Administrative Rules and Policies

Undergraduate Transcript Requirement

All new law students MUST have their official undergraduate transcripts in by October 15th. If a new law student has not submitted their undergraduate transcript by October 15th, the student will be permitted to complete the current semester but will not be permitted to enroll in a subsequent semester until the law school has the student’s official undergraduate transcript(s) on file.

Institutional Policies

Law Students are bound by the Lewis & Clark Institutional Policies.

Tuition and Fees

Current Costs

Costs for each academic year are determined by the Board of Trustees. Lewis & Clark reserves the right to change tuition and/or fees at any time. To review this academic year’s schedule of charges, please visit Law School Costs.

Information regarding billing and payment standards is available on the Student and Departmental Account Services website at www.lclark.edu/go/student/accounts.

In addition to tuition, there are required fees for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) and health insurance, unless the health insurance is waived by meeting the comparable coverage requirement.  Individual sections or courses may have associated fees as well. Check to see if a section has a fee by viewing the section in WebAdvisor

Health Insurance

Lewis & Clark requires that all degree seeking and visiting Law students have medical insurance coverage comparable to that offered through the school’s comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan with the exception of students enrolled exclusively in distance learning courses. Students are afforded one opportunity in each academic year to waive the school’s coverage. The premium for the school’s insurance is charged in two equal installments, one in fall semester and one in spring semester. Spring insurance coverage continues through the summer. If students do not submit an annual health insurance waiver, they will be automatically enrolled in the Student Sponsored Health Insurance Plan.

Please visit the Student Health Insurance page for details regarding Lewis & Clark’s Student Health Insurance requirement and waiver deadline.

Tuition Policies and Procedures

Student Account Services

Non-Payment of Charges

Students with outstanding account balances may not be allowed to register or attend courses for future semesters. Existing registration for future terms may be cancelled as a result of an outstanding account balance. Lewis & Clark also reserves the right to withhold diplomas. Full payment of the balance due is required to facilitate the release of these documents and to clear a student for class registration. Class registration, or re-registration, will be on a space available basis. Additionally, past due balances not covered by fully processed financial aid or a current monthly payment plan are subject to a semester late fee.

Lewis & Clark reserves the right to assess late fees to all past due student accounts. For a discussion on late fee assessments and thresholds, please go to the Student and Departmental Account Services Fees page.

Student Account “Hold”

Student and Departmental Account Services will identify students with outstanding balances. Students with an outstanding balance will have a “hold” placed on their account and will receive notification of the hold consequences. Please review the section Non-Payment of Charges for further discussion on outstanding balances and resulting hold consequences. Students can review active holds through WebAdvisor.

Returned Payments

A $20 fee will be placed on the student account for any payment returned to Lewis & Clark, or its payment processing partner Nelnet. This fee may not be reversed.

Lewis & Clark’s bank automatically re-deposits all returned checks once, without notice.

Notification of the dishonored payment will be sent to the student’s Lewis & Clark email address. The student must make restitution, and remit payment of the returned payment fee, within ten (10) days following this notification.

Lewis & Clark reserves the right to refuse a personal check for payment in certain circumstances.

Division Change Account Adjustment

Students who change from Day Division to Evening Division after the semester has begun may be entitled to an adjustment of their charges. The dates for the division change deadline are published on the Academic Calendar, maintained by the Registrar’s Office. For students receiving financial assistance, a change of division may result in an adjustment in eligibility.

Refund of Credit Balances

Student account refunds will be released after the first day of classes in each term and only when a credit actually exists on a student account. If the credit is the result of a reduction in a student’s charges, the refund will be issued after all necessary adjustments are complete. If the credit is the result of financial aid, the refund will be issued only after the disbursement of funds is posted to the student’s account. Estimated financial aid does not qualify for a refund.

Refunds resulting from an overpayment of financial aid are to be used to cover education-related expenses such as off-campus living expenses, transportation, and/or books and supplies.

Credit balances will be refunded either via electronic payment or via paper check. If the refund is a paper check payable to the student, the check will be mailed to the student’s preferred U.S. mailing address on record. Student Accounts will not mail refund checks to international mailing addresses. Refunds delivered via electronic payment will be deposited into the bank account designated by the student. Information regarding direct deposit enrollment is available at Student Account Policies: Refunds.

If all of a student’s expenses are covered by a formal billing arrangement between Lewis & Clark and the student’s employer, a government agency, or other sponsor, credit balances will be refunded in accordance to the third-party payer’s sponsor agreement should refund instructions be provided. Any exceptions to this standard will be at the discretion of the sponsor. In all other cases, credit balances on a student’s account will be refunded in the name of the student.

Policy of Charge Adjustment: (Withdrawals and Dismissals) 

Withdrawals Charge Policies

Total withdrawal from all classes is effective as of the date the student submits the official withdrawal process with the Office of the Law Registrar.

The following information is applicable in the Fall and Spring semesters.

For students who process a total enrollment withdrawal, the tuition charge for the semester will be pro-rated on a per-day basis, based on the academic calendar, up to the 60% point of the period of instruction. After the 60% point, there will be no adjustment to tuition charges and full (100%) tuition will be charged.

For LLM  students who process a total enrollment withdrawal: The LLM fee will be pro-rated on a per-day basis, based on the academic calendar, up to the 60% point of the period of instruction. After the 60% point, there will be no adjustment to LLM fee charges.

On or before the 15th day of the semester, if a student processes a total enrollment withdrawal, the fee for the school’s student health insurance plan and the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) Assessment will be reversed in full and the student will be removed from the Lewis & Clark sponsored insurance coverage. If a student withdraws after the 15th day, the fee for the school’s student health insurance plan and the LRAP Assessment will not be adjusted.

Please note: If claims have already been processed through the student health insurance plan before the student’s withdrawal, the insurance fee will not be reversed.

Special Situations — The following types of Withdrawal have Special Rules

Fall semester: First year students who find it necessary to withdraw after June 15th will forfeit the total of acceptance deposits paid. Tuition, fees, and health insurance charges are reversed in full when withdrawing before the two-week introductory period. Please see below for information about withdrawals during the two-week introductory period. After the first day of the fall semester, first year students who withdraw will be subject to the same withdrawal policies as continuing students. These policies are outlined above.

Withdrawing from all classes during the Fall 2-week introductory course:

Students withdrawing from all semester classes while currently enrolled in a Fall 2-week introductory course will still be subject to costs for that course. Tuition and fees for Fall classes that start after the semester start date will be reversed in full when the official withdrawal is submitted during the two-week introductory period, as well as enrollment in the health insurance coverage and associated fee.

JD Students who withdraw during the Fall 2-week introductory courses: LAW-050 is a two-week introductory course that, in Fall semesters, begins two weeks prior to all other classes. If a student in LAW-050 withdraws after the first day of the class, the tuition charge for the two-week introductory class will be pro-rated on a per-day basis, based on the academic calendar, up to the 60% point of the period of instruction. After the 60% point, there will be no adjustment to tuition charges for the class, and full (100%) tuition will be charged.

LLM/MSL Students who withdraw during Fall 2-week introductory courses: LAW-610 and LAW-611 are two-week introductory courses that, in Fall semesters, begin two weeks prior to all other classes. If a student in LAW-610 or LAW-611 withdraws after the first day of the Fall semester, the tuition charge for the two-week introductory class will be pro-rated on a per-day basis, based on the academic calendar, up to the 60% point of the period of instruction. After the 60% point, there will be no adjustment to tuition charges for the class, and full (100%) tuition will be charged.

First year students — Spring Semester: If a first year student’s fall semester cumulative grade average is 1.5 or lower, he or she will be eligible for a 100% reversal of spring tuition and fees if he or she officially withdraws within one (1) week subsequent to the posting of fall semester grades. In any other circumstance, first year students who withdraw from the spring semester will be subject to the same withdrawal policies as continuing students. These policies are outlined above.

The following information is applicable in the Summer semester only.

Number of days enrolled includes the first day of the course AND the day the student withdrew. The count also includes weekends.

5-week classes will have a five-day add/drop period: first 3 days of class 100% tuition refund, the 4th & 5th days of class 50% tuition refund, thereafter no refund.

2-week intensives will have a two day add/drop period: first day of class 100% tuition refund, the second day of class 50% tuition refund, thereafter no refund.

1-week intensives will have a one day add/drop period: first day of class 100% tuition refund, thereafter no refund.

Special Fee Assessment for Dropped Classes

If a student drops or withdraws from a course that has an associated fee, the course fee is handled in the following way: If the student drops the course before the late add/drop period begins (as defined on the academic calendar), then the course fee is reversed in full. If the student withdraws from the course on or after the start of the late add/drop period as defined on the academic calendar, then the course fee is not adjusted.

Information as to the effect of a withdrawal on financial aid can be found in the Financial Aid Policy: Withdrawal Refund/Repayment Policies section on this page. Once the adjustments to a student’s charges and financial aid are complete any resulting credit will be refunded. Please refer to Refund of Credit Balances for Refund of Credit Balances and details of Lewis & Clark’s refund policy.

Military Leave

A student called to active duty in the military shall have 100% of their charges for tuition and fees reversed for the semester or summer session during which military leave occurs.

Dismissals

                Academic: A student who is academically dismissed as a result of fall semester work will have 100% of spring semester tuition reversed. A student who enrolls in summer school courses before notification of academic dismissal will have 100% of the summer school tuition reversed. No credit will be granted for the course work.

              Suspension, Expulsion or Dismissal Other Than Academic Dismissal: The date that formal charges are served or that notice of suspension, expulsion or dismissal is issued, will be the date used in pro-rating a student’s charges. Information explaining the policies of charge adjustment can be found under “Withdrawals” at the top of this page.

Involuntary Leave of Absence

Lewis & Clark College is committed to the safety, health, and well-being of all students and members of the College community. In rare circumstances, students may experience situations that significantly inhibit their ability to function successfully and safely in their role as students. When such circumstances arise, the College encourages students to voluntarily withdraw for a period of time so that they may address their needs. When a student does not take a voluntary leave of absence and the best available objective evidence indicates that they pose a serious risk to the health and safety of themselves or to the College community, or where the student’s behavior significantly disrupts the College environment or its customary functions, the College may require the Student to take an involuntary leave of absence. This Policy describes the process for making that determination, and for the impacted student to seek to rejoin the campus community following the leave. This Policy applies to all students of the College, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Law School, and the Graduate School of Education and Counseling.

More details are available in the full Student Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy.

Oregon State Bar Early Bar Exam

• Lewis & Clark Law School’s Early Oregon Bar Taker Policy

Inclusive Campus/Bathroom Policy

Lewis & Clark seeks to be an inclusive community that welcomes and respects all people. Every member of our community is expected to commit to maintaining a safe, respectful and welcoming community. This means it allows all members of the community to access all authorized law school spaces/facilities in accordance with their gender identity and/or gender expression, including but not limited to bathrooms and locker rooms.

Any community member who believes Lewis & Clark Law School or a community member has engaged in discrimination in violation of this policy (in violation of other nondiscrimination obligations, including intentional discrimination or harassment) should contact the Law School Associate Dean of Student Affairs (lclawsa@lclark.edu), the Bias Assessment Response Team (bart@lclark.edu), or file a report using this form.

Definitions

Gender Expression: the manner in which any individual’s gender identity is expressed, including, but not limited to, through dress, appearance, manner, or speech. Examples of gender expression include but are not limited to femininity, masculinity, and androgyny.

Gender Identity: the manner in which any individual experiences and conceptualizes their gender, regardless of whether or not it differs from the gender culturally associated with their assigned sex at birth. Gender identity is not necessarily visible to others.

Parking

Parking permits are not required on the Fir Acres Campus between Fall and Spring semesters. Parking permits are required for parking in the law school and the south campus parking lots throughout the spring and fall semesters and during the summer weeks between semesters, Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm. Parking permits must be displayed in the vehicle as called for in the Parking Regulations section on the web http://www.lclark.edu/offices/transportation_and_parking/regulations/

Lewis & Clark has established parking regulations to manage parking and traffic on the campus. Semester parking permits can be purchased only at the Law School Business Office (located on the upper level of the Legal Research Center).

Daily parking permits may be purchased at the Campus Safety Office or the Law School Business Office. Additionally, daily parking permits may be purchased from vending machines in the upper Griswold, lower Griswold, South Campus and Law School parking lots.

For additional information regarding parking regulations and costs please visit the Transportation and Parking page.

Use of Student Photos

From time to time, we photograph formal and informal events on campus. We use these photographs on the website, in alumni publications, digital communications such as e-newsletters and occasionally on social media. Rarely are students identified by name; rather these are campus-ambiance photographs, capturing the spirit of the event.

If you do NOT want your photo used, please email Judy Asbury, jasbury@lclark.edu (Assistant Dean, Communications and External Relations). Use the words “Opting Out of Photography” in the subject line and attach a current photo of yourself.

Financial Aid Policy and Processes

Current and detailed information is available at the Student Financial Services office and web site. 

Law School Scholarships, Work Study, Loan Deferment Procedures, Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Purposes

 

Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College Scholarships

There are a variety of special scholarships awarded by the law school to first year students. These include the Dean’s Fellowship, Natural Resource Scholarships, Business Law Fellowship, Tax Law Fellowships, Public Interest Law Fellowships, and several others funded by private individuals and law firms. The selection is made by the law school Admissions Office on the basis of highest academic achievement and financial need. Information regarding the specific conditions of the scholarships will be sent under separate cover by the Law School Admissions Office.

Upper Division students may apply for a number of donor-supported scholarships.  These scholarships generally have specific criteria. Invitations to apply are sent to all students once a year.

For students awarded scholarships in the entering year Fall 2013 or later, awards are renewable if the student maintains a yearly grade point average of 2.6 or better.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study jobs are available for Lewis & Clark law students, but generally not until they have completed their first year of law school. These jobs are posted at Career Services and are available on a competitive basis through an interview selection process. You may work a maximum of 40 hours per week during the summer and up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.

Before interviewing with an employer you should determine if you would be eligible for a Federal Work-Study award by contacting Student Financial Services. Federal Work-Study is a need-based financial aid program. Federal Work-Study will replace some of your loan eligibility; resulting in less debt obligation. Once a job has been secured, send Student Financial Services a Federal Work-Study Request Form (available from Business Services at the law school).

A timecard will be mailed to your employer, and you will be sent a revised award notification showing how your financial aid package has been adjusted due to the addition of your work-study award. You must have a W-4 and an I-9 form on file with the Lewis & Clark Payroll/Business Office prior to the processing of your FWS timecard. You are responsible for tracking the gross amount earned, to ensure you don’t exceed the amount awarded. If you exceed your award, your employer will be billed the entire cost rather than the cost being shared with the Federal government.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

As required by the Federal regulations governing Title IV financial aid, students are required to be making academic progress toward their degree to continue eligibility for the Federal Student Aid programs. This progress contains a quantitative and a qualitative standard of performance.

The quantitative standard states that the student should be advancing at a full-time status in such a fashion as to complete the degree requirements within five years. The quantitative standard for a student who attends less-thanfull-time is measured on a percentage basis compared to a full-time standard. Students who meet the school standards for remaining in school are considered to be making satisfactory progress.

Loan Deferments

The Registrar’s Office certifies the attendance dates for all loan deferments. However, students are responsible for understanding the deferment policy of the lender or the loan servicing company handling their loan(s). Direct communication between the lender and the student is necessary for compliance with loan regulations.

Loan deferment policies vary significantly from lender to lender. Inquire carefully as to what you need to do to make sure your lender does not require repayment during the time you are fully enrolled in school.

Students concerned about being put into repayment status over the summer need to contact the lender themselves to request a Bridge Deferment.

Currently the Registrar’s Office has two procedures for loan deferments. One process is done electronically through a loan clearing house for lending agencies. The other procedure, done for Perkins loans and private loans, involves the student submitting a deferment form to the Registrar’s Office.

Student Loan Deferment Processing for Perkins or Private Loans

The Registrar’s Office will submit certificates of attendance for students with Perkins and private loans. The student is responsible for submitting deferment form requests with proper mailing addresses to the Registrar’s Office. We will mail these forms to the lender with enrollment certification.

Enrollment certification for the regular academic year may be prepared after the first day of class. Certification cannot be given past the end of the current academic year. Summer school is certified separately if verification is required by the lender.

Student Loan Deferment Processing for loans other than Perkins or Private Lenders

Northwestern School of Law uses the National Student Loan Clearinghouse for electronic loan deferment. Three times a semester (after add/drop period, at mid-semester, and after finals) Lewis & Clark College and Law School submits a report verifying all currently registered students to the Clearinghouse which, in turn, supplies verification of enrollment to lending agencies. Should you have difficulty with your lender regarding verification of enrollment, please contact the Registrar’s Office. Toll-free telephone numbers for the largest services are available at the Registrar’s Office.

Parking Regulations

https://www.lclark.edu/offices/transportation_and_parking/overview/

General Information

All students, faculty and staff of the law school who park at any time on the campus are required to register their vehicles with the College. All are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the Lewis & Clark College Transportation and Parking Regulations. Ignorance of the regulations will not be accepted as justification for non-compliance. The updated transportation and parking regulations are distributed to students, faculty, and staff prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Copies are also available at the campus safety office on the main campus.

Campus parking regulations may be viewed at https://www.lclark.edu/offices/transportation_and_parking/overview/

The parking of motor vehicles by Lewis & Clark College students, faculty, and staff is prohibited in residential neighborhoods adjacent to the campus. Parking violation notices will be placed on vehicles of students, faculty, and staff if parked in violation of any of the College transportation and parking regulations. Fines will be automatically charged to college accounts.

First and second year law students are not permitted to park in the law school parking lot. This exclusion applies to commuter permits and daily permits.

Parking for all law students is available on the main campus in any parking spaces not reserved by signs or pavement markings. There is also a reserved section for all law students in the upper Griswold parking lot. If parking passes from the parking lot vending machine are used, then a vehicle ID is required, and is available at no charge from the Law School Business Office.

The only exception to this rule, are carpool permits and parking permits issued by the transportation and parking office for physically disabled persons. Certain parking spaces in the law school parking lot are reserved for class 3L law students, (ONLY those law students graduating that academic school year) who must obtain either a 3L year student commuter permit at the campus safety office or a specially validated daily permit from the reception desk at the legal research center.

Parking is also available at the Huston Ball Field. Semester or daily permits are required to park in this satellite-parking facility. Please contact the transportation and parking office (503-768-7857) for more information. For permits and fees information see: https://www.lclark.edu/offices/transportation_and_parking/permits_and_forms/. Tri-Met website: http://trimet.org

Policy on Second Dose Rubella (Hard Measles) Vaccination

In order to comply with Oregon law regarding a second dose measles vaccination for college students, Lewis & Clark College has developed the following policy: All law students born on or after January 1, 1957 enrolling on or after Fall 1993 must provide the school with evidence of having received two doses of LIVE measles vaccine on or after their first birthday with a minimum of thirty days between doses. If month and year of the first dose are not available, documentation of the second dose in or after December 1989 must be provided. The dates must be accompanied by the student’s signature. Students may be exempted from the immunizations if:

1. they provide documentation of adequate measles titer
2. they provide documentation of having had the disease
3. they have a medical condition preventing the use of the vaccine (cont. next page)
4. they were born before January 1, 1957
5. religious beliefs prohibit immunization

Procedure

All entering students will be required to present documentation of immunization or legitimate exemption to the Law School prior to registration. The documentation must be signed by the student. Students who do not have a signed statement on file will have a hold placed on their registration.

Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Policies

A supportive, congenial and professional environment is essential to the law school’s academic mission. For this reason, the law school strives to sustain an atmosphere in which individual dignity is respected. Sexual harassment is inconsistent with this goal and will constitute a violation of this policy. Faculty, staff, students and persons using the law school facilities are expected to adhere to the sexual misconduct and sexual harassment policies.

The policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct can be found at  https://www.lclark.edu/offices/human_resources/employee_resources/policies/institutional/employee_conduct/sexual_misconduct.php. 

The policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment are at http://www.lclark.edu/offices/human_resources/employee_resources/policies/institutional/employee_conduct/sexual_harassment/

Lewis & Clark Alcohol Policy

Lewis & Clark College seeks to assure the health and well-being of the entire College community. Therefore, consistent with state and federal laws including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act, the College provides opportunities for education and assistance to members of the College community and has adopted the following policy designed to prevent the illicit use or abuse of alcohol or other drugs.

The College prohibits the unlawful use, sale, purchase, transfer, possession, manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of drugs or alcohol by students and employees on College property or as part of any College activity. In accordance with Oregon law, the service of alcohol to, or consumption by, any person who is under the age of 21, or who is intoxicated, is prohibited.

The College expects that those employed by the College in any capacity will carry out the duties of their respective positions free from interference from the effects of alcohol and other drugs.

Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in the course of any class, laboratory, or other activity at which attendance is required as part of a student’s course or degree requirements.

Alcoholic beverages may be served or consumed under certain circumstances in designated areas with prior approval from the Office of the Associate Dean of Northwestern School of Law for law school events or from the Office of the Dean of Students for all other circumstances. Members of the Lewis and Clark community and guests, and the sponsors of any on-campus or College-sponsored activity or social event at which alcoholic beverages are served, must abide by all applicable laws and College procedures.

Dissemination of Institutional Policy and Procedures

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Lewis & Clark College has distributed annually through the campus mail theLewis& Clark College Alcohol and Drug Policy and Information brochure to each employee and each student. In addition, this brochure is included in packets distributed to all new students and employees.

Information in the brochure includes the information listed above as well as:

Sanctions

In addition to any disciplinary action that may be taken against individuals, any College-sponsored or College-supported groups that condone or encourage violations of this policy maybe subject to discipline and possibly to dissolution.

The College also reserves the right to remove any and all persons from College facilities or otherwise to separate those persons from the institution whenever there may be a threat to the safety, health, or well-being of the College or a member of the College community, whether alcohol- or drug-related or otherwise.

Health Risks

A chart informing students and employees about drugs and their effects and possible health risks is included in the alcohol brochure.

Resources and Programs Available

The College encourages students and employees who use illegal drugs or who abuse alcohol to seek appropriate assistance.

The College provides alcohol and drug abuse information, education, and counseling or referral services to help meet individual needs and to assist in times of crisis. The Counseling Center and the Student Health Center are available to all members of the College community for confidential alcohol or drug-related assistance, whether or not those members are covered under the College health insurance program. Students are urged to refer individuals troubled by illegal drug use or alcohol abuse problems to the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Director of Personnel services or the appropriate dean or supervisor or to the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program.

Resources at Lewis & Clark and in the Portland community are listed with telephone numbers in the brochure.

Applicable Legal Sanction, Local, state, and federal laws and codes are presented in a section in the brochure which includes penalties for possession, Portland Municipal Code items, and a blood alcohol levels chart.

The brochure is available at the Registrar’s Office at the law school.

Calculation of Credits Earned Based on Time Spent

The ABA and the Department of Education require a minimum number of hours that students must work in order to earn credits. To earn one credit, the ABA expects a student to work 42.5 hours over the course of the semester. See ABA Standard 310(b)(1). Those hours include in-class time, out-of-class time preparing for class, time spent on projects or papers, and time spent studying for and taking a final examination. Any course offered at Lewis & Clark Law School must meet these minimums. Some courses may require more than the minimum hours per credit, but students are not entitled to earn additional credit for such courses.

Course with regularly scheduled classes — To meet the DOE/ABA requirements for 1 credit hour, Lewis & Clark requires students taking courses with regularly scheduled classes to attend 13 weeks of 55-minute classes, which is 715 minutes (11.9 hours), and take an exam that will take a minimum of 60 minutes, for a total of 12.9 hours. To fill out the remainder of ABA’s 42.5 hour requirement and earn 1 credit, students are expected to do a minimum of roughly 2¼ hours of work outside of class for every 55-minute hour spent in class, along with at least 2 hours of exam studying per credit.

Classes that have papers or projects instead of exams require additional time to make up for the time not spent studying for or taking the exam. Some classes require or allow “major” papers, for which students can earn additional credit.

Field Placements — The law school has two types of field placement.  The hours in the placement and the class requirement are published in the course descriptions for the practicums, and in the externship materials for both extern supervisors and students.

       1) The most common field placement is the externship field placement. To earn 1 credit hour, students must do 52 hours of work in the field placement and participate in an online class.

       2)  The other type of field placement is the practicum. Practicums include attendance at a two-hour seminar every class week, plus 8-10 hours per week in the field placement.

Clinic — The requirements vary according to the individual clinic.  Each clinic involves a set number of hours in the clinic each week, as well as attendance at a separate, regularly scheduled class.

Moot Courts — Moot courts vary widely in requirements for class time, practice rounds, and whether there are significant written, reading, and other assignments. The number of credits is available with the course description for each moot court, and on the list of courses offered.

Summer school — The same total minutes and hours are required for summer classes as during the fall or spring semesters, but they are compressed into a shorter period of time.

 

Student Complaints Regarding ABA Standards Compliance

Lewis & Clark Law School is required to comply with the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools.  The ABA Standards may be found at http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/standards.html.  Any student at the law school who believes there is a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s compliance with the ABA Standards should do the following:

1. Deliver a written complaint to at least two of the following:  the Dean, the Associate Dean for Faculty, or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.  A written complaint can be an e-mail, a fax, hand-delivered, or U.S. mail.
2. The writing should describe in detail the behavior, program, process, or other matter that is the subject of the complaint, and must explain how the matter implicates the law school’s program of legal education and its compliance with a specific, identified ABA Standard(s).
3. The writing must provide the name, official law school e-mail address, and a street address of the complaining student, to enable the administrator to communicate about the complaint with the complaining student. 
4. The administrator to whom the complaint is submitted will acknowledge the complaint within 10 business days of receipt of the written complaint.  Acknowledgment may be made by e-mail, U.S. mail, or by personal delivery, at the option of the administrator.
5. Within two weeks of acknowledgment of the complaint, the administrator, or the administrator’s designee, shall either meet with the complaining student, or respond to the substance of the complaint in writing. In this meeting or in this writing, the student should either receive a substantive response to the complaint, or information about what steps are being taken by the law school to address the complaint or to further investigate the complaint. When the investigation, if needed, is completed, the student shall be provided either a substantive response to the complaint or information about what steps are being taken by the law school to address the complaint within two weeks after completion of the investigation.
6. Appeals regarding decisions on complaints may be taken to the Dean of the law school, or if the Dean has decided the merits of the complaint, to the President of the College.  Any decision made by the Dean or by the President on appeal shall be final.
7. A copy of the complaint and a summary of the process and resolution of the complaint shall be kept in the office of the Dean for a period of eight years from the date of final resolution of the complaint.