For many students, clinical law experience is an important turning point in their legal education when they can combine theory and practice to help real clients. For Noah Baslaw JD’25, his time in the Trusts and Estates Clinic was just that, an important opportunity to learn what it means to serve with purpose and to help those who need it most.
The clinic is a deep dive into the entire process of assisting clients with estate planning, from start to finish, all under the support and guidance of Professor Susan Cook JD’96. A majority of the clinic’s clients come from working with the Grand Ronde tribe in Oregon. In fact, in the fall of 2024, 21 of the 24 estate plans the clinic completed were for tribal members.
For a couple years, the clinic has hosted pop-up estate planning events at the Grand Ronde tribe’s activity center - bringing printers, papers, pens to help fully execute documents such as advance directives. They also work through a list of clients who need full estate planning services.
“We were hosting one pop-up event in the fall, but the waitlist got out of control. We want to be able to help as many people as we can,” says Cook. “For that reason, we came back in the spring of 2025 with a goal: finish the waitlist. And we’ll continue to return until that goal is accomplished.”
That kind of commitment is rare, but not in the clinic. Every student who joins takes ownership of the work. “They’re collaborative, supportive, and driven. We host drafting parties where we sit together, work, and share ideas,” says Cook.
For Baslaw, the experience of working with tribal elders was inspirational. “It’s been eye-opening to see how much support is needed, but also to see their strong culture and sense of community.”
He first met Veronica, a tribal elder, after a pop-up clinic in the fall. He sat next to her, talking, eating, and getting to know one another. That conversation led to Baslaw beginning to work with Veronica on what she wanted in her will. Together, they met and began to discuss Veronica’s wishes and how she wanted her belongings handled - her priceless, personal items. They also discussed travel, their shared love of cats, and Veronica’s upcoming marathon in Hawaii.
Though, during the process of meeting with her, Baslaw struggled to keep up with taking notes - Veronica was a fast talker. He asked her to write down her wishes herself, a decision that proved pivotal. Veronica passed away unexpectedly before her will could be drafted.
Now, Baslaw and Cook have the unique experience of working to get Veronica's handwritten notes accepted as her will by the court. This is the first time that Cook has had to navigate this legal issue, and she is working closely with Baslaw to make it happen for Veronica. He has been navigating the tribal probate process and working to reach compromises between interested parties before the court appoints a personal representative.While the legal process is interesting, for Baslaw it is more than that, it is a reminder that the work is not just theoretical.
He shares, “these are people’s lives, their stories, and it’s important we do everything we can as attorneys to get it right.”
Estate planning is not always welcomed with open arms, the clinic students and Cook have worked hard to build trust and remind people that there is something to plan for and that their legacies matter.
None of this, Cook emphasizes, would be possible without students like Baslaw. “He met people where they were. He sat down. He built trust. Without that connection, we wouldn’t be out there.”
At the heart of it all is a desire to grow the next generation of lawyers who do more than just practice law, but who shape the future by helping those most in need.
For Baslaw, the experience has left a lasting impact. “Working in the clinic showed me that even as a student, I could make a real difference. And that’s something I’ll carry with me,” Baslaw shares.
