Nike, Inc. has partnered with the Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC), creating a program that pairs Nike attorneys with SBLC student interns, offering law students a unique opportunity to work directly alongside practicing corporate counsel on live client matters. Nike attorneys work with clinic student interns as the interns advise their SBLC clients on issues such as entity formation, contract drafting, trademark registration, commercial leasing, and compliance.
The collaboration gives students an inside look at how seasoned in-house counsel approach business challenges and manage risk, while clients benefit from additional depth and perspective for their legal needs. For many of the entrepreneurs served by the SBLC, particularly women-owned, minority-owned, and first-generation businesses, this support can make the difference between launching an idea and sustaining a thriving enterprise.
According to Professor Susan Felstiner who directs the Small Business Legal Clinic, “The Nike Mentor Partnership at the Small Business Legal Clinic has been a win-win. The program gives students the opportunity to build their legal community, learn about the work of in-house counsel, talk through the projects they are working on for their clients, and get advice on career plans. The Nike mentors seem to have enjoyed stepping out of their day-to-day roles and mentoring students.”
A Mentorship Pipeline for Future Practitioners
For Nike’s legal department, the collaboration builds on its long-standing culture of mentorship and public service. Participating attorneys volunteer their time to co-counsel with students, providing feedback on client communication, document drafting, and strategic analysis.
Caitlin Bellum, Nike’s Senior Assistant General Counsel for Asia Pacific & Latin America, commented on her experience. “Mentoring through Lewis & Clark’s Small Business Legal Clinic has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, giving students the confidence and skills to serve actual clients. Watching future attorneys grow while helping small businesses thrive is a powerful reminder of the impact legal education can have on our community.”
Student interns echo that the experience offers a rare window into the intersection between community service and corporate practice.
Violet McAfee ’26, a clinic intern, explained the value of the experience from a student perspective. “Working with my Nike mentor gave me a valuable perspective on how to approach balancing multiple matters. It also offered a glimpse into the role of an in-house attorney at a large company and emphasized how, even as the scale of operations increases, many of the legal issues that attorneys grapple with do not change.”
Strengthening Community Connections
The SBLC, founded in 2006, serves hundreds of small businesses each year, many of whom would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance. By pairing private-sector attorneys with student interns, the clinic amplifies its capacity to meet demand while providing a living classroom for experiential learning.
The inaugural cohort launched in Fall 2025, with eight Nike attorneys and eight SBLC interns participating. Early feedback from both students and clients has been overwhelmingly positive.
Bahar Tarighi ’26, described her experience as a clinic intern working with Nike attorneys. “Having a dedicated mentor has given me both confidence and direction. Through our conversations about client strategy and career planning, I’ve gained a much clearer understanding of the kind of work I hope to pursue after graduation.”
The initiative is a clear example of how the Center for Business Law and Leadership connects business leaders with students in Lewis & Clark’s business law program. It is a demonstration of the commitment to collaborate with corporate partners to strengthen the economic development of Oregon while training the next generation of business-minded lawyers.
