The largest nonprofit provider of public defense services in Marion County this week sued the Oregon Public Defense Commission over a new two-year state contract for public defenders , arguing the agreement imposes quotas on lawyers that make it difficult to do their job .

The Public Defender of Marion County sued the commission in Marion County Circuit Court.

The commission declined to respond to questions about the contract, citing the litigation.

The commission manages Oregon’s public defense system, which has failed to provide lawyers for every criminal defendant eligible for one. As of Wednesday, a dashboard maintained by the Oregon Judicial Department showed an estimated 3,300 defendants lack an attorney.

The commission has seen leadership turnover; earlier this year, Gov.

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