Dean's Newsletter November 2021
Dear friends,
 
I can hardly believe it is already November. We have been engaged in a whirlwind of activity since we welcomed our students back to campus.

The stories below tell some of the tale: lectures and seminars, faculty honors, and vibrant clinic activity – along with our ongoing work to educate future attorneys. We are carefully venturing into our first in-person lecture since 2019, with the Huffman Lecture on November 8. Hopefully this lecture will mark the return of many more on- campus events this year.

Soon we will announce new faculty who will be joining our school. We have been interviewing to fill three faculty positions in Criminal Law, Property, and Lawyering. It is inspiring to hear candidates from around the country reaffirm what we already know: our remarkable spirit of collaboration and community is unusual and refreshing.

Finally, the Campaign for Lewis & Clark Law School is a full swing. “What the world needs most is what we do best. And what we do next depends on you.” I hope all of you will join us and support our exceptional students, faculty and programs.

 
My very best,
Dean Jennifer Johnson
Upcoming Events
November 8, 5:30pm
Christopher DeMuth will present the 2021 James L. Huffman Lecture in honor of the Western Resources Legal Center (WRLC). His lecture, titled “Executive Government and Its Reform," will be held on the law school campus, with an option to attend virtually. RSVP Here.

November 11– November 13, 2021 at the Doubletree by Hilton, Portland
Presenters at the conference include Professor Tung Yin, "Reforming Prosecutorial Immunity "and L&C Alum Marisa Peterson '15 "When an Undocumented Child is the Victim: Immigration Landscapes for Victim Advocates." Register Here.
SBLC Rural Entrepreneurs Program Provides Services
The Small Business Legal Clinic's (SBLC) rural entrepreneurs program engages with rural business owners, and organizations, and partners with Native communities both on- and off-Reservation. Native clients comprise approximately 50% of those served.

In the past year, client case matters have included IP protection work, entity formation, preparing contracts, and researching emergent COVID-19 precedent. Read More
Earthrise Prevails in Efforts to Protect Old-Growth Forests
A federal judge halted a 78-acre (31.5-hectare) commercial timber harvest in central Oregon at the request of Earthrise and on behalf of the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project.

Professor Tom Buchele and co-counsel Earthrise alum Jesse Buss ’12 obtained a preliminary injunction against the commercial logging of hundreds of large and old-growth trees in the Ochoco National Forest’s Walton Lake Recreation Area.  Read more...
Environmental Law Offers Master of Studies in Law Online Fall 2021
The Master of Studies in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law (MSL), a graduate degree for those who are interested in learning about environmental law but who do not wish to practice law or obtain a law degree, is now offered online. Read more...
Professor Receives Oregon State Bar’s Highest Honor
Aliza Kaplan, Professor of Lawyering and Director of the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic at Lewis & Clark Law School, received the Oregon State Bar’s highest honor, the Award of Merit. The award “recognizes an Oregon lawyer who has made outstanding contributions to the bench, the bar and the community at large, and who exhibits the highest standards of professionalism."
Professor Lisa Benjamin Receives the Huffman Scholarship Award
Professor Lisa Benjamin is the 2021-22 recipient of the Huffman Scholarship Award, which recognizes outstanding faculty scholarship. Professor Benjamin was selected for her paper, The Road to Paris Runs Through Delaware: Climate Litigation and Directors’ Duties, which was published in the Utah Law Review in 2020.
Dr. Carma Corcoran named Native Hope Fellow
Dr. Carma Corcoran, Director of the Indian Law Program, has been named a Native Hope Fellow. Her fellowship is focused on bringing hope and healing to tribal communities whose family members have been impacted by incarceration using Gentle Action Theory in conjunction with Traditional Ways. Read more...
Fellowship Name Change Reflects Social Justice Commitment
The Lezak Legacy Fellowship has a new name: The Lezak Social Justice Fellowship. Lezak Steering Committee Chair David Fauria ’16 explained “Our Lezak Fellows are on the frontlines as they work to break down barriers to access, address systemic inequalities, safeguard human rights, and protect our environment. Social justice has always been the Fellowship’s core value and now the name embodies that fact.”