A Pacific Northwest family law and estate planning firm has trained an Astoria legal assistant to become one of Oregon’s first licensed paralegals, launching a new program backed by the Oregon State Bar.

The licenses are for designated work in housing and family law, where up to 84% of Oregonians arrive in court with no legal assistance.

Jody Stahancyk, of Stahancyk, Kent & Hook, who serves on the Clatsop Community College Board, said the bar contacted her several years ago and asked if she could help with a program that could increase accessibility for people who could not afford a lawyer.

A 2019 Portland State University study surveyed low-income Oregonians’ access to legal aid in civil cases and found that Oregon was meeting only about 16% of the need for low-income civil aid services.

Between 2018 and 2022, the program, initially proposed by a Futures Task Force, was the subject of public comment and extensive input by the courts, bar members and the public. The Oregon Supreme Court approved the program in July 2022.

After rigorous curriculum and testing, nine of Stahancyk, Kent & Hook’s legal assistants were confirmed as licensed paralegals by the Supreme Court.

Among them is Conner Price, who hopes to bring accessible and affordable legal assistance to Clatsop County by providing lower-cost and streamlined family law services.

“I am hopeful that this additional resource will further increase access to justice for our community,” said Julie Vredeveld, the county’s trial court administrator.

Price aims to assist clients with dissolutions, separations, custody, child and spousal support and most landlord-tenant cases. He can also attend mediation with clients, and intends to become a mediator himself.

“In the very near future, I’m going to be a mediator for anyone who prefers to try and handle their settlement negotiations out of court and outside the scope of traditional lawyers,” Price said.

“A huge demographic is people like teachers, nurses, firefighters, police — that don’t necessarily have the huge estates that one might find in places like Portland. This is for the people. I’m excited to start representing the people of Clatsop County and allow them the accessibility to make sure they get the most bang for their buck, so to speak.”

Price said his hours are “whenever he is needed.”

“Nine to 5 isn’t always feasible for everyone all the time. Sometimes people’s set work schedules are 9 to 5,” he said. “So if I’m out of the office right at 5, then I’m cutting out those other people that may need assistance.

“Ultimately, I can’t wait to start educating and providing knowledge to the people that may not necessarily have further access to it.”