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Law Clinics at Willamette Law

Become a practice-ready lawyer. Join one of our law school clinics to apply your knowledge to real-world clients and scenarios.

Oregon Civic Justice Center where the clinical law program lives.

Build Knowledge Through Experience

Our law clinics give students the opportunity to engage directly in real-world legal work. Under the guidance of experienced faculty, students represent clients and tackle meaningful issues. Each clinic offers distinct, practical experience that prepares students for professional practice.

  • Two law students approaching the bench in a courtroom

    Immigration Clinic

    Assist clients with immigration cases from start to finish—interviewing, researching, preparing filings, and appearing in court with faculty guidance.

  • Two students inside a courtroom

    Criminal Defense Clinic

    Represent clients in misdemeanor cases and build confidence as an advocate. Students handle client communication, motion practice, and courtroom appearances under faculty supervision—developing the practical skills needed for a successful criminal defense career.

  • A group of law students discussing a case

    Trust and Estates Law Clinic

    Help clients make informed decisions about their futures while gaining practical experience in estate planning. Students meet with clients to discuss their goals, then draft wills, trusts, and medical directives tailored to each situation. With close faculty supervision, students develop confidence in client interaction, drafting, and ethical judgment.

During the first two years of law school, students learn to think like a lawyer. The Clinical Law Program teaches them to be a lawyer.

Learning In Our Clinical Law Program

Second- and third-year law students at Willamette can apply their knowledge to the practice of law. Students learn critical lawyering skills, including client interviewing, development of legal strategy, pre-trial and trial litigation skills, document drafting, negotiation, and trial practice.

Our Clinical Law Program prepares students to showcase their command of substantive legal issues and procedures. They learn the rules of professionalism through working with clients. Faculty instill an appreciation for promoting justice and equity in the practice of law.

Why Willamette Our Signature Strengths

Public Benefits Our Clinics Offer

In keeping with the long tradition of legal clinics as “living models of justice,” our clinics seek to provide legal representation to clients who would otherwise have a difficult time paying legal fees. Our Clinical Law Program is committed to fulfilling this critical legal role in Oregon. Students provide legal services that benefit the community while enriching their experience in law school.

A group of law students outside a law building near the Oregon State Capitol

Additional Information

A law school clinic provides students with practical experience. Law students gain exposure to real-world cases with the support of seasoned attorneys. Clinics focus on specific areas of legal practice and provide services at a reduced cost or no cost.

At Willamette, we provide a unique experience for our students. Our clinical programs provide students the opportunity to become directly involved in cases, serving clients, and arguing in court. Our legal clinics provide practical experience that helps students transition into a legal career.

Law school clinics offer students the opportunity for applicable experiences. These schools provide different clinical programs to help students gain a stronger conviction about their legal career. Students can gain valuable experience for their future at law firms, private businesses, organizations, or the government.

Willamette University School of Law focuses on three topics: immigration law, criminal defense law, and trust and estate law.

Willamette University

School of Law