For more than 30 years, Lewis & Clark Law School’s Lawyering Program has been on the forefront of legal analysis and writing education. As one of the first legal writing programs in the country, the program has been a leader in teaching methods designed to engage students and prepare them for law practice.
“Lawyering” is a term that encompasses the legal analysis and writing skills that practicing attorneys need to be successful. The Lawyering Program at Lewis & Clark Law emphasizes four core competencies: Professionalism, Investigation, Analytical Reasoning, and Communication. Small, interactive classes embrace hands-on learning. Through a combination of foundational coursework and advanced seminars—covering topics like Advanced Legal Writing, Drafting for Litigation, and Legal Persuasion—students develop a robust skill set tailored to the demands of modern legal practice.
A hallmark of the Program is its focus on practical, real-world assignments, which are carefully sequenced to help students achieve proficiency in core skills. Students research and write legal briefs and memos tackling current legal issues. For example recent 1L assignments involved state and federal matters on asylum, child abduction, and immigration.
This hands-on experience is further enriched by the opportunity to participate in a simulated appellate oral argument event held in the Multnomah County Courthouse, in downtown Portland, OR. At the end of their first year, students present arguments before a panel of three judges, who provide immediate feedback and insight into the substance, format, and delivery of the oral arguments.
As alumnus Jacob Serafini ’24 put it, “Lewis & Clark’s Lawyering Program cultivates a skillset that aids students throughout law school and into their practice. Unlike specific substantive courses such as Civil Procedure or Evidence, the lawyering courses teach students how to research legal issues, formulate legal arguments, and produce a written or oral work product on various legal issues. This experience not only allows students to get a better sense of their unique interests, but it also gives students the confidence to approach unknown subject areas and solve novel problems. This, of course, leaves students better off as they enter into their careers.”
In addition to providing real world experience, the Lawyering Program recognizes the evolving landscape of the legal profession by integrating contemporary tools and technologies into its curriculum. Students are introduced to the effective use of AI-powered legal research platforms through training that ranges from learning proper prompting techniques to understanding the importance of human oversight. This training ensures students are adept at leveraging technology to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness as future legal practitioners.
“Our Lawyering Program is truly one of the best in the nation,” said Dean Alicia Ouellette. “The faculty who have built this program should be proud; I know our students are grateful as they can see themselves developing and honing the skills they will need for success in the legal profession through every one of their lawyering courses.”
Guided by a dedicated faculty with diverse professional backgrounds, the Lawyering Program offers a rigorous and supportive environment. This approach ensures that graduates are not only proficient in legal theory, but also possess the practical skills and ethical grounding necessary to excel as advocates in a dynamic legal landscape.
