Pre-Law • Academic Programs • Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Pre-Law Thinking about law school? Start here. The skills we teach all our students—critical and creative thinking, analytical reasoning, and persuasive communication—are the skills you’ll need to succeed during law school and throughout your career. With our expert advising and direct pathways to our own law school, you’ll graduate ready to take the next step with confidence. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose the Pre-Law Program? An undergraduate degree from Lewis & Clark is excellent preparation for those looking ahead to law school. You will sharpen your voice, challenge ideas, and gain hands-on experience that sets you apart and prepares you for the rigor of earning your professional degree. A Powerful Liberal Arts Foundation Law school graduates pursue a variety of careers, including jobs in law, business, government, and politics. Because of this, law schools do not require, and we do not prescribe, a single course of pre-law study. In fact, students have gone to law school after majoring in almost every field at Lewis & Clark—from art , biology , and environmental studies to sociology and anthropology and theatre . No matter what your major, we recommend courses that cultivate analytical and writing skills as preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and subsequent work in law school. You can find these courses in many departments, including but not limited to English , history , philosophy , and political science . Apply Visit Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading... Meet the Pre-Law Advisors From your first semester, you’ll have access to a dedicated pre-law advisor who helps you map your courses, prepare for the LSAT, and connect with alumni mentors in the legal field. You’re not just another student in the crowd—you’re part of a close-knit community that’s invested in your success. For information about how to tailor your L&C education to your interest in the law, contact Pre-Law Advisor Andrea Hibbard or Nancy O. Gallman . Undergraduate students have the advantages of a small college combined with the benefits of an excellent law school. Assistant Professor With Term of English; Prelaw Advisor Andrea Hibbard More about Andrea Students at L&C think deeply about the universe—near and far—from multiple perspectives, while cultivating a noncompetitive atmosphere that encourages creativity and self-expression. Assistant Professor of History; Pre-Law Advisor Nancy O. Gallman More about Nancy Find Your People Our students interested in law school participate in a wide variety of cocurricular programs at Lewis & Clark, including student-run Pre-Law Club our nationally ranked speech and debate team , annual symposia on ethnic studies , gender studies , and international affairs , the Sustainability Council , and the Student Senate . A Direct Path to Law School If Lewis & Clark is right for you as an undergraduate student, then our Law School may be a logical next choice, especially if you are interested in law and the environment as we are home to one of the top environmental law programs in the nation. Our Law School offers top specialty programs in several areas with the JD degree, as well as graduate and joint-degree programs through both part-time and full-time course loads. L&C Law offers guaranteed admission to College of Arts and Sciences students who meet certain requirements, including minimum GPA and LSAT scores. Accelerated 3-3 Program: BA + Law Degree (JD) The standard length of study from the first year of a BA through a JD is seven years. Highly motivated students can earn both a BA from L&C’s College of Arts and Sciences and a JD from L&C Law School in just six years through our accelerated 3-3 program. Students interested in this program need to plan their coursework carefully, and should consult with their advisor the summer before they arrive on campus. Accelerated 3-1 Program: BA + Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) Students who want graduate-level education in law but do not want to become lawyers can enroll in our BA/MSL Dual-Degree Environmental Legal Studies Program—commonly referred to as the 3-1 Program. Graduates earn a BA and a Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law in four years rather than five. Like the 3-3, the 3-1 requires careful planning. Featured News An Accelerated Path to Law School Persistence is paying off for Danielle Pon BA ’24, JD ’27, who is currently attending Lewis & Clark Law School as part of the accelerated “3-3” BA/JD program. Read the story After Lewis & Clark Recent graduates of Lewis & Clark College have pursued legal education at Lewis & Clark’s own nationally recognized law school as well as at institutions such as Duke, the University of California at Berkeley, Boston College, Emory, Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, and Tulane. They become advocates, policymakers, judges, and community leaders who carry their liberal arts values into the world. Here are some specific examples: Emma Bruden JD ’16: public interest environmental lawyer with a focus on forest law at Kampmeier & Knutsen in Portland, Oregon Camey Fowler JD ’17: assistant general counsel at Opal Labs, which makes marketing and communications software tools Jonny Gersten JD ’19: staff attorney at Youth, Rights & Justice, an organization working to “make Oregon a better place for children and families” Ellen Gilmer MSL ’14: legal editor and reporter at E&E News in Washington, D.C. Morgan Gratz-Weiser MSL ’16: legislative director of the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) Dayna Jones JD ’18: defense attorney for the Mescalero Apache Tribe Kimberly Kosa MSL ’17: development director at Wild Salmon Center in Portland, Oregon Christian Moak JD ’18: litigation attorney at Immix Law, a Certified B Corporation committed to sustainability, transparency, and accountability Dexter Pearce BA ’13, JD ’16 Duke University: associate in labor and employment law at Stoel Rives in Portland, Oregon Licia Sahagun MSL ’17: executive director of Wild Whatcom in Bellingham, Washington Brennan Wortmann BA ’15, JD ’19 Georgetown University: Judicial Law Clerk at Superior Court of the District of Columbia Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. 4-5-6 Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future. 100% All entering first-year students in 2025 received aid through scholarships. 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition. My favorite class would have to be Evidence. I learned how to properly write and argue evidentiary motions. That kind of real-world experience has helped me in a subsequent summer job and has made me better prepared for the practice of law. Matt Heldt JD ’23 More about Matt Moot Court courses and Advocacy Competitions gave me a vulnerable yet safe space to identify my weaknesses and strengths as an advocate while allowing me to practice skills such as professionalism, active listening, team work, application of law to facts, public speaking, and being quick on my feet. Nadia Pahodzina JD ’25 More about Nadia Lewis & Clark is truly unique in terms of its collegial atmosphere, passionate faculty, fantastic curriculum offerings, small class size, and beautiful location. Emily Komie JD ’24 More about Emily More Law Student Profiles → Lewis & Clark Pre-Law Program FAQ No. Law schools value critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and strong communication skills, all fostered through any liberal arts major at Lewis & Clark. Advisors assist with LSAT preparation, personal statements, letters of recommendation, internships, debate and mock trial experiences, and law school application strategy. Yes! We are home to one of the top environmental law programs in the nation. Our Law School offers top specialty programs in several areas with the JD degree, as well as graduate and joint-degree programs through both part-time and full-time course loads. L&C Law offers guaranteed admission to College of Arts and Sciences students who meet certain requirements, including minimum GPA and LSAT scores. Office of the Dean of the College is located in room 201 of Albany Quadrangle on the Undergraduate Campus. email casdean@lclark.edu voice 503-768-7100 Dean Bruce Suttmeier Office of the Dean of the College Lewis & Clark 615 S. Palatine Hill Road Portland OR 97219 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
