Legal Practicums

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Practicum

Students can choose from an array of prearranged placements in the environmental and natural resources law fields, including placements with federal and state environmental agencies, private firms, and non-governmental organizations all within the Portland metro area.

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Practicum

Farmed Animal Protection Project

The Farmed Animal Protection Project provides an opportunity for all law students (LLM, MSL and JD) to protect farmed animals. There is an in-class component as well as an out-of-class individual project. Students create an individual project in the field of farmed animal protection law as preparation to work as lawyers or advocates for animal nonprofits and NGOs.

Farmed Animal Protection Project

Oregon Records Transparency Practicum

This hands-on practicum, offered in partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting, trains students to represent journalists and community members facing barriers to government transparency under the Oregon Public Records Law (OPRL). Under the guidance of experienced volunteer attorneys and OPB’s legal team, students will gain practical experience in administrative advocacy and public records disputes. Students completing this course will obtain an understanding of the OPRL as a tool for obtaining public documents, engage from start to finish in the OPRL’s unique sub-judicial review, and gain valuable perspective on dispute resolution with state and local governments processes that many lawyers encounter routinely. 

Oregon Records Transparency PracticumInformation for the Public

Public Defense Practicum

Students will work in a cohort of 8-12 Lewis & Clark students with a dedicated supervisor attorney, who will also provide instruction and training on client counseling, case assessment, courtroom skills, and negotiations. Students will work primarily on misdemeanor cases through all stages of representation. Students will have the opportunity to interview and advise clients, investigate cases, draft and argue motions, negotiate case resolutions, participate in trials, and present at sentencing hearings under the supervision and guidance of the supervising attorney.

Public Defense Practicum

Transformative Immigration Law Practicum

Students work alongside an experienced immigration attorney on removal defense cases through the Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO), Oregon’s universal representation program for people facing removal proceedings. Through this hands-on experience, students gain practical immigration law skills while learning how lawyers can shape legal and policy change. Although focused on immigration, the course is relevant to students interested in how law evolves across different practice areas.

Transformative Immigration Law Practicum

Western Resources Legal Center

The Western Resources Legal Center is a 501 (c)(3) educational organization located on campus that provides law students with instruction and opportunities to develop their legal skills and knowledge of natural resources and environmental laws through the legal representation of clients active in natural resource related industries that will lead to an appreciation for the challenges faced by, and importance of, natural resource industries.

Western Resources Legal Center