Clinic Supervising Attorney 

PDSLC is opening an internal recruitment for an additional part-time (0.45 FTE) Supervising Attorney position for the University of Oregon School of Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic. This attorney will mentor clinic students, supervise their work on assigned cases, and ensure continuity of representation should a case extend beyond the duration of the student’s participation in the Clinic. This supervisor will join a team of three other attorneys dedicated to providing students with high-quality supervision while ensuring client-centered representation. 

All clinic positions are contingent on ongoing funding from the Oregon Legislature. Currently, funding is secured through the upcoming academic year, through the end of the Spring 2027 semester. 

Description of the Criminal Defense Clinic 

All law students in the Clinic are court-certified. They are assigned their own clients facing a variety of misdemeanor charges. Students are expected to manage all aspects of a case and appear in court with their clients. 

Each semester, students are divided into teams among supervisors. The Criminal Defense Clinic is unique in that it works with students with a range of skills, experience, and professional development. Applicants should be comfortable working with students across this varied range and providing individualized supervision for each student. 

Due to the nature of the Clinic, the number of students varies from semester to semester; accordingly, the workload will also vary. Students will typically carry no more than three clients at a time, though this may vary based on the type, status, and nature of the cases. 

Job Responsibilities 

The Clinic Supervising Attorney will join the supervision team, currently consisting of the Clinic Director and two other Supervising Attorneys. While you will be primarily responsible for your assigned students, all supervisors should be able and willing to assist all Clinic students and provide coverage, as necessary and feasible, for other supervisors when scheduling conflicts arise. 

Responsibilities of a supervisor include: 
  • Assisting students in preparing for client meetings and court appearances and being present for those meetings and appearances.  
  • Holding half-hour weekly one-on-one meetings with assigned students.  
  • Holding hour-long weekly team meetings with the group of assigned students.  
  • Assisting students as they move through every aspect of a case, including theme and theory development, motions practice, negotiation, client advisement, and trial preparation.  
  • Providing feedback to students throughout the semester on their performance and providing opportunities for growth.  
  • Maintaining general availability for students during regular office hours.  
  • Attending the class component of the Clinic, taught by the Clinic Director at PDSLC’s office on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. The length of the class varies throughout the semester. This class is a mix of lecture and practical trial-skills training.  
    • N.B. While supervisors are expected to attend the class component, they are not required to lead lectures, design syllabi, or implement curriculum. If a supervisor is unable to attend a particular class, they should inform the Clinic Director in advance but are not required to use any form of leave for the absence.  
  • Tracking student progress and outcomes and providing summaries to the Clinic Director at the end of each semester for reports required by OPDC/UO.  
  • Balancing their own reduced caseload with the responsibilities of the Clinic.  
  • For cases that extend beyond a student’s Clinic participation, including but not limited to clients who are on FTA status, set for trial, or participating in DUII/DA/CDR Diversions, continuing to provide client-centered representation to those clients.  

Above all else, this job requires ensuring that students provide the kind of client-centered representation that PDSLC strives to provide to all clients. Therefore, this job requires a careful balance between allowing students to learn and maintaining client-centered representation, stepping in to take corrective action when required. Supervisors are expected to keep PDSLC’s client-centered ethos in mind when making these decisions. 

Qualifications 
  • At least Tier 2/minor felony qualified with OPDC.  
  • A commitment to the practice of public defense at PDSLC.  
  • Ability to critically analyze their own practice and technique and motivation to share those skills with students.  
  • Interest in teaching and mentoring students in how to provide client-centered advocacy in the realm of public defense.  
  • Ability to work with students who have varying levels of experience, interest in public defense, and professional development.  
  • Ability to be flexible and work with student schedules.  
  • Ability to balance Clinic responsibilities with your own cases.  
  • Ability to track student outcomes and provide meaningful feedback.  
  • Willingness to apply to be a pro tem instructor with the University of Oregon (instructions provided after hire).  
  • Prior supervision experience is valued, but not required. 

     

Compensation 

Law School Supervising Attorneys are compensated at the same step and tier level as trial attorneys, in addition to a 5 percent-of-salary supervision stipend. The attorney will also receive a small pro tem stipend from UO, in an amount to be determined based on UO rates. 

How to Apply 

Please email your resumé and letter of interest to Rho Meter (personnel@lanepds.org) and Taylor Herbert (therbert@lanepds.org) no later than Friday, August 21. 

The Clinic starts August 24, 2026, so we intend to fill the position by August 31 at the latest.