[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "Is%20there%20an%20Oregon%20organization%20for%20unemployment%20lawyers%3F%20If%20not%2C%20how%20could%20someone%20find%20one%20in%20Oregon%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Yes \u2014 there *is* an organization in Oregon that\u2019s relevant to unemployment law attorneys, though not one exclusively focused on \u201cunemployment law.\u201d Here\u2019s what\u2019s available and how you could locate or perhaps help create a more specific one.\n\n---\n\n### \u2705 Existing Relevant Organization\n\n**Oregon State Bar \u2014 Labor & Employment Section**  \nThis seems to be the best-matched group. It is a section of the state bar made up of attorneys who practice labor and employment law. While not exclusive to unemployment law, it is clearly in the right category. If someone practices unemployment law, much of their work (appeals, employer disputes, benefit eligibility, etc.) falls under the labor & employment umbrella.  \nKey points about this section:\n\n- Comprised of lawyers from both sides (plaintiff and defense) and neutrals (e.g. mediators) ([osblabor.osbar.org](https://osblabor.osbar.org/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Offers resources, educational events, legislative updates, networking, and connection opportunities for members ([osblabor.osbar.org](https://osblabor.osbar.org/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Meets regularly and keeps members informed about recent developments in labor/employment law ([osblabor.osbar.org](https://osblabor.osbar.org/message-from-the-chair/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f Is There a Dedicated Unemployment Law Organization?\n\nFrom what I found:\n\n- There is **no organization** solely dedicated to attorneys who practice unemployment law in Oregon (as of late 2026).\n- The Oregon State Bar\u2019s Labor & Employment Section comes closest, as it covers unemployment law among other labor/employment issues.  \n- Non-profits and advocacy groups do work specifically on unemployment law (benefit rights, appeals, etc.), but they are service-oriented rather than professional/legal membership organizations.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd0d How Someone Could Find an Unemployment Lawyer in Oregon\n\nIf the goal is less about joining an org and more about finding attorneys who do unemployment-law work, here are several strategies:\n\n1. **Use the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service**  \n   The OSB provides referrals by area of law and geography. Ask specifically for employment or labor law (which often includes unemployment law cases).  \n\n2. **Contact the Labor & Employment Section of the Oregon State Bar**  \n   Members are likely engaged in relevant work. Through networking or mentorship opportunities within the Section, you could find attorneys focused on unemployment law.  \n\n3. **Non-Profit Legal Aid & Advocacy Organizations**  \n   Some groups help with unemployment-benefits issues and may have staff or volunteer attorneys.  \n   For example: organizations in the **Nonprofit Oregon directory** list \u201cEmployment Law Nonprofit Service Providers\u201d in Oregon. ([directory.nonprofitoregon.org](https://directory.nonprofitoregon.org/service-provider/employment-law?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **County or Local Bar Associations**  \n   Many county (e.g. Multnomah, Washington, Lane, etc.) or local bar associations maintain attorney directories and may list attorneys by specialty.  \n\n5. **Law School Clinics or Legal Services**  \n   Clinics at law schools sometimes handle unemployment benefit appeals and might connect you to attorneys or provide pro bono help.\n\n6. **Labor Unions or Workers\u2019 Rights Advocacy Groups**  \n   These groups often have relationships with attorneys who handle unemployment law and can give recommendations.\n\n---\n\n### \u2b50 How to Form a More Specialized Organization (If One Doesn\u2019t Exist)\n\nIf you're interested in helping build an organization exclusively for unemployment law practitioners in Oregon, here are some foundational steps:\n\n- **Survey practitioners** to assess interest, number of attorneys doing unemployment law.\n- **Form a Steering Committee** drawing from existing labor & employment law groups.\n- **Define purpose and scope**: education, policy advocacy, referrals, support for appeals, etc.\n- **Apply for membership under OSB** as a sub-section, or create an informal group first.\n- **Develop offerings** like regular meetings, legislative updates, case law reviews, sample briefs, and networking.\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can pull up a current list of unemployment-law attorneys in Oregon (city- and region-based), or find pro bono/non-profit groups that frequently take unemployment cases. Do you want me to do that?"
    }
]