Criminal Justice Reform Clinic (CJRC) Updates
Expunging Juvenile Records Across Oregon
CJRC Fellow Natalie Hollabaugh ’21, an Equal Justice Works Fellow Attorney sponsored by Intel and Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, worked with YRJ to establish the expansion program. Hollabaugh noted that youth records can impact “schooling, housing, employment, and more. In Oregon especially, youth of color are disproportionately represented in the system.”
Championing Legislation
The clinic partnered with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and the Forensic Justice Project to advocate for Senate Bill 819, passed in June 2021, which establishes a procedure for people convicted of and sentenced for felony offenses to petition their sentencing court for reconsideration of their conviction(s) or sentence(s) if the original sentence no longer advances “the interests of justice.”
CJRC students involved in researching, reporting, and providing testimony included Radhika Shah ’23, Alexis Fisher ’21, Todd Smith ’21, and Bruce Myers ’20. The clinic was involved in a number of bills in the 2021–22 legislative sessions, including Senate Bill 751, “Relating to pretrial discovery”; Senate Bill 817,
“Relating to fees arising out of juvenile delinquency matters”; and Senate Bill 835, “Relating to early medical release from prison; declaring an emergency; providing for criminal sentence reduction that requires approval by a two-thirds majority.”
Seeking Pardons for Black Oregonians
CJRC is seeking to pardon nonexpungeable felonies from community members’ records in its Black Oregonian Pardon Project. The yearlong program identifies and represents people who were released from prison at least 10 years ago, have had no incidents since being released, have a nonexpungeable felony conviction that is holding them back in life, and are “living their best life,” according to Professor Aliza Kaplan, director of CJRC.
Students directly involved include Caroline Shen ’23, Mark Cebert ’22, and Sara Long ’22. Brittany Hill ’19, a former clinic student of CJRC, serves as the staff attorney for the Pardon Project.
Oregon Supreme Court Protects Disability Rights in Jail
In June 2022, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that private medical entities operating in jails must follow state public accommodations laws. The ruling was a major victory for CJRC, which helped advocate for it.
More Clinic Updates
Public Defense Practicum
Students provided comprehensive legal support—under the guidance of their supervisors—for over 250 individuals who had previously been on the unrepresented list.
National Crime Victims Litigation Institute
This year, students at the National Crime Victims Litigation Institute (NCVLI) tackled a wide range of cutting-edge legal issues impacting victims’ rights.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC)
As of summer 2025, the LITC has served 216 Oregonians in a variety of tax-related matters—a significant increase in case volume from prior years.
Green Energy Institute (GEI)
The Green Energy Institute continues to propel forward progress on Oregon’s climate policies despite national pressure to undermine momentum.
Earthrise
Earthrise’s work in 2024–25 spurred habitat improvements for endangered shortnose sturgeon in the Connecticut River.
Western Resources Legal Center (WRLC)
The Western Resources Legal Center (WRLC) offers a litigation practicum to L&C law students with hands-on legal training on behalf of natural resource users.
Farmed Animal Protection Project
The Farmed Animal Protection Project trains JD, LLM, and MSL students to use legal tools to advocate for farmed animals.
Farmed Animal Protection Project
The Farmed Animal Protection Project (FAPP) offers students a two-semester experiential learning opportunity focused on farmed animal protection.
Western Resources Legal Center (WRLC)
The Western Resources Legal Center (WRLC) offers a litigation practicum to L&C law students with hands-on legal training on behalf of natural resource users.
Green Energy Institute (GEI)
Thanks to donor support, the clinic employed several top-notch law clerks to assist us in advocacy efforts.
Crime Victim Litigation Clinic (CVLC)
Throughout the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, Crime Victim Litigation Clinic students engaged in significant legal work nationwide.
Earthrise
This year marked a bittersweet transition for Earthrise, as Earthrise Director and Clinical Professor Allison LaPlante ’02 left the law school after almost 20 years.
More Stories
From the Dean
Speaking with students is one of my favorite parts of being dean. At Lewis & Clark Law School, I’ve discovered a rare and powerful combination: students who pair fierce dedication to their mission with deep collaboration and a genuine commitment to each other’s success.
A Decade of Dedication:
Professor Lydia Pallas Loren’s Work on the Landmark Restatement of Copyright.
Legal Expertise Supports Migratory Species
Professors Chris Wold and Erica Lyman facilitated a workshop with CMS Parties to discuss the legal contours of some of the treaty’s most important provisions.
Beyond the Bar
Most graduates of law school go on to practice law, working in law firms or providing legal counsel to organizations and businesses. Yet, for some, the lessons of law apply more broadly, and the outcome of their law school education has been a surprising and successful career outside of law. Here are just a few of our alums who followed an alternative route.