Member Categories & Dues

OTLA's membership year runs from July 1st of the current year to June 30th of the following year. Renewal notices go out each year beginning in April to remind you of your end-of-year expiration. Dues can be paid online or by check in the mail prior to the June 30th deadline each year. 

For members joining OTLA after the membership year begins July 1, dues are prorated quarterly. From January 1-March 30 dues are an extra 25% for membership for the remainder of the year PLUS the following year. In the final quarter of the membership year, dues will be fully prorated to cover the entirety of the following membership year.

JOIN OTLA HERE

Membership Categories
For attorneys, membership dues are based on years admitted to practice in any state bar. 

Regular Attorney Membership (voting)

New Admittees                    $35/year

1-3 years practicing             $139/year

4-6 years practicing             $265/year

7-9 years practicing             $389/year

10-14 years practicing         $520/year

15+ years practicing            $685/year

Legal Aid attorney               $159/year

To qualify for OTLA membership, you must be an attorney who 1)   A member of the OSB category ACTIVE; 2)   Be committed to protecting the rights of individuals over the interests of corporations, the insurance industry, or governmental entities and advocate on behalf of individuals for principles of fundamental fairness, trial by jury and the civil justice system; 3)   Not, for the most part, represent the interests of the insurance industry, corporations, or governmental entities in personal injury, civil rights, employment, workers’ compensation, or consumer protection cases;. 4)   Not be employed at a law firm that, for the most part, represents the interests of the insurance industry, corporations, or governmental entities in personal injury, civil rights, employment, workers’ compensation, or consumer protection cases; and 5)   Not be a member of the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) or a similar organization comprised primarily of civil defense attorneys.

Legal Aid/Public Interest applications must meet the above criteria and be employed a legal aid program or a non-profit, non-governmental public interest legal program.

Associate Membership (non-voting)

Dues: $265/year.

For attorneys who don't have Oregon bar numbers and who are members of their state's trial lawyer association or AAJ.

Public Agency Membership (non-voting)

Dues: $159/year.

In addition to the above listed requirements for attorney membership, Public Agency members must be working in public or nonprofit agencies in Oregon.

Legal Staff Membership (non-voting)

Dues: $99/year.

For legal assistants, paralegals, legal secretaries and legal researchers. Applicants must be: 1) employed by an active OTLA attorney member; 2)  committed to the principles of fundamental fairness, trial by jury and the civil justice system.

Legal Staff members may be added to the Legal Staff listserv upon request.

Emeritus Membership (non-voting)

Dues: FREE

Applicants must be 1) a former OTLA attorney member who has retired from the practice of law; 2) committed to the principles of fundamental fairness, trial by jury and the civil justice system.

This membership category does include access to OTLA listservs which are reserved for actively practicing attorney members.

Neutral Membership (non-voting)

Dues: $265/year.

For mediators and arbitrators. Applicants must be: 1) a full-time arbitrator, mediator or reference judge in the state of Oregon; 2)  be committed to the principles of fundamental fairness, trial by jury and the civil justice system.

This membership category does include access to OTLA listservs which are reserved for actively practicing attorney members.

Law Student/Law Professor Membership (non-voting)

Dues: FREE

Applicants must be: 1) a law student or law professor in an accredited law school; 2)  committed to the principles of fundamental fairness, trial by jury and the civil justice system.

This membership category does not include access to OTLA listservs which are reserved for actively practicing attorney members.

 

To join OTLA today, click here and fill out your online membership application. You may also print out the membership application here and submit it by mail if preferred. 

Questions? Contact Membership Director Kathleen Bergin at (503) 223-5587 ext. 108 or kathleen@oregontriallawyers.org.