Who we are

The CLDC is a nonprofit organization of practicing public interest attorneys and organizers focused on defending and upholding the rights of activists through education, outreach, litigation, and legal support. The CLDC formed in January 2003.

Our goals include: 1) Making the progressive social change movement in Oregon and around the country more effective by educating activists about their rights; 2) making sure activists have adequate legal protection from corporate and government attacks on their civil liberties; and 3) helping organize a movement to confront threats to our rights from the USA PATRIOT Act, AETA, and other right-wing initiatives.

To accomplish these goals, we: 1) Provide activists with free or reduced rate legal representation for activists working on a variety of environmental and social justice causes (and provide referrals); 2) act as a resource for activists and activist attorneys by providing free legal advice, legal research, legal briefs and trainings; and 3) organize other attorneys, activists and the general public in campaigns to stop attacks on civil liberties.

How we mentor

Law Clerks

Fall & Spring Semesters: During the academic year, the CLDC offers a variety of pro bono clerkship opportunities. The number of hours required varies depending upon the clerk and our schedules. Clerks provide research and litigation assistance to the CLDC on an assortment of government and police misconduct cases, protestor defense cases, and timely topical and legislative research topics.

Due to our staff size, we are able to supervise only 2 clerks per semester. We are willing to consider long distance/electronic clerkships for students attending law schools other than the University of Oregon, but we prefer working with students locally in Eugene, Oregon.

Summer Program: Legal interns perform 200 hours of legal research and/or program work regarding a plethora of civil liberties issues. Law Clerks often “shadow” Lauren Regan (founder, staff attorney and director of CLDC) wherever she goes, including Court appearances, action camps, trainings and protests, as well as depositions and other litigation based events.  You will receive a very hands-on experience at activist legal support.  Past interns worked on police misconduct litigation, mass-protest defense in multiple states including Climate Justice, environmental, animal rights, immigration and labor movement work, anti-SLAPP defense work, anti-spying and security culture work, and much much more.  We will also continue developing and updating our brief bank databases for attorneys, websites, activist toolkits and presentations. Attorney Lauren Regan will supervise this intern position.

We strongly encourage applicants to secure funding through their schools, the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), or other public interest funding sources as we cannot guarantee any funding at this time. We willingly cooperate in any way possible to assist students to secure fellowships, stipends, or private grants that are able to fund their summer work with the CLDC. We are also more than happy to assist clerks attempting to secure academic or other credit through their schools as well.

We require all summer clerks to work from our Eugene, Oregon office.  Diverse applicants with activist backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Deadlines

Fall clerks should submit their materials by June 30th
Fall term begins on approximately September 1st

Spring clerks should submit their materials by December 1st
Spring term begins on approximately January 15th

Summer clerks should submit their materials starting on November 1st. Applications will no longer be accepted after December 31st
Summer term begins on approximately June 15th

CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TO SCHEDULE TELEPHONE OR IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS.

Undergraduates and Others

The CLDC offers internship opportunities for undergraduates and other people who are serious about contributing to the program work of our organization. We participate in providing academic credit to a variety of colleges and universities. We select 2 non-law student interns per term. Unfortunately, these positions currently are pro bono (unpaid). Interns work with the staff and attorneys on program research, outreach, and litigation support. We also offer internships for students looking for nonprofit or fundraising experience as well.

Interns provide 8-10 hours of work per week. Depending on the project or assignment, some of this work can be completed outside of the Eugene office.

Deadlines

Fall interns should submit their materials by September 1
Fall term begins on approximately October 1

Winter interns should submit their materials by December 1
Winter term begins close to January 1

Spring interns should submit their materials by March 1
Spring term begins on approximately April 1

Summer interns should submit their materials by May 1
Summer term begins approximately June 20
(Summer internships are more competitive, so we encourage you to apply early)

How to Apply

Please provide us with the following materials—electronic format is fine:

• Cover letter illustrating your public interest background or desires, when you want to commence your internship with us, and any other special needs or considerations we should know about in evaluating your application.
• Your current resume
• 4 references, including at least 1 that can attest to your public interest or activist experience
• You will be required to submit our volunteer application for security screening and confidentiality purposes after you have been interviewed
• Please specify which term you are applying for in your cover letter

Please contact info [at] cldc.org with any concerns or questions.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) does not discriminate with respect to employment, membership, or provision of services on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, socio-economic background, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, national origin, ancestry, status with regards to public assistance, or immigration status. The CLDC is committed to diversity in staff, leadership and membership. Our outreach, recruitment, and hiring practices reflect our commitment to actively developing the skills of a diverse community.