Student Interview: NCVLI intern Tara Moore ‘10

NCVLI talks to Tara Moore, our newest law student intern, about coming to Lewis & Clark from the North Carolina coast, her interest in crime victims’ rights, and what she’s been working on for NCVLI.

CM: Tara, where are you originally from?

TM: I’m from Topsail Island, North Carolina.

CM: Where did you do your undergraduate work?

TM: At Campbell University, in Buies Creek, North Carolina.

CM: When did you know you wanted to be an attorney?

TM: I’ve known since I was 12 years old. I have a family friend who is an attorney and growing up I got to help out at their law firm.

CM: What brought you to Lewis & Clark Law School?

TM: I got a brochure in the mail and thought it sounded interesting. I had never been to Oregon, and I wanted to see a new part of the country. I did some research and Portland seemed interesting, so I decided to apply.

CM: What areas of law are you most interested in?

TM: Well, I came here for environmental law, but my interests have shifted to constitutional and criminal law. Crime victim law combines both these interests, so working with NCVLI is a perfect fit.

CM: How did you first get involved with the NCVLI?

TM: I wanted to take a clinic class, so I signed up last fall for the Crime Victim Litigation Clinic. I really enjoyed the clinic class, especially the chance to practice real world writing skills.

CM: What would you consider to be your most interesting project as an intern so far?

TM: My most interesting project has been working on a recent case in California on the right of a victim to have prompt return of her property. In that case, the victim was seeking return of her stolen property but California law seemed to give the pawnbroker who had received the stolen property priority rights. I worked with NCVLI to help its California Clinic, California Voice for Crime Victims, move the court for prompt return of property. I wrote a memo on the issues and provided assistance on the brief for the California attorney and we actually won this case.

CM: What are you plans and hopes for the future?

TM: I’d like to stay in Portland and work at a nonprofit, preferably one where I can work on victims’ rights. The new Oregon Crime Victims Law Center would be a very cool place to work.