Nicole Meyer, JD ‘20, had her first experience with the law school her freshmen year at the UO. She took an introduction to criminal law course taught by Professor Emerita Margie Paris – and was hooked.  

Although it was her first interaction with legal studies – it was not her last. After that class, Meyer was inspired to join the Robert D. Clark Honors College's (CHC) 3+3 Program. The program enables highly talented and motivated honors college students interested in a legal career to complete both a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor at the UO in six years. 

Meyer, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 2018 and with a law degree in 2020, currently serves as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Washington. As she looks back at her journey, Meyer recalls that she heard about the 3+3 program before it was officially set up. She only had one month to apply to the law school, sign up for, study for, and take the LSAT. 

The Oregon Law team helped make sure Meyer was meeting both the CHC and law school requirements, which was a difficult task considering this program was new. 

“While challenging at times, I would specifically recommend the 3+3 Program to other undergraduate students,” said Meyer. “This program allowed me to still have a ‘senior year,’ even though I was a first-year law student. I continued living with my undergraduate friends, still participated in my sorority, and was able to be a part of all of the senior year festivities I was looking forward to.”  

Meyer adds that another benefit of the 3+3 program was the opportunity to write her CHC thesis in conjunction with the law school.  

Erik Girvan, associate professor and CRES faculty director at the law school, joined Meyer’s thesis committee and provided insight, direction, and specialized knowledge to her thesis, which focused on eyewitness testimony.  

“The 3+3 program gave me more time to research and develop my thesis and also fulfilled my law school writing requirement,” said Meyer.  

Life as a law student 

Meyer came to Oregon Law knowing that she wanted to do criminal law. She notes that Tom Lininger, Orlando John and Marian H. Hollis professor, was a great source of school, career, and real-world guidance regarding this goal.  

“Professor Lininger was always willing to help me with anything at a moment's notice,” Meyer said. 

Once she adapted to life as a law student, Meyer became involved in student organizations and took advantage of various experiential learning opportunities. 

As a staff editor and articles editor for Oregon Law Review, Meyer says she was able to refine her legal writing and editing skills. 

She also participated in the Criminal Prosecution Clinic with the Lane County District Attorney's Office. The experience provided her with her first courtroom exposure and gave her the opportunity to work on various cases and cover different dockets with the supervision of an attorney. 

As a third-year student, Meyer finished her last year as part of the law school’s Portland Program. Through the program, Meyer externed at the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. One of the highlights from her time there was being able to work on an appellate brief. 

“I had just taken an Appellate Advocacy course taught by Professor Kelly Zusman at Oregon Law's Portland Campus and the class greatly prepared me for the project,” said Meyer. “I knew what research I needed to do, how to organize the brief, and when and how to be persuasive.” 

Meyer credits the Career Center with helping her secure her field placements as well as connecting her with legal professionals and mentors throughout her time at Oregon Law. She wants prospective 3+3 students to know that completing the program can help them reach their professional development goals. 

“The Career Center always kept my interests in mind and advocated for me,” Meyer said. “They encouraged me to send in a few applications for the NW Public Service Career Fair, where I secured the amazing, year-long internship with the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.” 

By Rayna Jackson, Alumni Association Communications