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The Stoel Rives partner being recognized later this month for his mentorship of high school students on the U.S. Constitution nearly didn鈥檛 become a lawyer.

Jim Westwood was a physics major at Portland State University and had begun a career as a TV meteorologist when, as he tells it, the math did him in. He then majored in history; a college adviser noted that his career options were to become a history teacher or go to law school.

Westwood went to law school for a year, dropped out to join the U.S. Navy and then earned his degree from Columbia Law School in 1974. He returned to Portland to join Miller Nash, and has been with Stoel Rives since 1999.

His interest in history led him to specialize in constitutional and appellate law. It also led him to volunteer as a We the People coach for Grant High School. He coached his daughter (2002) and son (2005), then continued to serve as a coach after they graduated.

鈥淢ost of the Grant coaches had kids on the team,鈥� Westwood says. 鈥淣ow the kids are long gone, but we still stick around because it鈥檚 such a great program.鈥�

Since 1983, the Classroom Law Project has used fun, innovative programs to teach Oregon students about civics, including the constitution, state and federal courts, and political issues.

Westwood says he relishes the chance to teach students not only about the Constitution鈥檚 history, but also how it impacts society from a practical standpoint today.

While coaching at Grant and some lower-income schools, Westwood has seen the program help teens living with drug-addicted parents and others who became the first in their family to go to college. Marilyn Cover, CLP鈥檚 executive director, praises Westwood鈥檚 willingness to coach at schools beyond his neighborhood.

鈥滻t鈥檚 really a wonderful model for us to have an attorney who is willing to head out into unknown territory, coach an underdog team and help those kids do their best,鈥� she says.

Westwood admits the honor makes him feel a bit guilty, noting his time with the students has made him a better lawyer and he feels privileged to serve as a role model.

鈥淚鈥檓 really just a token,鈥� he adds. 鈥淚 will be looking out over the crowd at the dinner and see 50 people who are coaches, and this is for them as well.鈥�

Westwood and Richard English, CLP鈥檚 Civic Educator of the Year, will be honored during the April 24 Legal Citizen Dinner, which also is CLP 鈥檚 annual fundraising effort. Registration information about the event is available on the.