Dedicated & Creative Advocates
About Us
Equal Justice Law is a non-profit law firm formed for the purpose of serving people who are eligible for court appointed counsel at state expense. We primarily represent people in state post-conviction and habeas appeals. However, the attorneys at EJL have a breadth of experience in all types of appeals, including direct criminal appeals, civil commitment appeals, and mandamus proceedings.
PSLF
As a not-for-profit organization, EJL is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Through this program, EJL employees have the opportunity to get the balance of their student loans forgiven. For more Information: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Latest News
Bertrand v. Brown Remanded for Reconsideration
On May 7, 2024, the Court of Appeals granted a joint motion to vacate the judgment and remand for reconsideration in Bertrand v. Brown, case number A180757. Petitioner argued that her trial counsel was ineffective for failing to move for judgment of acquittal on the delivery charge three months before State v. Hubbell, 371 Or 340, 537 P3d 503 (2023) overturned State v. Boyd, 92 Or App 51, 756 P2d 1276 (1988), rev den, 307 Or 77 (1998) and changed the law of delivery so that petitioner’s actions no longer constitute a crime. At the time of petitioner’s criminal trial, though it occurred before Hubbell was decided, multiple Court of Appeals opinions suggested that Boyd was on shaky ground. This case indicates there are some circumstances where a trial counsel exercising reasonable professional skill and judgment must anticipate changes in the law and preserve issues for appeal. Corbin Brooks was Bertrand’s post-conviction appellate counsel.
EJL Attorney Argues Case at Oregon Supreme Court
Senior Associate Attorney Jedediah Peterson argued a case before the Oregon Supreme Court that addressed the authority of a trial court to allow credit for time served. The question in State ex rel. Torres-Lopez v. Fahrion (S071194) is whether a trial court can order credit for time served on a sentence when the adult in custody has already received credit for that time on another sentence. Oral argument was held on February 27, 2025.
Gwynne v. Myers
On July 6, 2023, the Oregon Court of Appeals held, for the first time, that a post-conviction case is not moot even when the entire sentence has been served because the petitioner must first win their case before, they can sue their criminal defense attorney for malpractice. Gwynne v. Myers, 331 Or App 561, 563 n 1, 546 P3d 918, rev den, 372 Or 763 (2024). The state recognized the significance of this win and asked the Oregon Supreme Court to allow review and reverse. Fortunately, the Oregon Supreme Court denied review so this case is now controlling throughout Oregon. Jason Weber, was Gwynne’s post-conviction appellate counsel.