First-Year Public Interest Law students Paired with Practicing Attorneys

The Public Interest Law Project (PILP) at Lewis & Clark Law School has launched 1LIFE (“1L Initial Foundational Experience”), an innovative program for first-year law students (1Ls) to work alongside experienced public interest attorneys in the Portland area. The program offers hands-on legal experience while fulfilling the pro bono requirements for the PILP Summer Stipend.

PILP, a student-led organization, empowers public interest law students through education, mentorship, and funding. Many students enter law school eager to make a difference but often lack the connections and experience to hit the ground running when beginning their legal careers. 1LIFE bridges this gap by providing early legal experience and professional relationships essential for success.

This program is in addition to the attorney and peer mentors that every law school student is assigned during the first semester of their 1L year.

The key benefit of 1LIFE is the opportunity to connect and build relationships with public interest attorneys. Students will gain access to mentorship, letters of recommendation, references, and even potential job placements. “There is nothing like this—no one else will give you this much support during your first semester of law school,” said West Aron ’25, a PILP board member.

Unlike many 1L programs at other law schools, 1LIFE offers students unique out-of-the-classroom opportunities focusing on practical, real-world experience. Participants work directly with attorneys and clients, building foundational skills and contributing at least 20 hours of pro bono assistance, providing crucial support to clients. Huizhi (Jerry) Yang ’26, a past participant, called it a game-changer: “Once I was accepted, I was immediately placed with an attorney and started gaining hands-on experience.”

Huizhi’s experience confirmed his passion for public interest law, and he now works as a Certified Law Student with Multnomah Public Defenders. “1LIFE gave me a well-rounded perspective on public interest law,” he shared. “It’s essential for anyone pursuing this field to have this kind of experience.”

The program balances high-value opportunities with realistic expectations. “There’s no expectation that you know everything—you’re invited to participate based on the fact that you are a law school student,” said Aron.

1LIFE offers first-year students a rare chance to explore public interest law, build connections, and gain confidence in their career path—making it an invaluable step toward a meaningful legal career.