Business Resources
Legal & HR
Free & LOW-COST BUSINESS LEGAL SUPPORT
The Oregon State Bar - the fee for a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer referred through OSB LRS will be $50. Oregon Law Help is a statewide website for free, plain language civil legal information and referrals.
The Small Business Legal Clinic - provides business transactional legal services to low-income small and emerging businesses. The SBLC reduces legal barriers for individuals who have been historically disenfranchised, such as people of color, women, and immigrants. Servicios legales en Español
Check out the Office of Small Business webinar playlist focusing on information relevant to small business owners. The topics include legal fundamentals, commercial lease basics, intellectual property, and more.
Rational Unicorn Legal Services - Friendly & affordable legal services in Washington, Oregon, and California, and intellectual property law nationwide. Servicios legales en Español
Registered Agent advice from Rational Unicorn
The Commons Law Center - provides low-cost legal support to income-qualified individuals. In addition to business services, they also provide estate planning and other important legal services. As of 8/31/20, TCLC has received grant funds to provide basic estate planning services to Black people & families in North and NE Portland.
“Basic estate planning can protect families and help dismantle the impacts of racist systems.” Learn more here.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon - offers free bankruptcy clinics for eligible individuals. These clinics provide guidance and support for those considering bankruptcy as an option.
Volat Law - Empowering business owners through accessible legal services including contracts, trademarks, small claims court, and entity formation
Resolution Northwest - non-profit organization offering mediation service between landlord and tenants
The Authors Guild - offers free legal assistance for self-published authors or freelance writers members ($149 annually), including contract review, assistance with copyright questions, and more.
U of O Business Law Clinic - provides free legal services to Oregon businesses and entrepreneurs, including students.
AYC PDX - Personalized Legal Services + Strategic Business Counseling
Multonomah Library Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) - Select library staff members have trained as PTRC representatives to help you use search tools to access patent and trademark information
Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC) - is an innovative clinic serving entrepreneurs and nonprofits throughout the West Coast, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest.
Communities Rise (Washington) - offers monthly legal clinics for nonprofits and small businesses.
employer resources
Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) - resources for all employment-related questions.
BOLI also has Employee Handbook templates available for a reasonable price for you to fill out. We suggest having a lawyer review and finalize your handbook after you fill out the template
The Script Interns - Looking for inters? Through the Script Intern Program, talented people of color and lower-socioeconomic rural youth are given opportunities to grow and a pathway to leadership
WorkSource Oregon - help people find jobs and businesses find talent
Boly:Welch - budget-friendly human resources consulting, tailored for your success
HR Annie Consulting - cost-effective human resource, knowledge, skills, and experience to help businesses move in the right direction
Paid Leave Oregon - a new program that allows employees in Oregon to take paid time off for some of life’s most important moments.
SummerWorks - Paid summer internship program for youth ages 16–24 in the Portland Metro area. They pay youth and young adults to work for your company.
Get-benefits - employee benefits consulting helping employers navigate corporate healthcare
COMMUNITY & BUSINESS LEGAL RESOURCES
HMC Protección para Negocios - Dirigido a dueños de negocios y familias inmigrantes para proteger su negocio, bienes y derechos. Solo con fines informativos — consulte a un abogado para recibir asesoría legal.
ECO (Equity Corps of Oregon) - a collaborative of community-based organizations, nonprofits, and attorneys working to provide universal legal representation to all eligible immigrants in Oregon.
PIRC (Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition) - defending the rights of immigrants in our community through education, rapid response, and legal support.
BOLI (Bureau of Labor and Industries) - protects employment rights, advances employment opportunities, and ensures access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.
NWJP (Northwest Workers' Justice Project) - protects workplace dignity by supporting the efforts of low-wage, immigrant and contingent workers to improve wages and working conditions and to eliminate imbalances in power that lead to inequity.
Sanctuary Promise Hotline (Oregon DOJ) - Oregon’s sanctuary laws promise safety, human rights, and dignity for all.
Language Revitalization Lab: Conoce tus Derechos - Recursos en audio en lenguas originarias de México y Guatemala para escuchar, descargar y compartir: Lenguas Mayas, Nahuas, Chatinas, Traquis, Mixtecas, Zapotecas.
Disclaimer:
Livelihood NW provides these resources for informational purposes only and does not endorse, guarantee, or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or opinions expressed by external sources. Users should independently verify any information before relying on it for business decisions.