Lewis & Clark Law School supports a large number of active student organizations. A number of these organizations, known as affinity groups, focus on the professional goals and needs of specific communities, both on and off campus. These groups are open to all students, and many focus on promoting the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the legal profession. To foster networking opportunities, these groups sponsor speakers, conduct legal workshops, participate in mentorship programs, and partner with organizations at the national and state bar level.
APALSA provides its members with personal, academic, and professional support to aid in the development of its law students. We work with attorneys in the Portland area to provide networking and professional development opportunities for APALSA members. We also hold several events throughout the school year to build a sense of community within APALSA and the rest of the student body.
The Black Law Student Association is a student run club that includes members from diverse backgrounds; BLSA is dynamic and is dedicated to increasing diversity and communication amongst students and legal professionals. Our organization was formed in order to articulate and promote the needs of black law students, while effecting positive change in the legal community. By encouraging students to pursue careers in the judiciary, we hope to adopt and implement policies that will foster economic independence.
The LC Disability Allied Law Students Association’s (LC-DALSA) purpose is to create accessible spaces on campus, provide much needed representation for differently-abled students at LC, and to organize students around disability rights. DALSA is Lewis and Clark’s affinity group for people who identify as differently abled and their allies. The group centers around physical disabilities, mental health, sensory impairments, learning disabilities, communication disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other impairments that may limit or substantially alter major life activities. Our goal is to deploy an intersectional and inclusive approach that is informed by the varied experiences that people with disabilities have based on their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, visibility of disability, religion, immigration status, ability and class. We seek to go beyond a medical diagnosis model and to focus on the different social and professional experiences of individuals with disabilities and how that relates to the study and practice of law. DALSA will work both independently and co-dependently with student groups and the LC Law administration to provide programming to educate the law school community about how disability is experienced by different groups of people and how that experience is codified by the law. DALSA aims to amplify the awareness of and people with disabilities in all areas of the law.
The Jewish Legal Society (JLS) is a cultural, social, educational, and religious organization that reflects the varied interests of the Jewish community at Lewis & Clark Law School. Our organization strives to foster an inclusive coalition between Jewish (and non-Jewish) LC students, faculty, and administration. JLS also hopes to provide students a place for support during school and a network for professional development alongside the greater Portland Jewish community.
The Latinx Law Society is an organization comprised of Latino students and students who support the organization’s goals. The organization promotes: the recruitment and retention of Latino students; unity among the Latino students; and awareness and understanding in the law school and the community of perspectives, culture, heritage and issues concerning Latinos. Additionally, LLS provides a support system for its members. We are an equal opportunity organization, you do not need to be Latino to join just have an interest in Latino issues, culture and heritage
The Minority Law Student Association of Lewis & Clark Law School serves to promote the recruitment and retention of minority students, staff and faculty, to promote unity among all minority students especially students of color, to promote awareness and understanding in the law school and the community of perspectives, culture, and heritage of students of color, and to create a forum to address issues concerning its members
The Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) would like to invite you to our next activity. NALSA is open to all members of the Lewis & Clark Community and looks forward to your participation! NALSA’s goals are to educate the Lewis & Clark Community about legal issues affecting Native American and Alaskan Native communities, promote the study of Federal Indian law, and encourage interaction with local tribes.
OUTLAW provides a forum for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, questioning students and their allies to meet, exchange ideas, share experiences, and bring pertinent legal and political issues of the LGBT community to campus. We are committed to creating a community for diverse voices through political activism and social interaction, and welcome all students to join us.
The Lewis & Clark South Asian Law Students Association (L&C SALSA) provides its members with tools and support to excel academically and professionally. This organization works closely with the South Asian Bar Association of Oregon (SABA OR), primarily to build a strong and well-connected community of South Asian lawyers and students in Oregon.
The purpose of the Women’s Law Caucus is to bring together the community of Lewis & Clark Law students interested in exploring the wide spectrum of legal issues affecting women. The WLC promotes women in the law by providing support and encouragement to students, enhancing ties with the community, and empowering future female leaders who will work toward the advancement of women’s legal rights. All who are interested in advancing women’s legal rights and empowering females are welcome to join, regardless of gender.
Student Representatives
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee includes two student representatives that students are welcome to reach out to. The Student Bar Association also includes a Vice President of Equity & Inclusion that students are invited to contact.
The Oregon State Bar Diversity & Inclusion Department offers financial support, networking opportunities, employment assistance, and mentorship opportunities to students at Oregon’s law schools. To learn more about their programming, visit their website.
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.
The Lewis & Clark Multicultural Resource Guide, known as “The Living List,” contains resources valuable for students, staff, and faculty. This guide is especially useful for traditionally underrepresented members of the Lewis & Clark community. This extensive guide serves as a starting point to familiarize yourself with what is available to you in Portland, Multnomah County, and surrounding areas.
The Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) provides academic, cultural, and social support to Lewis & Clark law students who may have experienced past barriers to education.
State & National Resources
There are a number of organizations that provide advice, support, community, and financial resources to law students. For a non-inclusive list of these organizations, see below.