Clinic

Clinic offers students the opportunity to handle all phases of cases for low income clients with real world problems, while in a supervised and supportive atmosphere. Participation satisfies the Law School's professionalism requirement. The Clinic operates out of its own space in downtown Portland. A free shuttle service to/from the Law School may be available. Clinic is a four credit course involving eight regularly scheduled hours per week of participation at the Clinic facilities located in downtown Portland.

OVERVIEW

The Lewis & Clark Legal Clinic is the civil practice clinic for the Law School, providing students with practical "hands on" experience in developing lawyering skills. The Clinic operates out of its own office space in downtown Portland, and has five full-time clinical faculty and its own support staff. Students interview and counsel clients; conduct fact investigation; problem solve; draft documents; negotiate cases; and represent clients at administrative hearings, trials, and in appeals before the state and federal appellate courts. The Clinic accepts only those cases which maximize the student's opportunities to learn and develop practical lawyering skills.

All of the Clinic's cases are handled by the law students, acting under the full-time supervision of the clinical faculty. No prior experience is required or preferred, and second, third, and fourth year students are encouraged to participate. Clinic offers an excellent opportunity to determine what it is like to participate in the representation of clients while in a structured, supervised, and supportive atmosphere.

Clinic is a Pass/No Pass course, with no final examination or paper requirement. Clinic is a four credit course which requires each participant to spend eight hours per week at the Clinic offices. Outside reading or case preparation may be required, typically not exceeding two hours per week. During the Spring and Fall semesters, the available time slots are: Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; or Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; or Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; or Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In addition, students attend a weekly two hour class held at the Law School. With the exception of the first two Friday classes each semester, the class is held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday. However, for the first two weeks this class runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. These first two classes are mandatory for all students enrolled in Clinic. Students who have already satisfied the Professional Responsibility credit may choose not to attend the Friday classes (other than the first two described above) and receive three credits provided they pass an open-book test on the Oregon Rules of Professional Responsibility at the beginning of the semester. These students will spend eight hours per week at the Clinic pursuant to the description above.

Since students participate in the representation of clients, regular attendance at scheduled times is required. Some flexibility is encouraged since hearings are sometimes scheduled outside of the student's regularly scheduled Clinic time. Successful completion of Clinic with four credits satisfies the Law School's professionalism requirement. Payment of an $85 Clinic fee is required.

The Clinic generally represents clients in five basic areas of the law, described in this Course Description as "Programs". Because of scheduling issues for certain of the programs, it is more likely that students will be able to handle that particular type of case if they either register for the Clinic during specified times or are able to flex their schedule. Any program scheduling limitations are described in the following program descriptions. Even if a program has a scheduling limitation, students will not necessarily be precluded from handling cases in that program. The programs may be changed at the discretion of the clinic.

There is a limit to the number of students who may register for each time slot, and early registration is encouraged. Students should select a schedule which will permit regular and timely attendance. The Registrar will maintain a wait list for each section.

Clinic commences on the first day of scheduled classes each semester, and students are expected to attend the first meeting of their registered section. Because of demand for certain time periods, and in fairness to students who are on the wait list, registration cannot be guaranteed for a student who does not attend Clinic on the first day that he or she is scheduled, or otherwise does not make appropriate arrangements with the Clinic prior to the first day of class. Prior to the start of the semester, the Clinic will contact each student who has registered to confirm the intent to participate. Unless alternate arrangements are made, the contact will be made by one of the methods reflected on the registration form.

The Clinic offices are located in the Board of Trade Building, 310 SW 4th Ave., Suite 1018, Portland. The telephone number is 503-768-6500. The Clinic may also be contacted by e-mail at "lclinic@lclark.edu".

Certified students may appear in court pursuant to the Law Student Appearance Rule. Certification requires students to have completed at least 54 credit hours, passed Evidence, and be in good academic standing. Non-certified students may become involved with the same types of cases as certified students, and may appear and argue in unemployment compensation administrative hearings and appeals and support modification administrative hearings.

GENERAL CIVIL CLINIC

Students may be assigned cases in a few or all of the areas listed below (bankruptcy, debtor/creditor/consumer law; housing law; employment law; domestic violence/family law, and Federal tax controversies).

DEBTOR CREDITOR/CONSUMER LAW (Richard Slottee)

Counseling, advice and representation regarding debtor-creditor related problems, chapter 7 bankruptcy, and consumer law issues.

HOUSING LAW PROGRAM (Mark Peterson)

Representation of tenants in residential eviction proceedings, primarily in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Some housing related issues. Most court appearances are scheduled for the morning. Certified students will make court appearances, but non-certified students participate fully in all other aspects of representation.

EMPLOYMENT LAW PROGRAM (Tigran Eldred)

Representation of clients in unemployment compensation administrative hearings, as well as appeals to the Employment Appeals Board and the Oregon Court of Appeals. Students may also represent clients in other employment related matters, including wage claims, and discrimination claims filed with state agencies. Students are not required to be certified to participate in hearings, but must be certified to argue cases at the Court of Appeals.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/FAMILY LAW PROGRAM (Theresa Wright)

Representation of clients in protection order hearings under the Family Abuse Prevention Act, Stalking Protective Orders, and Elder and Disabled Person Abuse Prevention Act, child support modifications (administrative and judicial hearings), and permanent child custody and dissolution of marriage cases. Students may also be involved in other family law related cases. Court proceedings for most domestic violence cases are scheduled on Monday with some also on Thursday. Students with an interest in these types of cases should consider registering for the Monday/Wednesday (either am or pm) time period, or be available to flex their time as necessary. Certified students will make court appearances, but non-certified students participate fully in all other aspects of representation. Administrative child support cases do not require student certification.

TAX LAW PROGRAM (Jan Pierce)

Representation of low income taxpayers involved with tax matters with the Internal Revenue Service, including audits, appeals, and hearings in the U.S. Tax Court. Student participants work on tax issues for low income taxpayers. Certification under the Student Appearance Rule is not necessary to appear in the U.S. Tax Court. Students who specifically register to participate in the Tax Law Program will receive three credits toward the Tax Certificate. Other students may also represent clients with tax issues.

Summer Clinic

Clinic is available as a four credit, five week Summer School course, offered in the first summer session only. Generally, 4 credit hours require 28 scheduled hours each week at the Clinic. Participation is scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Enrollment in Summer Clinic will not satisfy the law school’s professional responsibility requirement. The course description under Clinic is otherwise applicable. Due to a reduction in the number of clinical faculty teaching Summer Clinic, enrollment will be limited and not all casetypes will be offered. Early registration is encouraged.