New Leadership for Career Services

Lewis & Clark Law School is welcoming two new professionals to its Career Services office this summer: John McKee, Assistant Dean for Career Services, and Deborah Smith Arthur, Director of Career Services.

Assistant Dean John McKee has 15+ years in law school career services experience. Previously he served as Assistant Dean of Career & Professional Development at California Western School of Law, Director for Government and Public Interest and Director for Graduate Success at the University of Colorado Law School, and as Career Counselor and Career Coordinator for the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. John began his legal career in private criminal defense and managed attorney recruitment and professional development at Holland & Hart LLP, bringing both law school and legal employer perspectives to his work serving law students.

“I am looking forward to working with Lewis & Clark law students to help them achieve their professional goals through individualized career counseling, professional development, and meaningful connections with the legal community,” said McKee. “I joined Lewis & Clark Law School because of the school’s nationally recognized programs in environmental and animal law, and its commitment to preparing lawyers who make a positive impact through their work.”

John is a Colorado-licensed attorney, and earned his JD and Certificate of Studies in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, a Master of Environmental Management degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University, and a BA in Government/International Studies and English from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to becoming a lawyer, John had successful career stints as a Disney show performer, park ranger and environmental educator, vegan food small business owner and high school English teacher. John enjoys hiking, vegan cooking and baking, and exploring outdoor adventures with his wife Kelly, son David, and his dogs Ziggy and Zeena.

Deb Arthur, Director of Career Services, is passionate about helping students thrive academically and professionally and brings her experience in developing community partnerships and leading community engaged learning experiences, as well as being a practicing attorney in criminal defense and juvenile law.

“I am deeply committed to empowering others,” said Deb Arthur, “by providing the guidance, support, and opportunities they need to achieve their highest goals and aspirations. I am looking forward to working with Lewis & Clark law students.”

After earning her JD at the University of Connecticut School of Law, she joined the Juvenile Rights Project (now Youth, Rights and Justice), and practiced juvenile law and criminal defense in Portland for a decade.

She then transferred into higher education at Portland State University, teaching interdisciplinary general education courses in the areas of criminal and juvenile justice. She is the founder of PSU’s Higher Education in Prison Program, which brings the only bachelor’s degree pathway to incarcerated women in the state. She also organized and developed the Oregon Coalition of Higher Education in Prison (OCHEP). She has won numerous state, regional and national awards for this work, and, more importantly, she has been able to celebrate several graduates who started in her first class at Coffee Creek. Deb is passionate about helping students thrive academically and professionally.

Deb Arthur is originally from Connecticut, where she grew up ice skating on ponds in winter and swimming, reading and chasing fireflies in summer. She completed her undergraduate education at Trinity College in Hartford, earned her master’s degree in Black Studies at The Ohio State University, and her JD at the University of Connecticut School of Law.