Environmental Law and Policy Lab

This is a unique course in which students, individually or in teams, work under the supervision of skilled attorneys with years of city, state, federal and international environmental advocacy experience on a semester-long project with real non-profit, or community clients. Topics may include: oil and gas drilling, endangered species protection, climate change, urban agriculture, fisheries management, and more. The course walks students through the full process of representing a client on policy and/or legislative matters. Each class focuses on a specific skill—drafting and signing client retainers, crafting legislation, lobbying, writing Freedom of Information Act requests, using press releases and radio/TV interviews—as an advocacy tool, and more. Activities may include: drafting agency regulations or state or federal legislation; organizing community action; and participating in stakeholder working groups, agency or legislative hearings, or other meetings and events. The course includes weekly discussions on procedure and related environmental law and advocacy issues, supplemented by guest speaker presentations. These complement the hands-on, “real work” activities and provide diverse experiences for students that will prepare them to engage in this field post graduation. Students completing the course earn three experiential learning credits and one skills credit. Space is very limited - usually up to six students. Enrollment requires Professor approval.

Environmental Law and Policy: Florida Keys (May Term Only):  This intensive two-week course provides an overview of the environmental laws, policies, and decision-making processes specifically related to coastal and marine resources in the United States, using the Florida Keys ecosystem as a micro study. It teaches strategic thinking and advocacy, integrating doctrine, theory, skills, and legal ethics, in performing professional skills. Space is very limited - usually up to eight students. Enrollment requires Professor approval.