Crime Victim Litigation Clinic
Under the supervision of Professor Meg Garvin, the Crime Victim Litigation Clinic (CLVC) offers second and third-year law students the unique opportunity to be on the cutting edge of criminal law and procedure.
The CVLC is based on the idea that meaningful legal change happens at multiple levels simultaneously. Students may work directly with victims in ongoing litigation, help shape precedent through appellate advocacy, or contribute to policy reform efforts addressing systemic challenges in victims’ rights enforcement. Rather than treating litigation and policy as separate fields, the Clinic integrates direct representation, impact litigation, and reform advocacy into a unified practice model focused on advancing privacy, participation, dignity, and access-to-justice rights for crime victims.
Victims’ rights were passed into law several decades ago but are only now being recognized in the media and in law. From #MeToo to the high profile cases against athletes and actors, victims’ voices are starting to resonate. In the CVLC Students will have the chance to work on a variety of casework and policy issues touching on sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, homicide, environmental crimes, trafficking, “revenge porn”, “child pornography”, identity theft/fraud and much more. Over the years CVLC Students have worked on high profile cases including those with defendants Kobe Bryant, Bill Cosby, Jeffrey Epstein, Hope Solo, BP Petroleum, and more.
The majority of the work involves issues of first impression which means students will not merely be finding and interpreting the law but they will help create law. Work varies depending on the Clinic Project on which a student is staffed.
The clients of the clinic include the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), as well as other nongovernmental organizations and at times there may be direct representation of a crime victim.
Find out more about CVLC requirements and opportunities in the course catalog.
Your gift supports the Crime Victim Litigation Clinic, where law students work alongside attorneys on groundbreaking cases and legal policy to advance victims’ rights nationwide. From drafting litigating motions to quash to amicus briefs to shaping legislation, students gain hands-on experience that helps give voice to survivors in high-profile and precedent-setting cases.
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Voices for Justice 2019 Student Volunteers -
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Helene Davis (NCVLI Board President) with students and NCVLI staff -
2011 Spring Class -
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News
Students Help Host National Crime Victim Law Conference
Law students support the National Crime Victim Law Institute in hosting a national conference that focuses on advancing legal strategies for victims throughout the judicial process.
Legal Advice Portal Expands Access to Justice for Victims of Hate & Bias Crimes in Oregon
A new online portal from the NCVLI is providing free legal advice to victims of hate and bias crimes in Oregon, bridging a critical gap in access to justice.
Crime Victim Litigation Clinic Expands Nationwide Impact in 2023
In 2023, the CVLC significantly expanded its scope, operating across seven states and federal jurisdictions. Their efforts extended to various cases and policy initiatives, covering privacy protections, interpreter rights, restorative justice, victim information access, and restitution.
