Our Nonprofit Affiliate

In 2017, Catalyst launched The Commons Law Center, a nonprofit organization with a mission to revolutionize access to basic legal services, education, and support for underserved Oregonians. In the process, the Commons provides robust practical training for law students and new lawyers. At Catalyst, we are committed to access to justice and innovation in law, which motivates our team to continue to provide volunteer pro bono legal services, in-kind donations, and financial support to the Commons.

A community resource designed to expand access to basic legal services for people, businesses, and nonprofits, the Commons offers affordable legal services on a sliding-scale to income-qualified clients in Oregon. The Commons’ below market rate legal services include Family Law, Business Law, Nonprofit Law, and Estate Planning & Probate.

In 2018, the Commons served 67 modest means clients and delivered more than 2,500 hours of reduced rate legal services. Since 2017, the organization has reached nearly 1,000 people across our programs, welcomed six law student clerks, 4 new lawyer volunteers, and 20 pro bono volunteer lawyer supervisors. Read more by downloading the Commons’ 2018 Annual Report.

Contact the Commons to seek help, offer support, and learn more.