Justice for all.
In books and on television, lawyers are often shown prosecuting or defending an alleged criminal before a judge. The reality is that criminal justice advocacy is far more complex than what happens in a courtroom.
As a student in Oregon Law’s Criminal Practice Program, you will develop a strong foundation in the fundamental issues of an individual's liability, security, responsibility, liberty and constitutional rights. Through hands-on coursework, externships, and clerkships, you will gain the skills to prepare you for a broad range of careers, including working in the public sector as a prosecutor or defense attorney, in private practice, and in criminal justice advocacy practice anywhere in the country.
Criminal Law Concentration
Either through individual courses or completing an optional criminal law concentration, students can gain expertise in a variety of different areas of law.
Current students may review the concentration requirements and forms on MyLaw.
Alumni Highlight — Laura Coffin, JD ‘07
Laura began her career as a trial attorney with a local public defender’s office. Then she worked as a state appellate defender, arguing cases before the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Oregon Supreme Court. In 2018, she became an assistant federal public defender, with responsibility for handling criminal cases at all levels of the federal court system.
“The University of Oregon’s Criminal Law program excelled in connecting its students to some of the best local practitioners. Our local defense bar is filled with highly skilled, dedicated lawyers who respect the caliber of Oregon Law’s students and generously give their time to mentor those students interested in criminal law. From the Defense Clinic with Tom Fagan to my first OCDLA conference in Welches, I connected early on with lawyers who taught me the thousand lessons – when to fall on my sword, how to keep the prosecution honest, how to uphold ethics and zealous representation where the rubber hits the road – that I credit enormously for getting me to where I am today.”
Careers
Recent Oregon Law graduates have worked as prosecutors and defense attorneys in federal, state, and local court systems across the US. Some graduates have become federal and state judges, attorneys general, and leaders of nonprofit organizations working in the area of criminal law.
Common Criminal Law careers include:
- Prosecutor
- Public Defender
- Privately retained defense attorney
- Policymaker
- Criminal Justice Administrator/Analyst
- Civil Rights Litigator
- Federal Law Enforcement Agent
Academics
Sample of Criminal Law Coursework
FIRST YEAR (1L) (Assigned)
SECOND YEAR (2L)
THIRD YEAR (3L)
Criminal Law Research Projects
- Oregon Child Advocacy Project (OCAP)
- 1L Fellowship: Criminal Law
Practical Experience
Types of available practical experiences
FIRST YEAR (1L)
SECOND YEAR (2L)
THIRD YEAR (3L)
Professional Development
At Oregon Law, we take your future seriously. As a law student, you will take a required professional development seminar your first year.
You will also receive individualized, tailored professional development coaching from a professional who will guide you to make strong career choices throughout your time at Oregon Law.
Extracurriculars
FIRST YEAR (1L)
SECOND YEAR (2L)
THIRD YEAR (3L)
Faculty Highlight — Tom Lininger
ORLANDO JOHN AND MARIAN H. HOLLIS PROFESSOR
Tom Lininger teaches Criminal Adjudication, Criminal Law, Evidence and Legal Profession. He earned his BA at Yale and his JD at Harvard. He worked as a federal prosecutor for seven years, and Oregon’s governor appointed him to chair the state’s Criminal Justice Commission. He has written about procedural issues arising in the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault, among other categories of crimes. The US Supreme Court has cited his scholarship on criminal procedure.