Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment Update
Improving wildlife legislation in biodiversity hotspots: In Peru, GLA supported efforts to improve legislation targeting organized wildlife crime. GLA worked with partner governments and organizations to support legislative improvements in several West African countries, as well as in Malawi and Angola. Additionally, GLA has worked to draft model bird-protection legislation.
Training prosecutors and judges around the world: GLA led a number of trainings throughout Latin America and Africa on topics such as using mutual legal assistance, fisheries enforcement, and best practices in wildlife prosecutions.
Fighting against development that threatens wild animals and wild places: GLA joined the fight against oil and gas development in the Okavango Delta region of Namibia and Botswana. The GLA team is working with local partners and global organizations to bring as many legal strategies to bear as necessary to protect the unique landscape of the Delta, home to unparalleled wildlife and local communities living in harmony with their surroundings. In one such effort, GLA and partner organizations submitted a securities complaint to Canadian authorities, which has been instrumental in triggering a criminal investigation by Canadian authorities regarding potential fraud by the Canadian company spearheading the drilling.
Bringing transformative change to the law: On January 27, 2022, the Constitutional Court of Ecuador issued a landmark decision which cited an opinion piece authored by GLA titled Re-thinking the Rights of Nature to Encompass New Protections for Wild Animals. (See page 38 for more information.)
Setting horizons in wild animal law: In March, the GLA team participated in a workshop cohosted with Dr. Tanya Wyatt of Northumbria University. GLA professors kicked off the workshop with a presentation that explored how laws define and treat “wildlife” and led a discussion about wild animals as rights holders. Three international LLM candidates shared perspectives from their home countries: Vanessa Gischkow Garbini ’22 in Brazil, Yvonne Gurira ’22 in Zimbabwe, and Marcia Condoy Truyenque ’22 in Peru.
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.