Diversity at Lewis & Clark Law School

Lewis & Clark Law School believes that the lack of ethnic minority attorneys nationwide, as well as in Oregon, demonstrates a need for innovative and comprehensive programs to help ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups in the legal field succeed academically. Read more about the importance of diversity in education.

On this page, you will find information on programs that Lewis & Clark Law School has developed and useful resources to support those who have experienced cultural, economic, or social barriers to education.

Academic Enhancement Program

The Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) is a program intended to provide academic, cultural, and social support to Lewis & Clark law students who may have experienced past barriers to education. While all admitted students are invited to participate, space is limited and thus, priority is given to ethnic minorities, international students, non-traditional students, and those with socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds.

Student Organizations

Lewis & Clark has numerous student organizations. Here are a few that represent the diversity at the law school.

• Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association
• Black Law Student Association
• Christian Legal Society
• J. Reuben Clark Legal Society
• Jewish Legal Society
• Latino Legal Society
• Minority Law Student Association
• Native American Law Student Association
• OUTLAW
• Women's Law Caucus

Scholarship Opportunities

Various scholarship opportunities exist for law students, including those specifically for minorities or under-represented groups. Those that we know of are posted on our Scholarships and Awards web page. There you'll find scholarships provided by outside organizations as well as those specifically for Lewis & Clark law students.

Lewis & Clark Diversity Pipeline Programs

Lewis & Clark Law School's commitment to diversity extends beyond offering programs & scholarships to law students. We also organize two annual events geared toward increasing diversity in the "pipeline" to the legal profession.

Summer Law Camp

Each summer, Lewis & Clark hosts a week-long day camp at the law school for middle school students. Taught by faculty and law students, the program targets students who would be the first in their family to attend college and shows them how they can affect the legal system rather than just be on the receiving end of it. This program is organized by J.B. Kim, Director of the Academic Enhancement Program.

Minority Mock Trial Day

Every February, the Admissions Office organizes a "mock trial" event for local middle and high school students from economically disadvantaged communities. Current law students and alumni join in to volunteer as advisers and judges. The event takes place on a Saturday at the law school campus.

Read about other pipeline programs.

State & National Resources

• ABA Commission on Race and Ethnic Diversity
• ABA Diversity Initiatives
• Affirmative Action Program (Oregon State Bar) including Opportunities for Law in Oregon (OLIO)
• American Indian College Fund
• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
• DiscoverLaw.org
• Hispanic National Bar Association
• LSAC Office of Minority Affairs
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Minority Corporate Counsel Association
• NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• National Association of Women Judges
• National Bar Association
• National Black Law Students Association
• Native American Rights Fund
• North American South Asian Bar Association
• Oregon Women Lawyers Society (OWLS)
• Practicing Attorneys for Law Students
• PreLaw Summer Institute for Native Americans
• Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund
• The JD Project - Prelaw Student of Color Network