Legal writing is the primary tool by which lawyers accomplish their work. Whether writing to a judge, a supervisor, an opponent, or a client, every lawyer needs excellent writing and analytical skills. The mission of Oregon Law’s Legal Research and Writing (LRW) Program has remained consistent for over 45 years
— to prepare students for real-world legal practice.
LRW is ranked #1 in the nation among legal writing programs according to US News & World Report.
Oregon's LRW program is #1 for the sixth year in a row and has ranked in the top ten legal writing programs in the United States for 19 consecutive years.
DISTINGUISHED. INNOVATIVE. ENDURING.
Rocklin Chosen to Lead Nation’s Top LRW Program
An award-winning educator and trusted mentor to legal writing faculty nationwide, Clinical Professor Joan Rocklin will lead Oregon Law's Legal Research and Writing Program. Rocklin is widely recognized for her contributions to legal writing education, including co-authoring the influential books, A Lawyer Writes and An Advocate Persuades. In 2024, she was awarded the Legal Writing Institute’s Influential Teaching Award. Having served Oregon Law and its students for over 25 years, she is proud of the many lawyers who began their career in Oregon Law’s legal writing program. Rocklin is committed to continued innovation and student-centered teaching.
A national leader in integrating generative AI into legal writing education, Clinical Professor Rebekah Hanley helps educators and students navigate the technology’s ethical implications, opportunities, and challenges. Through innovative curriculum design, influential scholarship, and national engagement, she is shaping how law schools prepare future lawyers for a changing profession. The Legal Writing Institute recognized her with the Mary S. Lawrence Innovation Award in 2026.
With expertise in academic support and teaching for transfer, Clinical Professor Megan McAlpin launched the “Pedagogy Project,” which advances faculty collaboration around initiatives that strengthen student learning and prepare them for practice. The University of Oregon recognized her work designing the Pedagogy Project as well as her talent in the classroom and awarded her the Herman Faculty Achievement Award forDistinguished Teaching.
Building upon her research into student reading practices, Clinical Professor Liz Frost is now investigating how law students engage with texts and how those insights can inform curricular design. As both a board member and then as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Legal Writing Institute, Frost has also long supported the scholarship of others. That work continues in her role as the faculty instructor for Oregon Law’s three journals.
Recognizing a lack of resources aimed at educating and training in-house attorneys, Associate Clinical Professor Bryan Dearinger is now co-authoring a first-of-its-kind legal skills textbook for current, new, and aspiring in-house counsel. Leveraging his decades of government and in-house legal experience, the textbook offers practical guidance to students, educators, and practitioners about the realities of a modern organizational legal practice.
We honor Professor Emerita Suzanne Rowe, whose leadership as the University of Oregon’s LRW Program Director helped establish and sustain Oregon Law’s LRW Program as one of the nation’s premier legal writing programs. Professors nationwide have benefited from her mentorship, scholarship, and unparalleled commitment to the legal writing discipline. Generations of students have benefited from her expertise as a teacher and devotion to her students. Her ongoing presence in the classroom ensures that they will continue to benefit for years to come.
Learn more about Legal Research and Writing at Oregon Law.
Galen Endowment for the Advancement of Legal Writing
Established in 2013 to enhance writing education at Oregon Law, the Galen Endowment for the Advancement of Legal Writing is supported by generous funding from alumnus Morris Galen (Oregon Law, ’50).
Learn More about the Galen Program
“Professor Rowe and first year Legal Research and Writing (LRW) defined my experience at Oregon Law. During the midst of 1L, the small LRW class size allowed me to grow comfortable among a smaller group of my peers. Additionally, Professor Rowe took the time to meet with me individually to both help me improve my writing and research skills and also get to know me on a personal level. Even at times when I felt imposter syndrome setting in, Professor Rowe made me feel like I belonged at Oregon Law.”
—Nicole Curtis, JD ‘20
Oregon Legal Writer
Created by Professor Suzanne Rowe and featuring essays from Professor Elizabeth Ruiz Frost and others, The Legal Writer column takes a lighthearted look at the essential tool of lawyers and law students: writing.
A complete list of articles appearing in The Legal Writer are posted on the OSB archive for The Legal Writer.
Award-Winning Faculty: our LRW professors have won multiple teaching awards
Oregon Law’s faculty are nationally known and routinely hold leadership positions in major legal writing organizations. Together, they bring nearly 100 years of combined teaching and practice experience and a deep commitment to supporting students’ educational and career success.
Support the LRW Program
The LRW Program prides itself on providing students with excellent instruction, skills-based learning opportunities, and real-world experiences.
Learn more about how you can support LRW at Oregon Law.
