Community Development & Nonprofit Law Practicum:

Limit - 12 students

This class presents a unique opportunity to work on the cutting edge of community development law, by working on the inside of a nonprofit law firm providing real estate, corporate, tax and employment legal services to nonprofit clients who develop or provide housing, medical care, social services and other assistance to low-income Oregonians. Many of our clients are organizations serving disadvantaged racial, ethnic and immigrant groups. This practicum is ideal for students who intend to practice, or want exposure to, business and transactional law. It is also ideal for students who plan to work in the nonprofit sector, serve on nonprofit boards or use traditional business law tools to promote social justice. There is no other law firm like the CDLC anywhere else in Oregon and only a few in the country. Additional information about the CDLC can be found at http://law.lclark. edu/dept/blaw/cdlprogram. html.

In this practicum, students participate in weekly, two-hour seminars. Seminars cover topics such as selecting an appropriate business entity, setting up and obtaining tax-exempt status, advising nonprofit board members on their duties and liabilities, governance issues facing nonprofit boards, helping tax-exempt corporations structure for-profit business ventures, understanding key concepts in real estate transactions and development, understanding the roles of community development corporations, community land trusts and other nonprofits in providing affordable housing, and advising small employers on the critical employment law issues they face. Seminars are interactive, including elements such as mock client interviews, board meetings, issue spotting and problem-solving exercises based on actual case studies.

Students also spend eight hours a week representing clients from the Community Development Law Center’s office in downtown Portland. Students handle projects such as merger implementation, nonprofit and subsidiary formation, governance audits, contract drafting, land acquisition, loan document review, corporate resolution drafting, and preparation of personnel policies. Client contact and interaction is strongly encouraged when possible.

This practicum is limited to 12 students who have completed at least one and a half years of law school (day program) or two years (part time program). Students are graded on a credit/no credit basis. Students are not compensated for work performed in connection with the practicum.