For the first time, attorneys in Oregon have earned their law licenses through the Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination (SPPE), an alternative to the traditional bar exam. Among the first five attorneys who successfully completed the program this year, four are graduates of Lewis & Clark Law School’s class of 2024: Aisha Amiri, Beth Sethi, Haley Sinclair, and Kendra Summers.
The SPPE pathway allows law graduates to qualify for licensure by completing 675 hours of supervised legal practice under a licensed Oregon attorney. Instead of taking the bar exam, participants submit a portfolio of legal work demonstrating their competence, which is assessed by the Oregon Board of Bar Examiners. Successful applicants are admitted to practice law in Oregon.
L&C Graduates Reflect on the SPPE Experience
For Aisha Amiri, the program provided an opportunity to develop hands-on litigation skills while working toward licensure. She chose the SPPE because she wanted to gain real-world experience in trial advocacy, case management, and negotiation. “I wanted to learn how to try actual cases, manage a caseload, and negotiate cases, and I got to do that with the help of my supervising attorney,” she said. “He was there to give me good advice as I tried cases, argued motions, and negotiated with defense attorneys. Through this process, I became a lot more comfortable doing these things on my own, which is what I am doing now as a prosecutor. I really appreciate that the SPPE pathway allowed me to learn practical skills that I will continue to use in my daily practice.”
Balancing bar admission with family responsibilities was a major factor for Kendra Summers, a single mother of two. The SPPE allowed her to work while completing the requirements for licensure, making it a practical alternative to the traditional bar exam. “As a single mom with two kids, I worried about finding time to study for the bar exam after graduation while still paying the bills,” she explained. “The SPPE seemed like the perfect solution—I could work, the hours would go towards earning bar admission, and I would still have time to focus on my children.” Though the program had its challenges as a brand-new pathway, she found it invaluable. “As the inaugural SPPE class, we were the bar’s guinea pigs, and the journey was not without hiccups. Ultimately, the time I spent working as a judicial clerk gave me more valuable and relevant experience than studying for the bar might have, and I am grateful for the program.”
For those entering specialized legal fields, the SPPE offers an opportunity to dive straight into practice. Beth Sethi, who is pursuing a career in immigration law, saw the program as an ideal fit. “I feel so lucky to be part of the first group of law school graduates to have this option,” she said. “I went to law school to be an immigration attorney, and being able to get right to work rather than spend several months studying for the bar feels like a gift.” She noted that the traditional bar exam does not test the core skills needed for immigration law, such as legal research and writing, client counseling, and courtroom advocacy. “I will get to learn those skills hands-on during the time I otherwise would have been studying for the bar.”
By offering a pathway that emphasizes practical training and professional readiness, the SPPE is reshaping legal licensure in Oregon. With four of the first five SPPE attorneys coming from Lewis & Clark, the law school remains at the forefront of expanding access to the legal profession through innovative licensure options.
