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Lewis & Clark Law School’s outstanding program in criminal law and justice prepares students for legal practice as a prosecutor or a defense attorney in both state and federal courts.
Home / Criminal Law and Justice Criminal Law and Justice Join the criminal law and justice program at Lewis & Clark Law School and specialize your juris doctor degree to prepare for legal practice as a prosecutor or a defense attorney in both state and federal courts. Apply to Lewis & Clark Law School Earn Your JD in the Pacific Northwest As the only law school in Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark is known for its leading faculty, broad course offerings, practical skills training, and postgraduate fellowships. Our location means access to prosecution and defense offices from the county to federal level, plus deep connections to private sector offices and nonprofit organizations. Our curriculum navigates aspects of the criminal justice system that goes beyond prosecution or defense of criminal charges. You will learn about and work on victims’ issues, the collateral consequences of criminal convictions, re-entry issues, and post-conviction litigation, and gain insight into the ways that criminal law intersects with poverty issues and with immigration enforcement. Juris Doctor Admissions Specialize in Criminal Law Gain a competitive edge in the job market by earning a specialized Certificate in Criminal Law and Justice. To earn this certificate, you must complete the required courses (Criminal Procedure I and II, Criminal Law, and Evidence or Integrated Evidence and Trial Advocacy) and at least one elective course, participate in a clinic or a practical skills course, and choose a criminal law and justice topic for one of the two upper-level writing requirements. Criminal Law and Justice Certificate I absolutely LOVE studying in the corner of the silent-study section of the library where it is nothing but forest in every direction you look. Mariah Hogan JD ’24 More about Mariah L&C boasts about fostering a collaborative learning environment, but so do a lot of other law schools. I am happy to report that what L&C says is genuine. Elliad Dagan JD ’24 More about Elliad The resources available to students are just incredible, and the professors are so knowledgable, yet approachable. It has been amazing and truly a privilege to be a student here at L&C. Colleen Hui JD ’25 More about Colleen Funding Your Degree A legal education is often more affordable than you think, and earning an advanced degree is a significant investment in your future. Our financial aid program creates solutions to serve students from diverse economic backgrounds. Financial Aid Practical Skills to Enhance Your Education Immerse yourself in experiential learning opportunities that bridge theory and practice, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. You can gain practical experience by taking classes in advocacy, externing with prosecutors or defense attorneys, or participating in one of our many student-led groups. We offer two clinics that expose students to cutting-edge criminal justice issues. The Criminal Justice Reform Clinic tackles issues that cut across the criminal justice spectrum, and the National Crime Victim Law Institute is the nation’s leading center for advocacy on behalf of victims of crime. Through Oregon’s Student Appearance Rule, third-year law students have the unique opportunity to argue cases in court. These developed skills prove invaluable, and employers are impressed with the skills our graduates are able to use immediately upon employment. Experiential Learning at Lewis & Clark Law Learning From Experts The faculty teaching criminal law courses are experts in their fields and are among the best instructors in the country. They are often called upon to share their expertise with the media on high-profile criminal law issues and cases, and they present at conferences and workshops around the globe. Meet the Faculty Our Esteemed Alumni Community Our alumni have gone on to interesting careers, such as government prosecutors, public defenders, and private defense attorneys. Careers and Alumni > Connect With Our Admissions Team Our law admissions team is here to support you as you navigate through the application process and are available to answer any questions you may have. Contact Admissions News faculty , law Legal Advice Portal Expands Access to Justice for Victims of Hate & Bias Crimes in Oregon A new online portal from the NCVLI is providing free legal advice to victims of hate and bias crimes in Oregon, bridging a critical gap in access to justice. advocacy New Public Defense Practicum Partnership with Metropolitan Public Defenders Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, Lewis & Clark Law School is partnering with Metropolitan Public Defenders to offer a year-long Public Defense Practicum, giving 2L and 3L students practical experience in public defense at a time when Oregon is facing a crisis-level shortage of public defenders. Clinic Students Featured in Restorative Justice Podcast “Cellblocks to Mountaintops,” a restorative justice podcast, investigates the story of Sterling Cunio, one of the “Oregon Five”– juveniles convicted of aggravated murder without an opportunity for parole. Cunio was a client of the law school’s Criminal Justice Reform Clinic, and clinic students worked on the cases that are featured in the podcast. More News and Events → Aliza Kaplan Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
