Clinical Internship Seminar: Animal Law

Limit: 4 students

A legislative clinical program aimed at improving animal protection laws throughout the country. Participants will acquire a substantive knowledge of the legislative process through clinical study and practical experience in the development of primarily local-level animal protection laws.

Through a collaboration between the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), a national non-profit legal organization, and Lewis & Clark Law School’s Center for Animal Law Studies, law student participants will have the unique opportunity to research, analyze, develop, and advance local legislation, while working at ALDF’s downtown Portland offices under the guidance of attorney Stephan K. Otto, ALDF’s director of legislative affairs. Participants may have the occasion to work on select state-level issues as well.

Equipped with the experience and skills gained through this program, participants will be better prepared for future work in government and administrative agencies, as well as to represent a variety of clients with government and public policy interests.

Participants attend and participate in weekly interactive seminars, which will cover a variety of legislative issues (including statutory construction, strategy, legislative history, preemption and conflicts, lobbying and other related topics) and include a discussion of ongoing projects. In addition, participants also spend the equivalent of 8-10 hours a week working on projects, both in the clinic and independently, to the satisfaction of the supervising attorney. Any participant missing the orientation or more than 20% of the clinic sessions may be administratively withdrawn.

Seminars and clinic sessions will take place on Fridays at ALDF’s downtown offices between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The office is conveniently located approximately 3 blocks from the Pioneer Express Shuttle’s downtown stop.

CIS: Animal Law Legislation is a 3-credit (credit/no-credit) course. The course satisfies both the seminar and professional skills requirements. Enrollment is limited and applicants for this seminar will be screened. To apply, submit a one-page letter of interest to the Registrar by the deadline for registration.

Suggested course: Animal Law

Note: Students are not compensated for work performed in connection with the CIS.