rights of many people. It does not typically include private disputes between private individuals. We are also not a general legal service provider. In short, we file lawsuits that we hope will change Oregon’s legal systems to be more just, equitable, and caring.
This means we turn away a lot of people who may have had their rights violated, have experienced injustice, and/or may have a valid legal case. This is especially challenging when we know that someone has experienced harm or wrongdoing. However, we know that we must remain focused on our unique role in the larger justice ecosystem. This is why the ACLU of Oregon keeps its focus narrow and invests in community partnerships. For example, the ACLU of Oregon collaborates with the CLEAR Clinic to provide advocacy tools and resources to people in Oregon’s jails or prisons who are being systematically harmed by the government. You can read more about that partnership here.
To submit a request for help with a violation of your civil or constitutional rights in Oregon, you can use our online Legal Help Form or send mail to our P.O. box at the address listed below. Due to limited staff capacity, we are unable to individually respond to most requests submitted online or in the mail.
If you are facing an upcoming court date or similar deadline, you should continue to seek legal assistance even if you submit a request to the ACLU of Oregon. Missing a deadline could make it hard to fight for your rights.The Oregon State Bar provides attorney referrals and has programs for those with limited ability to pay for legal advice. You can learn more about those programs here.
If you wish to contact us via postal mail:
ACLU of Oregon
PO Box 40585
Portland, OR 97240-0585
If you wish to contact us via phone — for fundraising, membership and donor inquiries ONLY:
(503) 227-3186
(888) 567-2258 Toll-Free*