Carter Jane Pond

Brief Background:

I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2018 and went straight to work in marketing. I was a digital/social media marketing specialist and had the opportunity to work with some really fun clients, like the Chippendales and the Boardroom (Kevin Durant’s sports media company). I also volunteered with the Nashville Sexual Assault Center in their medical advocacy program. Essentially, I would be on call a couple of times a month, and if a victim/survivor presented to the center’s clinic or any of the local hospitals for a medical-legal exam, I would be called in to be their advocate. This entailed guiding them through the process, being a shoulder to cry on, and anything else that would help the person during their time at the clinic or hospital.

What made you want to go to law school?

When COVID hit, the marketing firm I worked for lost all of our “fun” clients, and this is when I noticed my true feelings about marketing started to emerge. I found myself unable to empathize, or even sympathize, with the problems my clients were coming to me with. I would dread waking up on weekday mornings since I knew I would have to spend the day doing things that didn’t make me happy. Looking back, I have realized that marketing never really fulfilled me, but my work with the Nashville Sexual Assault Center did. I chatted with some of the full-time advocates who worked there, and I kept hearing about pursuing a career in law. As the oldest of three children, I had been told my entire life that I should be a lawyer and decided to explore that path. I haven’t looked back since!

Why did you choose Lewis & Clark?

I knew I wanted to get out of the South, so I only applied to Northeast and West Coast schools. Once acceptances started rolling in, I realized I didn’t want to live on the East Coast and shifted my attention to the other schools I applied to. I was accepted at Lewis & Clark, attended the “Admitted Students Day” in April 2022, and knew that this was where I wanted to be the minute I walked onto campus. It didn’t matter that the weather was gray and rainy (classic Portland); I fell in love with this school and Portland. My uncle and his family live on Orcas Island in Washington, and my family has taken summer trips to Washington to visit a few times. Because of those trips, I already knew that I loved the Pacific Northwest summers, and I’ve always loved the rain, so Portland felt like a great match for me.

What’s your favorite class? Why?

Oh, this is a tough one! For me, it’s a tie between Federal Courts with Professor Robert Klonoff and Street Law with Professor Christopher Parrucci. Starting law school, I fully expected to dive into criminal law, but that all changed during my 1L year when I took Civil Procedure with Professor Klonoff and found myself hooked. Since then, I’ve taken two more classes with him, Complex Litigation and now Federal Courts, and I feel lucky to have him as a mentor and my capstone advisor. Federal Courts has been fascinating—it’s not just another law class; it’s more like trying to decode this complex web connecting federal and state courts in ways that are much more intricate than most people realize. We dive into everything from jurisdictional challenges to federal litigation’s constitutional roadblocks and tie it back to real-world issues like civil rights and immigration. It’s a perfect fit for my interests in complex litigation, and it even led me to extern with the Social Media Victims Law Center, which has been an incredible experience. With Professor Klonoff guiding me, I feel like I’m gaining the tools I’ll need to tackle complex cases from day one as a lawyer.

Then there’s Street Law, which is just a blast. This class is totally hands-on; we are assigned to a local high school, where we teach ten lessons throughout the semester, all building up to a final mock trial. Getting to create lesson plans and translate legal ideas for non-lawyers has been my creative outlet this semester, and the high schoolers keep me on my toes! The challenge of making each lesson engaging—whether through pop culture references or interactive slides—has pushed me to think about how law is received and understood by people outside of the legal bubble. Plus, watching these students grow more confident as they understand concepts like due process or the difference between criminal and civil law is so rewarding. Street Law has become this fantastic blend of creativity, public speaking, and community connection, and it’s taught me a lot about how to present legal ideas in a way that makes sense for anyone, not just law students. I really love knowing that these students leave with a fresh perspective on law and lawyers, and hopefully, they see it as something that can actually make a difference.

What do you like or find most interesting about your certificate program?

I was really excited when the Litigation and Advocacy Skills Certificate was announced right before my 3L year—especially since I’d already met the class credit requirements and just needed a mentor! The certificate feels like the perfect validation of my commitment to courtroom advocacy, something I’ve aimed for since day one of law school. The mentorship aspect has been particularly valuable; having a Portland-based mentor with hands-on experience in areas I’m passionate about has been incredibly helpful. I’ve always wanted to be a litigator who actually gets to stand up in court, and it’s nice to have a certificate that acknowledges my dedication to developing real-world litigation and advocacy skills.

List up to three activities (school-related or not) that you are involved in. Pick the ones that are most important to you and tell us why.

1. If/When/How: Reproductive justice has been a huge passion of mine, especially being from Texas, where reproductive rights are under relentless attack. If/When/How’s mission of “lawyering for reproductive justice” felt like the perfect fit, and I’m incredibly proud of the work our chapter has done to bring that mission to life on campus. One of our biggest achievements was getting a Reproductive Rights and Justice class added back to the course plan—a process that really required our persistence. After recognizing a gap in our curriculum, we took the lead in advocating for the course’s return. This wasn’t a simple request; we gathered support from our peers, presented our case to the faculty, and even took on the work of finding a qualified professor ourselves. We were thrilled when the administration agreed to add the class back, and it’s rewarding to know that future students will benefit from it. This achievement was a reminder of the power of student advocacy and how impactful it can be in shaping our own education.
2. Student Assistant to Judy Asbury, Assistant Dean of Communications and External Relations: I love my role in the Communications Office because it allows me to highlight the incredible achievements of our students and faculty. From breakthrough events to unique student accomplishments, I get to tell the stories that make our community so vibrant. While much of this work celebrates widely recognized achievements, sometimes I have the chance to spotlight things that might have flown under the radar otherwise. It’s a role that has not only sharpened my writing skills but has also given me a deeper appreciation for the remarkable work happening all around me. There’s something special about helping foster a stronger sense of pride and community on campus by sharing these stories.
3. OutLaw Mentor: This is my first year participating as an OutLaw Mentor, and it’s been incredibly gratifying. I remember all too well the uncertainty of 1L year, so being a source of support for my mentee has been wonderful. My goal is to provide whatever she needs, whether it’s sharing advice, answering questions, or simply being there to validate her feelings. I think we sometimes underestimate the power of just having someone to talk to who understands and can offer a bit of perspective. Knowing I can be that person for someone else has been a very fulfilling part of my 3L year.

How has Lewis & Clark changed you?

Lewis & Clark has profoundly changed me in ways I wasn’t necessarily expecting. Coming into law school, I anticipated a rigorous academic environment, but I didn’t realize just how much it would transform how I see myself and my abilities. For one, I’ve learned to channel my creativity into the law, whether it’s developing engaging Street Law lessons with pop culture themes for high school students, crafting impactful policy proposals in Reproductive Rights & Justice, or finding just the right words to highlight the incredible accomplishments of L&C students and faculty as a Student Assistant in the Communications Office. I came to law school thinking I’d be trading creativity for structure, but instead, I’ve discovered that law can be an incredibly creative field—one where my skills in storytelling, advocacy, and public engagement can shine.

The guidance I’ve received here has also been transformative. Having a mentor like Professor Klonoff, one of the nation’s top civil procedure experts, has expanded my vision of what’s possible in the field of complex litigation. His support has helped me navigate the intricacies of civil procedure and develop a foundation in complex litigation that I’m excited to build on. Through my externship with the Social Media Victims Law Center, I’ve been able to apply my background in social media to advocate for real change, using everything I’ve learned to help address the harms these platforms can cause.

Ultimately, Lewis & Clark has taught me that law is more than rules and cases—it’s a powerful tool for advocacy, creativity, and connection. I’m leaving with a stronger sense of purpose, a new level of confidence, and a commitment to using my skills to make a meaningful difference.

What is your favorite thing about living in Portland?

My favorite thing about living in Portland has to be the amazing variety of small, cool music venues. I moved here from Nashville, Tennessee, where I was completely spoiled by living in “Music City,” and I was a bit worried I’d be leaving that part of my life behind. Thankfully, Portland’s music scene has been a wonderful surprise. From the energy at McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom to the intimate vibe at Revolution Hall and the character of the Roseland Theater, Portland has no shortage of unique spots for live music. It’s the perfect city for someone like me who thrives on the concert experience, where every venue brings its own personality to the performance. Whether it’s an up-and-coming local band or a favorite artist on tour, I love that I can always find a show to feed my love of live music.

Tell us about a meaningful Lewis & Clark academic experience that happened outside of the classroom.

When I took Reproductive Rights and Justice, our final project was to create a policy recommendation addressing an issue we saw in our community or nationwide. This project was more than just research; it required us to dive into real-world solutions by interviewing someone whose work intersected with our policy area. I partnered with another student, and we proposed a policy to create a centralized Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) in all states, but using Oregon as an example. This office would oversee comprehensive sex education implementation across school districts, ensuring students have access to accurate, inclusive, and mandated sex education.

With guidance from Professor Kimberly McCullough, who is incredibly connected in this field as the Legislative Director of the Oregon Attorney General’s office, I was able to interview a representative from Planned Parenthood’s education section. She gave us insights into the grassroots side of sex education that I hadn’t considered, like how impactful local school board elections can be on curriculum enforcement. Her input helped us craft a proposal that not only focused on policy but also addressed the practical obstacles that schools face in sex education. This experience was so meaningful because it took our learning beyond theory and into practical advocacy, showing me how policy work can truly shape lives.

Do you have any advice for students making their final law school choices?

This might sound obvious, but go somewhere you think you’ll thrive—someplace where you can genuinely picture yourself building a life, not just earning a degree. When I was applying to law schools, I had to deconstruct some of the academic elitism I’d absorbed during my time at Vanderbilt. At first, I felt like I’d only succeed if I went to Harvard, NYU, or another “elite” school. But ultimately, I realized that the best choice wasn’t about prestige; it was about finding a supportive environment where I could pursue the opportunities I cared about. Finding the right fit for you—someplace that aligns with your interests and where you feel inspired to grow—can make all the difference in your law school experience.

What was the hardest thing about adjusting to law school?

For me, the hardest thing was just getting back into an academic mindset. After working in marketing for four years, adjusting from a structured 9-to-5 work schedule (well, really 10-to-4 because I was a freelancer) to a full-time student mindset was challenging. My brain had gotten used to the rhythms of the professional world—client deadlines, project-based work, and a clear division between work and personal time. On the other hand, law school is this constant, immersive experience where everything seems important, and there’s always something more to read or analyze. It took time to rebuild habits like long-form reading, annotating, and balancing multiple subjects simultaneously. And honestly, finding the patience to dive into dense legal texts and case opinions after years away from academic reading was a skill I had to re-learn. It was a big shift, but over time, I developed new routines that helped me stay on top of the workload while also giving myself the space to adjust to being a student again.

What externships or clinics have you participated in and what was your favorite part of the externship/clinic?

During the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to extern with the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC). This organization is dedicated to holding social media companies accountable for the harm they cause to users, especially young people, by addressing issues like harmful content exposure, algorithmic discrimination, and platform-facilitated drug sales. One of the most fulfilling parts of my externship was getting to apply my background in social media marketing for the greater good. My knowledge of social media platforms—their structures, algorithms, and potential for both harm and benefit—was essential to understanding the complex issues in SMVLC’s cases.

Working on cases where my understanding of how platforms engage users could contribute to advocating for those affected by addictive algorithms or harmful content was truly meaningful. It felt like I was able to repurpose my previous skills toward a mission I cared deeply about. This externship gave me a firsthand look at how law can intersect with technology and media, empowering me to leverage my experience in a way that aligned with my values.

Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?

My mentor on campus is Professor Robert Klonoff, and I consider him to be my mentor because he’s been supporting and guiding me since my 1L year. He saw something in me early on, and I am so grateful that he did because I wouldn’t be where I am now without his experience and encouragement. Professor Klonoff has been there for every step of my journey through law school, from deepening my understanding of complex litigation to serving as my capstone advisor. As one of the top civil procedure experts in the nation, with experience litigating some of the biggest class actions ever, he brings an incredible level of expertise to every conversation we have. Knowing he believes in me has made all the difference.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Definitely the four-person table in the library that’s farthest from the windows and closest to the silent area. I’ve basically claimed it as my own at this point, and I get irrationally angry when someone else is sitting there, and I have to settle for another spot, haha! It’s the perfect spot for getting in the zone, surrounded by books and quiet, with just enough space to spread out all my materials without distractions.

Advocacy Center