Municipal Court Public Defense Attorney RFP

CITY OF TROUTDALE, OREGON
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
MUNICIPAL COURT PUBLIC DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Issued by Troutdale Municipal Court
RFP contact Sarah Skroch, City Recorder court@troutdaleoregon.gov
Mailing address 219 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy., Troutdale, OR 97060
Issue date October 2, 2026
Closing date Open until filled
First review date October 16, 2026 at 5:00pm
A. PURPOSE
The City of Troutdale is seeking proposals from qualified attorneys or law firms to provide
public defense services for financially eligible defendants appearing in Troutdale Municipal
Court. The City's objective is to secure competent, timely, conflict-free, and responsive
representation consistent with applicable law, the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct,
and generally accepted public defense standards.
Troutdale Municipal Court is not a court of record. Court-provided language interpreter
services are currently available when required. The selected attorney must work effectively
with court-provided interpreters and other legally required accommodations.
B. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected attorneys or firms will represent court-appointed defendants in misdemeanor
matters within the jurisdiction of Troutdale Municipal Court. Services will primarily be
performed at the Troutdale Municipal Court in Troutdale, Oregon. The average volume
anticipated is 15 to 20 new misdemeanor cases per month. This estimate is provided for
planning only and is not a guaranteed minimum or maximum. Attorneys will provide the
following services:
* Make, or attempt to make personal contact, with client within 72 hours of being
appointed by the court. "Initial contact letter" is not a substitute for making contact.
* Visit clients that are in-custody at the Multnomah County Jail to discuss cases and
prepare for court appearance.
* Provide coverage for courtroom appearances during a vacation or leave of absence. If
coverage is unavailable, notify the court within 30 days of the absence, or as soon as
practical, to allow the court time to properly schedule the court docket.
* Request discovery from City Prosecutor in a timely manner and review that discovery
with client upon receipt.
1

* Represent clients at all court appearances and hearings, investigate cases and
propose resolutions, file and argue legal motions, draft appropriate legal memoranda
and negotiate and litigate show cause hearings.
* Respond in a timely manner to all telephone calls and emails from clients, as well as
to the City Prosecutor and Court staff.
* Maintain contact with clients and keep them informed of all court appearances and
correspondence in the matter until a disposition is entered in the case.
* Remain available to clients during his or her probation or diversion period for any legal
advice or representation the client may need.
C. SCHEDULE
The Troutdale Municipal Court is in session on the second and fourth Wednesday of every
month for misdemeanor cases starting at 10:00am. Bench or jury trials may be scheduled
on other days of the month. Attorneys are required to attend court sessions with clients on
scheduled court dates until the Attorney's docket is concluded. Attorneys should report by
9:30am to meet with clients and the City Prosecutor prior to the start of the 10:00am docket.
Attorneys are expected to use time between court sessions to discuss pending matters with
the City Prosecutor, meet with clients and prepare necessary documents, such as pleas. It
is the expectation of the City that the Attorney attend their court docket prepared to finalize
pending matters.
D. COMPENSATION
The City's current hourly rate is $100 per hour, compensated at the conclusion of the
representation. The City will consider alternative compensation proposals using a per-case
or hourly rate structure. Proposals should clearly identify:
* The proposed rate or fee structure.
* Services, expenses, or case events billed separately, including trials, expert or
investigator costs, travel, mileage, extraordinary motions or appeals.
* Any assumptions, minimums, caps, escalation provisions, or limits on case volume.
The attorney will not be eligible for City employee benefits, PERS participation, paid leave, or
medical benefits. The City shall not withhold or pay any federal, state, or local income or
payroll tax of any kind on behalf of Attorney.
E. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
* Each attorney providing services must be an active member in good standing of the
Oregon State Bar and legally authorized to practice in Oregon.
* Demonstrated competence in Oregon criminal defense practice, including
misdemeanor proceedings, or comparable experience and training sufficient for the
assignments accepted.
2

* Ability to accept appointments, perform prompt conflict checks, manage the
anticipated caseload, meet court deadlines, and attend scheduled Municipal Court
sessions.
* Professional liability coverage through the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund
or other coverage applicable to the attorney's practice, maintained throughout the
term of service.
* No current conflict, suspension, restriction, or disciplinary condition that would
materially impair performance of the services. Proposers must disclose any matter
reasonably relevant to the City's evaluation of responsibility.
F. INSTRUCTIONS
A proposal should include the following:
1. Letter of Interest: Identify the attorney or firm, primary contact, office location, and
reasons for interest. Please also include any compensation proposals as outlined in
Section D above.
2. Qualifications and experience: Describe relevant criminal defense and trial
experience, years of practice, and the attorneys who would perform the work. Include
a copy of the Oregon State Bar license and a "Certificate of Good Standing" or other
similar document evidence that the professional's license is not presently suspended
or revoked.
3. Caseload management: Describe current public defense or other obligations and
how the proposer will maintain sufficient capacity and quality.
4. References: Provide contact information for a minimum of two professional
references familiar with the proposer's criminal defense work or comparable legal
services.
5. Disclosures: Identify actual or potential organizational conflicts and any relevant
disciplinary history, pending investigation, or contract termination for cause within the
past five years; if none, state none.
G. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The City shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by a firm in preparing, submitting, or
presenting its response to this RFP. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals
and to waive minor irregularities in any proposal. The City reserves the right to request
clarification of information submitted and to request additional information from any
proposer.
H. QUESTIONS AND SUBMISSIONS
Questions and proposals are to be directed to the contact person shown at the top of page
1 of this document. Proposals may submitted via mail or email. Proposals must be
received by 5pm on October 16, 2026 in order to be considered in the first review.
Additional review dates may be added if needed.
3