Leadership
Phone: (503) 947-4700 | Fax: (503) 947-4793
Jose Klein, Chief Counsel
Jose is the chief counsel of the Trial Division, which defends the State, its agencies and officials in civil litigation matters. The Trial Division also protects the interests and values of Oregonians from overreach by federal officials and agencies.
After clerking for the Oregon Supreme Court, Jose began his legal career as an honors attorney at Oregon DOJ. He worked in what was then called the Child Advocacy section, and the Trial Division’s Special Litigation Unit. Prior to rejoining DOJ in 2026, he worked in private practice specializing in employment law. Jose earned a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, a master’s from the University of Amsterdam and a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School. From 2002-2004, he served in the United States Peace Corps.
The cases assigned to the Trial Division cover a variety of subjects, including:
- Negligence and other tort claims for money damages
- Breach of contract and commercial actions
- Suits for declaratory and injunctive relief
- Employment litigation
- Lawsuits to obtain the rights to private lands for road improvement projects
- Natural resources and environmental law cases
- Constitutional and other challenges to laws and government programs
- Inmate civil rights litigation
- Collateral challenges to criminal convictions (habeas corpus and post-conviction relief)
Sections of the Trial Division
Civil Litigation Section
The Civil Litigation Section (CLS) is the largest section in Trial and operates as Oregon’s primary civil defense firm. CLS’s mission is to defend the state, state agencies, state employees, judges and prosecutors throughout Oregon. CLS handles torts, civil rights lawsuits, employment and commercial disputes, real estate condemnation, land use, administrative actions, and a variety of other litigation matters. CLS defends Oregon’s values through the defense of its people as they work to make the state a better place.
Corrections Litigation Unit
The Corrections Litigation Unit (CLU) handles civil litigation brought against the state, the Oregon Department of Corrections, and its employees brought by adults in custody at Oregon’s state correctional facilities. CLU attorneys handle a wide variety of civil rights claims in state and federal courts, as well as state tort claims related to medical negligence, personal injury, and other issues. This unit also covers state habeas corpus claims, in which adults in custody challenge either the authority for or the conditions of their confinement.
Criminal and Collateral Remedies Litigation Section
The Criminal and Collateral Remedies Section litigates cases filed by a convicted person seeking a new trial or a re-sentencing from a trial court. This Section seeks to keep children and families safe by upholding the convictions and sentences issued by a jury or judge when a case reaches the state post-conviction and federal habeas corpus stage. This Section also handles cases before the Psychiatric Security Review Board ».
Federal Oversight Unit
The Federal Oversight Unit litigates affirmative cases against federal agencies and officials, often in coordination with other states. These cases are staffed by a small number of attorneys assigned to FOU as well as attorneys assigned to other components of the Trial Division and other DOJ Divisions.
Special Litigation Unit
The lawyers in the Special Litigation Unit (SLU) defend state statutes and policies against constitutional challenges in state and federal courts. They also defend the state in complex litigation, elections litigation, class action lawsuits and environmental litigation.