Centers of Excellence

CALS | CDLC | IELP | Legal Clinic | NCVLI | NRLI | PEAC | Small Business Legal Clinic |Street Law Program

What's Going On? Read below for more on the Law School's "Centers of Excellence" that are either part of the school's programs or located on our campus.

Center for Animal Law Studies

The Center for Animal Law Studies is both a think tank and training ground for students interested in the broad spectrum that is Animal Law. For sixteen years, Lewis & Clark has led American law schools in developing this emerging field of scholarship and advocacy. The Center builds on that strength and provides the resources and framework within which scholars and practitioners can continue to grow this legal specialty. Visit the site.

Community Development Law Center

Led by Adjunct Professors Cynthia Cumfer and Nancy Murray, students can earn credit by participating in the Community Development Law Center. Community development lawyers help tax-exempt corporations develop affordable housing, launch community lending programs, and incubate small businesses. They follow an approach to neighborhood revitalization built on collaboration rather than litigation. For more about the program, visit the site.

International Environmental Law Project

Students participate directly in international environmental legal processes by preparing documents and materials for meetings of the parties to international conventions and organizations. Visit the site.

Lewis and Clark Legal Clinic

The legal clinic offers students an opportunity to handle all phases of cases for low income clients with real world problems, while in a supervised and supportive atmosphere. The clinic operates out of its own space in downtown Portland. For more about the program, visit the site.

National Crime Victims Law Institute

The National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) actively promotes balance and fairness in the justice system through crime victim-centered legal advocacy, education, and resource sharing. Visit the site .

Natural Resources Law Institute

The Natural Resources Law Institute (NRLI) provides a focus for legal scholarship and education at Lewis & Clark Law School. NRLI supports work of an annual research fellow, distinguished faculty visitor, and visiting scholars from around the globe, as well as faculty and student research and educational programs. Visit the site.

Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center

Students work on actual environmental cases and administrative issues under the supervision of staff of the Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center. The center represents a broad spectrum of environmental organizations seeking to prevent or reduce polution and protect wildlife and ecosystems. Visit the site.

Small Business Legal Clinic

The Small Business Legal Clinic, which opened Fall 2006, provides long-term benefits to the Portland community by bringing free and sliding scale legal services to small and emerging businesses, especially thsoe owned by low-income women, minorities, and recent immigrants. Law students work under the direction of attorney Maggie Finnerty to represent small and emerging businesses in transactional (not litigation) matters. Visit the site.

Street Law Program

The Street Law Program works with students to teach law to high school students. The program uses a variety of methods including role-play, group discussion, case studies and mock trials to impart an understanding of legal rights, remedies and concepts of justice. For more information on the program, visit the site.