Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I make an appointment?

2. What should I bring to my first appointment?

3. Can information I tell my attorney be accessed by other Portland State University Departments?

4. Do I have to meet with a legal assistant first?

5. If Student Legal and Mediation Services agrees to take my case, what are my responsibilities?

6. Will I have to miss class or work to deal with my legal problem?

1. How do I make an appointment?

In order to serve our clients effectively and efficiently, we can advise you by appointment only, except in cases of genuine emergency. We cannot give advice over the telephone.

If you have a legal problem call us at 503-725-4556, or come to our office in room M340 of Smith Memorial Student Union to set up an appointment. The receptionist will make an appointment for you with a legal assistant-attorney team which handles your particular type of problem.

2. What should I bring to my first appointment?

Usually, your first appointment will be with a legal assistant, rather than with an attorney. Be sure to bring an ID and all paperwork related to the case with you to the appointment (i.e., summons to court, lease, notice to quit, written communications, work contract, traffic ticket).

3. Can information I tell my attorney be accessed by other Portland State University Departments?

No. We are pleased to provide professional, confidential legal services in accordance with the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct. You should feel free to discuss all aspects of your problem openly and candidly, because information concerning your case will not be released to third parties without your express written authorization.

Under the Rules of Professional Conduct, an attorney is sworn to preserve the confidences of a client. This rule applies equally to all persons who work with the attorney, including the legal assistants and office support staff.

The attorneys at Student Legal and Mediation Serviceswill at all times exercise independent professional judgment in discharging their responsibilities.

4. Do I have to meet with a legal assistant first?

We realize that many clients would like to see only an attorney, rather than a legal assistant, and would prefer to be given advice right away, rather than having to wait. Unfortunately, this is not possible because the office has a small number of attorneys, and all fee-paying undergraduate and graduate students (some 27,000 people) are potential clients of the SLMS. Please be assured that any legal advice you receive, however, will be the advice of a licensed attorney, who will decide how to best address your problem and the extent to which this office can help you.

5. If Student Legal and Mediation Services agrees to take my case, what are my responsibilities?

One of the most important things for you to do, before and after we open your case, is to keep copies of any written communications, either from or to you. You should keep in touch with the office about your case. If new developments arise, call your legal assistant-attorney team. Please be sure to give the legal assistant updated address and telephone information, should you move.

You are strongly encouraged to take notes about any advice or information given to you by an attorney or legal assistant. Often, several different alternatives may be suggested, or complicated procedures discussed, and you should not expect to be able to remember everything without writing it down.

6. Will I have to miss class or work to deal with my legal problem?

Clients sometimes have time conflicts with court or administrative hearings, or other meetings which they must attend. If you have a class or are scheduled to work at such time, you may have to miss the class or job.