Our Programs

Client Qualifications

Student Business and Patent Intern Program

The SBLC Student Business and Patent Intern Program is the heart of the Clinic. Here, in a win-win scenario, upper-division law students gain a hands-on practical education on how to use the law to solve actual business problems. Clients who would not otherwise be able to afford legal support receive solid legal advice to help them realize their business dreams. Student interns are supervised by the clinic’s law professors. The program is open year-round but clients may have to wait until the start of a new semester before receiving assistance. Interns usually take on two clients and work on up to two projects per client. Clients can only be served through this program once per year. Clients pay a sliding scale administrative fee.

In the Patent Intern program, entrepreneurial inventors receive assistance with provisional patents, non-provisional patents and patent office actions. Services are offered for a flat fee on a sliding scale.

Volunteer Attorney Program

The Volunteer Attorney Program matches clients with local volunteer attorneys, according to the attorney’s area of expertise. There is currently a waitlist to meet with an attorney. Clients pay an administrative fee to the SBLC.

Staff Attorney Program

Staff attorneys, working for the SBLC, help clients with specialized projects where timing is an issue. They provide legal assistance for housing cooperatives, nonprofit organizations and for-profit small business clients across Oregon. The program is year-round and clients may obtain an appointment within weeks of completing the intake process. Clients pay an hourly rate.