"Being an OCJ intern has made me decide that I want to do policy and advocacy work. This insight has helped me modify my career aspirations and also become more aware of many different policy and advocacy groups that do amazing work."

Kat's policy internship at OCJ helped her gain valuable experience by writing a public comment and a Request for Information (RFI), both new skills for her. Through her work supporting the Corporate Practice of Medicine bill and visiting the capitol during the legislative session, she immersed herself in policy and advocacy work, deepening her understanding of the legislative process and solidifying her interest in pursuing a career in this field.

As she continues her studies at Lewis & Clark Law, including roles in both their Animal Law Review and the Global Law Alliance clinic, Kat looks forward to returning for an externship with OCJ this Spring. She hopes to explore different aspects of OCJ's work and contribute to our policy efforts during the upcoming long legislative session.

"One of the most significant personal milestones for me [through this internship] was becoming much more comfortable with emailing people—a task that used to trigger panic attacks."

Nik shared that his policy internship at OCJ was an incredible experience, surpassing even his highest expectations. He had the opportunity to dive deep into researching and developing AI policy, which was a steep learning curve. However, he was thrilled to contribute valuable, pivotal information to support future AI legislation. Nik heads into his 3L year at Lewis & Clark Law this fall. He looks forward to returning to OCJ for an externship in the Spring.

"I learned how to draft legislative comments, concise action-oriented memos, and opposition letters, further honing my legal analysis and writing skills. I believe these skills will be invaluable to my future as both a lawyer and advocate with a passion for prioritizing public interest. "

During his OCJ policy internship, Felix contributed valuable support to our consumer protection and legislative efforts. He helped draft a memo for Representative Sosa addressing critical issues in automotive purchasing and financing. This project involved extensive research across multiple states, giving him a deep understanding of the used car sales and financing processes and how legislation and administrative rules intersect in consumer protection.

Felix also contributed to OCJ’s comments on HB 2002 Rules Advisory Committee by researching insurance providers' network adequacy and timeliness provisions for gender-affirming care. Additionally, his final presentation covered the regulation of Oregon’s telecommunications industry, exploring potential future consumer protections. These experiences deepened his knowledge of the legislative process, the complexities of health insurance regulations, and the intersection of federal and state regulations in telecommunications. While returning to Lewis & Clark Law, Felix will continue to build on this experience through an externship with OCJ this fall.