Amanda J. Marshall, J.D.

Amanda J Marshall is a partner at Athena Advocacy, LLC representing individuals in, “All the public defense you’ve never heard of.” Specifically, representation of those facing involuntary hospitalization through the civil system in Clackamas County, Oregon. Amanda brings her professionalism and personal passion and unique perspective to client advocacy based on her own experience navigating the mental health treatment system in Oregon and elsewhere.

Amanda is on the board of the Mental Health Association of Portland and a member of the Mental Health Alliance taking on an active role in advocating for and raising the voices of the mentally ill in matters of civil liberties, police accountability, and government policies. As one of the leading attorneys in Oregon in civil commitment representation she is consulted by attorneys and law makers around the state.

Amanda is part of a group of professionals and organizations working to develop practice standards and training requirements for public defenders practicing civil commitment law. She has created and presented CLEs for attorneys, judges and interdisciplinary teams at the local, state and national levels. Amanda is uniquely qualified to speak and educate about issues in this field.  After law school she herself faced a civil commitment hearing that resulted in learning the system from an inside perspective. Her experience of attempting to navigate that confusing and convoluted system spurred her to become an attorney for others facing civil commitment.  Amanda has testified to and is willing to engage in open discussions about the challenges and joys of practicing law with a mental illness and is a fierce advocate for mentally ill clients involved in the legal system.