Clinic Projects
While students will generally have the chance to choose the project(s) on which they work, it is not 100% predictable what cases and legal issues will arise for the CVLC each term, consequently flexibility by students is required. Generally, each project can have up to 4 students per term. Selection of projects occurs after registration.
Victim Privacy Litigation Project
Students on the Victim Privacy Litigation Project will directly represent crime victims regarding enforcing their rights in Oregon state courts and in federal criminal trial proceedings arising within Oregon. The representation will be limited representation focused on issues involving privacy, participation, and dignity rights. The project focuses on trial-level litigation concerning subpoenas and access to confidential records, rape shield protections, pseudonym and confidentiality motions, protective orders, and other efforts to safeguard victims’ privacy interests within criminal cases.
Students work directly with clients through intake, screening, and consultation processes and develop trauma-informed lawyering skills while learning to navigate complex ethical and strategic questions arising in victims’ rights representation. Students engage in legal research, strategic counseling, motion drafting, and oral advocacy.
The project emphasizes practical litigation training in Oregon trial courts and federal district court proceedings within Oregon. Students may draft and argue motions pursuant to student practice rules, appear in hearings under attorney supervision, and work on rapidly developing and procedurally complex matters. Cases are selected for both client impact and their potential to clarify and advance victims’ privacy and participation rights under Oregon and federal law.
NOTE: students on this Project must be certified law students.
Victims’ Rights Appellate Project
The Victims’ Rights Appellate Project focuses on strategic appellate litigation in state and federal courts involving the enforcement and development of crime victims’ rights. Much of the project’s work consists of amicus curiae advocacy in significant appellate cases affecting victims’ rights doctrine, privacy protections, procedural participation, and access to justice. In many matters, the direct client is the National Crime Victim Law Institute or partner organizations engaged in victims’ rights advocacy at the state and national levels. In selected cases, students may also assist in direct representation of crime victims in appellate proceedings arising out of the Privacy Project or partnerships from across the country.
The project emphasizes strategic case selection and long-term doctrinal development. Students learn how appellate litigation can shape emerging law and influence courts, legislatures, and criminal justice systems nationwide. Students receive training in appellate advocacy and strategy, including issue identification, preservation analysis, standards of review, record analysis, persuasive brief writing, coalition and amicus coordination, and litigation planning.
Most student work centers on researching, strategizing, and drafting appellate briefs (direct or amicus) in state and federal courts across the country, although students may also assist with moot courts and oral arguments. The project is designed for students interested in sophisticated legal writing, strategic litigation, and impact-oriented advocacy.
Victims’ Rights Policy Project
The Victims’ Rights Policy Project engages in state and federal policy advocacy concerning the implementation, enforcement, and reform of crime victims’ rights laws and systems. Students work on projects involving legislative analysis, statutory reform, implementation research, administrative policy, and systemic responses to emerging issues affecting crime victims. Clients may include the National Crime Victim Law Institute, victim advocacy organizations, coalitions, and other partners working to improve victims’ rights law and practice at the state and national levels.
The project trains students in policy research, legislative drafting, public policy advocacy, and systems-level legal analysis. Students may prepare white papers, legislative testimony, policy memoranda, implementation guidance, model legislation, and educational materials for policymakers and practitioners.
Depending on the nature of the project and opportunities available, students may participate in meetings with policymakers and stakeholders and may have opportunities to testify before legislative or administrative bodies. The project is designed for students interested in the intersection of law, policy, institutional reform, and victims’ rights advocacy.