New Public Defense Practicum Partnership with Metropolitan Public Defender
As Oregon faces a crisis-level shortage of public defenders, the law school is partnering with Metropolitan Public Defenders (MPD).
As Oregon faces a crisis-level shortage of public defenders, the law school is partnering with Metropolitan Public Defenders (MPD) through a one-year pilot project established by the Oregon Legislature and championed by State Senator Floyd Prozanski.
Designed as a Public Defense Practicum, rising second- and third- year students will have a unique opportunity to gain invaluable courtroom and client-facing practical experience while also earning 10–12 academic credits.
Students will work in a cohort of eight to 12 peers under the close supervision of a dedicated attorney at MPD. They will work on actual misdemeanor cases, developing essential legal skills and gaining valuable insights into the public defense system. The supervising attorney will provide instruction and training in client counseling, case assessment, courtroom skills, and negotiations. The practicum also allows students to build professional relationships and receive mentorship from experienced public defenders.
This hands-on experience is designed to prepare students for the challenges of a career in public defense while also supporting the community by contributing to the defense of those in need.
MPD is the largest single provider of trial level public defense services in the state of Oregon, with offices in both Multnomah and Washington counties.
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