Lewis & Clark Law School is based in Portland, Oregon, with day and evening JD divisions. Its distinctive offerings include environmental law, animal law, small-business representation, and criminal justice reform.
This guide walks you through how to get into Lewis & Clark Law.
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1. Lewis & Clark Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics
Lewis & Clark Law Class of 2029:
- LSAT: 75th: 166 | Median: 162 | 25th: 159
- GPA: 75th: 3.83 | Median: 3.61 | 25th: 3.32
Lewis & Clark Law Class of 2028:
- LSAT: 75th: 166 | Median: 161 | 25th: 158
- GPA: 75th: 3.79 | Median: 3.59 | 25th: 3.24
The fall 2026 profile covers 208 entrants, compared with 176 in fall 2025. Both medians increased, as did the lower quartiles. The LSAT's upper quartile held steady while GPA increased across the distribution. These combined entering-class figures include day and evening students.
Aim to be at or above at least one median to be competitive. Above both puts you in a stronger position. Below both medians, this is a prayer, not a reach.
For context on how medians affect your strategy, see How to Build a Smart Law School List.
2. Lewis & Clark Law Application Essays
Personal Statement (required)
The school's instructions:
“There is no page limit, though a typical essay is 2-3 pages. Essays are read for writing ability as well as content. Specific topics may vary, however, the essay provides an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to learn more about you and should include information that is not otherwise apparent in your application.”
“You may write about your background, experiences, interest in law, aspirations, special abilities, or any topic that you feel will help readers of your application get a sense of you as a person and prospective law student.”
For more on how to write a personal statement, see my Personal Statement Examples and Personal Statement Guide.
Why Lewis & Clark Essay (required)
The school does not state a formal length restriction.
The school's instructions:
“This essay should convey why you’re interested in Lewis & Clark.”
For more on how to write a Why X essay, see my Why X Essay Guide.
Supplemental Statements (optional)
The school's instructions:
“You may submit an addendum to address anything in your file you wish the committee to consider when reviewing your file in full. Such a statement might describe your family, social, ethnic or economic background, or specific challenges you have faced.”
For more on how to write a diversity or perspective statement, see my Diversity Statement Examples and Diversity Statement Guide.
For more on making all of these essays work together, see my Cohesive Narrative Guide.
Addenda and Character & Fitness (if applicable)
Lewis & Clark requires answers to its character-and-fitness questions and explanations of relevant criminal charges, academic sanctions, and military discharges.
I'll be publishing a guide to addenda and character and fitness.
3. Lewis & Clark Law Resume Requirements
A resume is required. Include education, employment, activities, service, and honors, with clear dates and position titles. Make the responsibilities and commitments behind your record easy to understand.
For more on preparing your resume, see my Resume Examples and Resume Guide.
4. Lewis & Clark Law Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation; Lewis & Clark accepts up to three. Recent graduates should include an academic recommender. Applicants farther from college can use employers who know their work well. Avoid personal references from friends or family.
For more on recommendations, see my LOR Guide (Applicants) and LOR Guide (Writers).
5. Lewis & Clark Law Interview Process
Lewis & Clark's school-provided LSAC JD profile describes an optional interview as part of the admissions review.
Separately, Virtual Sidebars provide one-on-one phone or Zoom appointments with admissions staff. Campus visits also include admissions Q&A sessions. These conversations give you room to discuss the day or evening division, your interests, and questions that affect your decision to apply.
6. Lewis & Clark Law Deadlines and Decision Options
Testing Policy
Lewis & Clark requires the LSAT and CAS, including LSAT Writing. Scores must be from the preceding five years.
Application Dates and Fees
The application has no fee, and the school does not offer Early Decision.
Its annual admissions timeline lists:
- Applications open: September 15.
- Review begins: November, with initial decisions in December.
- International priority deadline: January 15, except for Canadian applicants.
- FAFSA priority deadline: February 15.
- General priority deadline: March 15; admission and scholarship offers continue afterward.
- Seat deposits: Two nonrefundable $300 payments. The first deadline appears in the admission letter, generally around mid-April; the second is June 5.
Apply early with a complete, strong file. Rolling review makes application timing relevant to both admission and scholarship consideration.
Program Formats
The Evening Division generally takes three and a half to four years. First-year students take eight to eleven credits, with classes usually between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Day students generally take thirteen to fifteen credits. After the first year, students can combine day and evening classes and change enrollment divisions.
7. Lewis & Clark Law Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merit Scholarships
The scholarship program provides automatic consideration for all admitted JD applicants. Incoming merit awards do not impose a GPA or class-rank condition beyond good academic standing. Many donor-named awards fund an existing scholarship rather than adding a separate award on top of it.
Dean's Scholarship for Excellence
This award recognizes academic achievement and professional promise. Renewal requires continued enrollment and good standing, not a higher scholarship-specific GPA. Read the award letter for the amount and terms attached to your offer.
Public Interest Support
The student-run Public Interest Law Project raises funding for summer awards and supports the Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Summer awards support student work, while loan repayment assistance addresses qualifying graduates' debt.
Cost of Attendance
For 2026-2027, annual tuition is $63,890 full-time or $47,902 part-time. Including the school's listed insurance, fees, living allowances, books, transportation, and personal expenses, the two-semester budget totals $97,965 full-time or $81,977 part-time. Those totals include estimated loan fees and exclude the final-year licensing allowance. Compare costs across the full length of your chosen program.
For more on scholarship strategy, see How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships.
8. Lewis & Clark Law Joint Degree Programs
Graduate joint-degree options include:
- JD/LLM in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law: Students can earn both degrees in approximately three and a half years rather than the usual four. The accelerated pathway connects the JD to advanced environmental study.
- JD/MBA: Offered with Portland State University, this combination generally takes four years rather than the five required to complete the degrees separately. Students begin with a year of law study before moving into the coordinated curriculum.
Applicants can seek the environmental joint degree when applying for the JD or after completing at least two semesters of law school. Admission to the JD is a prerequisite for the joint program.
9. Lewis & Clark Law Employment Outcomes (Class of 2025)
Lewis & Clark Class of 2025 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):
- Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 79.7%
- BigLaw (firms with 101+ attorneys): 6.5%
- Federal clerkships: 1.3%
- Public service (including government): 24.8%
Oregon was the largest employment destination, followed by Washington and California. Government and public-interest positions represented a substantial share of outcomes, while large firms and federal clerkships were smaller pathways. The placement pattern makes regional goals and scholarship terms especially important. An interest in Portland or the Pacific Northwest should connect to a realistic practice plan, not just a preferred place to live.
10. Lewis & Clark Law Areas of Study and Specializations
Environmental Law: Earthrise Law Center connects environmental study to litigation for public-interest organizations, tribes, and municipalities. Students can see how research, strategy, and motion practice translate environmental interests into legal representation rather than stopping at classroom discussion.
Animal Law: The Center for Animal Law Studies brings together animal law coursework, clinical work, and externships. The Animal Law Clinic gives students a setting for research, policy analysis, and legal drafting involving the treatment and protection of animals.
Climate and Energy Law: The Green Energy Institute studies energy regulation and the transition to cleaner electricity. Melissa Powers's teaching and scholarship connect climate policy to the legal rules governing electricity markets, renewable energy, and administrative decision-making.
Criminal Law: The Criminal Justice Reform Clinic works with incarcerated clients on matters such as parole, clemency, and resentencing. The National Crime Victim Law Institute provides a different perspective through work on victims' rights and the Crime Victim Litigation Clinic.
Business and Intellectual Property: The Small Business Legal Clinic serves businesses and nonprofits through entity selection, contracts, and intellectual property work. Its participation in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's clinic program adds supervised trademark and patent practice to that transactional foundation.
International Environmental and Animal Law: The Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment works across national and international legal systems. Its projects connect wildlife protection, treaty implementation, and legal research with clients and partners addressing cross-border environmental problems.
11. Lewis & Clark Law Clinics and Experiential Learning
Students undertake supervised legal work through several distinct clinics:
- Earthrise Law Center: Students research legal questions, draft pleadings and motions, and contribute to litigation strategy for environmental clients.
- Animal Law Clinic: Students conduct research, analyze policy, and prepare administrative or transactional documents addressing animal protection issues.
- Small Business Legal Clinic: Students advise clients on business structures, contracts, leases, and intellectual property, including supervised trademark and patent work.
- Low Income Taxpayer Clinic: Students assist clients with IRS and Oregon tax disputes through audits, appeals, and litigation preparation.
- Crime Victim Litigation Clinic: Students draft motions and amicus briefs addressing victims' rights, including privacy and participation in criminal proceedings.
- Criminal Justice Reform Clinic: Students interview clients, review records, and prepare petitions or motions involving parole, clemency, and resentencing.
- International Environmental and Wild Animal Law Clinic: JD and LLM students undertake research, writing, and problem-solving on Global Law Alliance projects.
Pro Bono and Experiential Learning
The JD requires six experiential credits. Approved externships place students under qualified attorney supervision; past animal law hosts include the ASPCA, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Oregon Humane Society.
The Pro Bono and Community Service Honors Award recognizes thirty qualifying unpaid, noncredit hours during the annual reporting period. It is a recognition program, not a universal graduation requirement.
12. Lewis & Clark Law Notable Faculty and Journals
Faculty
- Melissa Powers: Jeffrey Bain Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law. She founded the Green Energy Institute and has researched renewable energy regulation in Europe as a Fulbright Schuman Scholar.
- Erica Lyman: Professor of Law and director of the Global Law Alliance. Her international wildlife practice includes CITES implementation and work with governments on legal frameworks addressing wildlife trafficking.
- Susan Felstiner: Professor of Law working in the Small Business Legal Clinic. A Fulbright Specialist, she brings fourteen years of private practice at Cable Huston to transactional clinical education.
- Tung Yin: Professor of Law whose work covers criminal procedure and national security. His scholarship includes the 2025 book National Security Lies, alongside earlier white-collar defense experience.
Journals
- Lewis & Clark Law Review: A student-edited general-interest journal publishing legal scholarship across practice areas.
- Environmental Law: A quarterly, student-edited journal focused on environmental and natural resources law.
- Animal Law Review: A student-edited journal examining legal issues affecting animals, with an annual symposium that brings scholars and practitioners together.
13. Lewis & Clark Law Culture and Student Life
The wooded campus beside Tryon Creek State Natural Area gives Lewis & Clark a different physical setting from a downtown law school. Boley Law Library, the amphitheater, and shared student spaces anchor campus life. Portland remains the surrounding professional community rather than just a weekend destination.
The day and evening divisions bring students with different schedules and responsibilities into the same institution. The 2026 entering class had an average age of twenty-seven, with 62% coming from outside Oregon. Groups such as the Public Interest Law Project connect student participation to funding and support for public-service work.
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Related Reading
→ How to Build a Smart Law School List
→ Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?
→ How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships
→ 6 Proven Steps to Get Off a Law School Waitlist
→ How to Get Into Law School Below Both Medians
→ What Holistic Law School Admissions Really Means
→ Blog Directory
Note: While I try to keep this guide up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies at the Lewis & Clark Law website before applying.
Think you spotted an outdated requirement or something that doesn't look right? Email moshe@sharperstatements.com with the school and a link to the current information.