A third big WIN for our tenant law clinic!

Two weeks ago I was waiting for my case to be called at the Multnomah County courthouse.

The case before mine was an eviction.

The tenant was a disabled African American woman. She told the Judge that she had looked everywhere and could not find an attorney?to represent her. She had received an eviction notice after complaining about racism in her apartment building.

The landlord asked the Judge to schedule the eviction trial the next day.

I spoke up and told the Judge that if the trial could be postponed one week, I would represent the tenant pro bono.

The Judge agreed, and gave me one week to prepare my defense.

Over the weekend, my pro bono team and I quickly interviewed witnesses, hired an expert, reviewed documents, filed an amended answer, requested an inspection, served discovery requests, set depositions, and demanded a jury trial.

The next week, rather than proceed with trial, the landlord signed an unconditional judgment, dismissing its eviction complaint with prejudice, declaring our client the prevailing party.

Our Pro Bono Tenant Rights Clinic helps low-income, disabled, veterans, and elderly tenants in Portland with housing issues.

Case No. 22LT09468.