About the Law School

Our Mission

Lewis & Clark Law School educates exceptional lawyers, drives legal innovation, and trains advocates for a better world. 

Our Vision

Lewis & Clark Law School will be nationally known for academic excellence and graduates who are equipped to lead. We will foster a vibrant, intellectual community that supports deep learning; productive communication across differences; and the resilience necessary to thrive. We will be recognized for adept problem solving and the ingenuity to effect change. We will be the law school of choice for aspiring lawyers seeking rigorous training, real-world experience, and a clear path to meaningful careers. Our graduates will be skilled, profession-ready leaders, innovators, and advocates.

Our Values

We pursue excellence in legal education through a rigorous, innovative, and practical curriculum that develops leadership potential and professional skills. We are student-centered, celebrating students’ accomplishments and engaging them as partners in institutional governance. We are a collegial, supportive, and inclusive community that values respectful communication among people of varied backgrounds, thoughts, identities, and traditions. We are justice- and public-service-oriented, advancing the legal profession through scholarship and engagement with local, regional, and international communities. 

Our Educational Objectives

Students graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School will learn doctrine, theory, values, professionalism, and practice skills that equip them to participate effectively and constructively in a dynamic legal profession.

To meet this objective, students have the opportunity to

• Achieve competency in a broad spectrum of doctrinal areas;
• Participate in the development of their individual interests and passions;
• Achieve proficiency in legal analysis and communication, including modern research skills and tools;

• Practice lawyering skills through clinics, skills-focused courses, and externships and other field placements; and

• Develop a professional identity and independent professional judgment, including an ethical and moral character.

Our Learning Outcomes

1. Graduating students understand and can apply foundational doctrinal and procedural law.
2. Graduating students are proficient in the following competencies:
   • Problem-solving skills, including critical thinking, analytical thinking, and evaluating legal rules and policies in our society;
   • Legal research, including using modern research tools and technology; and
   • Effective communication of analysis and ideas to a variety of audiences, both orally and in writing.
3. Graduating students have begun cultivating their professional identities and employing reflective practices.
4. Graduating students have begun developing cross-cultural competence and understanding their role in promoting a fair and equitable legal system.
5. Graduating students are able to render independent and informed judgments, understanding the professional and ethical responsibilities lawyers have to all stakeholders of the legal system.

Our Programs

We offer top specialty programs in several areas with the JD degree, through both part-time and full-time course loads. Certificates are available in the following areas:

• Animal law
• Business and commercial law
• Criminal law
• Environmental and natural resources law
• Energy, innovation, and sustainability law
• Federal taxation law
• International law
• Intellectual property law
• Litigation & Advocacy Skills
• Public interest law

We also offer graduate and joint degree programs:

• Joint JD/MBA degree with Portland State University
• Joint JD/LLM degree in Environmental Law
• LLM degree in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law - Online and On Campus
• Master of Studies (MSL) degree in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law - Online and On Campus
• LLM degree in Animal Law - Online and On Campus
• Master of studies in Animal Law (MSL) - Online and On Campus

Nondiscrimination Hiring Policy:

The Law School values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply for faculty and staff positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation.