Robert Bart

Anticipated Graduation Year: Graduated 2014!

Hometown: Ithaca, NY

Undergraduate & Previous Work Experience: International Affairs, Masters in Teaching; prior to law school I taught high school in Hood River for 4 years.

What is your particular area of interest pertaining to law? I primarily took business law classes the final year of law school. Had I known a bit sooner that I was going to start a business after law school, I would have made a larger effort to become involved with SBLC.

Are you involved with any extracurricular activities? I was on the Curriculum Committee for 2 years while a student. In my 3^rd year, I mentored 3 undergraduate students and was involved with the Entrepreneur Club as an informal advisor to the club.

What do you like to do for fun: I am re-discovering free time after graduating from law school. I have been a whitewater kayaker since I was 15 and am learning to kite board this summer.

Favorite places in Portland? Picking random food carts downtown, wandering through Tryon Park during study breaks, and the hundreds of dive bars scattered through-out the city.

Why did you pick Lewis & Clark Law School? I wanted to stay in Oregon, so I did not look too hard at other schools. Lewis and Clark has a great name in the community and a ton of connections to help students find their niche if they want to remain in Portland.

What do you like about Lewis & Clark? Lewis and Clark has an incredible mix of professors and students. The professors treat students as colleagues and students are friendly and open.

Any reason for electing Business Law as a focus? I became a business law student by default when I launched by business. During my 3^rd year of law school, I suddenly realized how incredibly valuable understanding the basics of tax and corporate structure would be to my future. Even for students who do not intend to be in business, I would highly recommend at least a basic understanding of corporate structure and finance.

What has been your favorite experience so far? I was able to launch my business, Forge Portland, through the Lewis and Clark venture competition. By far, this has been the most valuable experience of my school career.

Any advice for new students? Studying law is an amazing opportunity. In my three years at Lewis and Clark, I negotiated on landlord-tenant issues via the Legal Clinic, did policy work for the Department of Education, tried cases in front of a jury while working the Multnomah County DA, and ultimately launched a business. Take advantage of the fact that as a law student there are a great many doors open to you. For 3 years you have the opportunity to try and experience very different aspects of the practice of law- take advantage of this opportunity!