Work with real people in real situations.
Oregon Law's clinics give students the opportunity to practice of law under the supervision of law school faculty in a variety of different contexts. Whether your goal is on gaining generally applicable practice skills or on developing expertise in a particular substantive area, Oregon Law's clinics provide invaluable experience.
“I have participated in the nonprofit clinic, the criminal defense clinic, and I was an intern at Youth, Rights and Justice. I think the most memorable experience was from the criminal defense clinic because you have the opportunity to represent real clients in court. It is the hands-on experience that you can’t get in a classroom and it is truly rewarding.”
– Kelsey Cunningham
JD/CRES '20
Business Law Clinic
In the Business Law Clinic, which is housed at the law school, students have the opportunity to assist in representing business clients in a simulated law firm environment. Through intensive training under direct supervision, the clinic teaches students the skills necessary to practice transactional law. In the course of a semester, each clinic student assists in representing two businesses. Clinic students are responsible for all aspects of the representation from the initial meeting with the client to the final meeting in which the students present and explain the legal work performed. Types of legal work performed at the clinic include business entity formation, review and drafting of contracts for the sale of services or products, and advice on laws affecting various types of businesses. For questions, contact Mindy Wittkop.
Civil Justice Clinic (Domestic Violence Clinic) and Advanced Civil Justice Clinic (Advanced Domestic Violence Clinic)
The Civil Justice Clinic (Domestic Violence Clinic) provides law students with opportunities to develop effective lawyering skills and a commitment to serving survivors while providing comprehensive civil legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or stalking.
Criminal Defense Clinic and Advanced Criminal Defense Clinic
Students in the Criminal Defense Clinic have the opportunity to work at public defense offices in Eugene. Students conduct client and witness interviews and investigations and help defend clients in a wide range of misdemeanor prosecutions in circuit court. For questions about the Eugene clinic, contact Taylor Herbert.
Criminal Prosecution Clinic and Advanced Criminal Prosecution Clinic
The Criminal Prosecution Clinic, which is housed at the Lane County District Attorney’s Office, offers students the opportunity to prepare and try minor criminal cases under the supervision of an attorney and to assist senior prosecutors on felony cases. For questions, contact Zori Cook or Emily Stull.
Nonprofit Clinics
The Nonprofit Clinic holds two different clinics each academic year.
Fall Semester: Nonprofit Community Legal Clinic.This clinic teaches skills involved in practicing nonprofit and business law by providing intensive training and practical experience representing existing nonprofit organizations in a law firm environment. Students work in teams of two and handle transactional-based legal matters for local nonprofit organizations including drafting or updating corporate governance documents such as bylaws and/or board policies, contracts for services or leases for commercial space, and employee and other operational policies.
Spring Semester: Nonprofit Governance Clinic. This is an interdisciplinary clinic that brings together students from the School of Law, School of Planning, Public Policy, and Management and other graduate students to serve the Oregon nonprofit community. Teams conduct governance assessments of two nonprofit boards, including a review of systems and policies that support and guide how a board oversees an organization’s mission, strategy, and accountability, as well as fulfillment of legal and stewardship responsibilities.
For questions, contact Roy Catalani.