Experiential Learning at Lewis & Clark Law
Studying law at Lewis & Clark goes beyond lectures, papers, and exams. For years, we’ve led the way in developing practical skills opportunities for our students, including the most extensive externships program in the country. This real-world experience gives law students an advantage when seeking employment, and can also be used to qualify for the Oregon SPPE (Supervised Portfolio Practice Examination), an alternative to the bar exam.
Students must earn six experiential credits to graduate from Lewis & Clark Law School, although many of our students earn more. We offer robust, successful programs for those who love hands-on learning or who want to gain work experience well before graduation.
Practice-Ready Curriculum
At Lewis & Clark, experiential learning begins on day one and continues through your last semester. Every course is designed to give you the skills you will need to be an effective, successful attorney. In many of our courses, you will receive training in actual legal practice, allowing you to apply what you have learned and stand out in a competitive legal market.
First-Year Foundations Lawyering Program Catalog
Sunny Sidman More about SunnyI was also fortunate enough to be selected for the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic, where I work on the parole project. The experience has been incredible for my development as a student and future lawyer.
John Herrmann More about JohnGetting to do oral arguments at Multnomah County Courthouse was a great opportunity to practice real lawyering skills with a well-earned celebration at the end. Getting to present a real legal issue to local legal professionals was very daunting, but ended up being a great insight into what real legal practice looks like.
Neeka Dabiri More about NeekaI worked at the LA County Public Defender’s Office this past summer, but see myself venturing toward other opportunities.
Advocacy in Action
The Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center is dedicated to preparing students to be practice-ready advocates inside and outside of the courtroom—enhancing their job prospects when they graduate. The center offers simulation courses in areas related to litigation, including trial, pre-trial litigation, negotiations, appeals, and client counseling as well as competition teams for moot court, mock trial, negotiation, and client counseling. The center also serves as a strong bridge between Lewis & Clark and the legal community in Portland and the Pacific Northwest. Advocacy Center programs are led by experienced and dedicated trial lawyers, litigators, negotiators, mediators, and judges, giving students the opportunities to learn and practice legal skills—mistakes and all—in a low-stakes setting.
Learning From Legal Experts
Externships—working for an attorney under law school guidelines—allow you to explore interests and acquire experience that will bring you closer to your professional goals. Lewis & Clark Law School has one of the largest externship programs in the nation with hundreds of options to choose from. You can participate in an externship full-time during the summer, part-time during the regular semester (while taking other courses), or full-time for a full semester of credit. Choose from existing externship options or create your own. Externships can be local, anywhere in the country, or around the world.
A Hands-On Approach
Clinics at Lewis & Clark Law give students an opportunity to apply their legal knowledge to help individuals and organizations, under the guidance of clinical faculty. Most of our clinics have been launched by professors who are passionate about their study of law and eager to provide those services to the community.
Legal Practica
Blending classroom and real-world experience, legal practica combine a seminar with 10 hours per week of work in a specific area of law. You can choose a practicum in criminal law, natural resources, in-house corporate counsel, start-up ventures, environmental justice, animal law legislation, or intellectual property.
Competition Teams
Lewis & Clark’s Moot Court and Mock Trial opportunities provide a unique and invaluable experience to students, challenging them in new ways and helping them build hands-on legal skills through oral arguments, researching and writing legal briefs, legal strategy and analysis, and so much more. At the law school, Moot Court and Mock Trial can be offered through a number of courses, and in some cases lead to regional and national competitions.