Available to:  2^nd and 3^rd year students

The Environmental/Administrative Law Clinic (“Environmental Clinic”) helps prepare students for a career in any complex statutory and administrative practice by providing an opportunity to work side-by-side with practicing attorneys on active environmental or natural resource cases.  Although the clinic’s substantive focus is on environmental issues, this clinic would be valuable to any student who hopes to engage in a complex administrative or regulatory practice.  Clinic may be taken for 2-3 hours of credit.

The Environmental Clinic is an in-house, public interest clinic in which students work on live, primarily local, cases in cooperation with Western Resource Advocates (WRA) and supervised by College of Law faculty.  Each student is assigned a case or a sub-issue in an active, unique, large-scale project or case.  Most projects require extensive writing and mastery of complicated factual and legal issues.  Weekly “rounds” meetings provide opportunities for students to think strategically and develop their ability to lead and participate in strategic discussions with other lawyers.  Over the course of the year, students may attend or assist with motions practice, discovery, administrative or judicial proceedings, client meetings, and meetings with experts.  Due to the complexity and responsibility associated with each project, participating students are strongly encouraged to commit to participate for a minimum of two consecutive semesters (which may include summer term).

Although the Environmental Clinic is strongly recommended, a limited number of individual placements are also available at the Department of Interior Solicitor’s Office, the Environmental Dispute Resolution Program, or with other appropriate outside supervisors with special approval.

Pre- or co-requisites:  Environmental Law, Administrative Law, or Natural Resources Law; and Environmental Practice.

Course:  Environmental Practice (2 cr., graded, Year-long). This course focuses on the practical, procedural and strategic aspects of practicing environmental and natural resources law through readings and simulated exercises.  The course uses exercises designed around environmental statutes, such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Community Right-to-Know Act, and CERCLA, to build and develop necessary practice skills. Exercises might include client counseling, witness interviewing, drafting administrative and citizen suit complaints, settlement negotiations and rulemaking practice.  Note:  This course is not a substitute for the substantive survey courses in environmental law or natural resources law. Registration is not limited to Environmental Clinic students, but preference is given to clinic students if space is limited.

Placements (P/F): Students can enroll for 2-3 credits. Placements include: 

• Environmental Clinic – students work with Western Resource Advocates, a non-profit environmental law and policy organization on regional issues involving water, energy, and public land policy.  Additionally, supervision by College of Law faculty helps students develop superior writing skills. Regular meetings involve feedback, reflection, and strategic thinking.  
•  Solicitors’ Office of the Department of the Interior – students work with attorneys in the Solicitor’s Office on public land and natural resource law on behalf of various entities within the Department of the Interior (including potentially the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Park Service). (Subject to individual acceptance by the Solicitor’s office.)
• Other placements may be arranged on an individual basis.

Faculty: Professor Jamie Pleune

Registration & Placement: This clinic is limited. Students may enroll in the course online. To enroll, complete the Clinical Program Application Form and submit it with a short statement of interest/prior experience.

LAW 7260-001: Environmental Practice                           Fall: Mondays, 8:00–8:55 am
                                                                                                  Spring: Mondays, 9:10–10:05 am

LAW 7261-001: Environmental Clinic  (In- House)        Fall: (2 – 3 credits) Mondays 9:10-10:35 am
                                                                                                 Spring: (2–3 cr.) Mondays, 8:00 – 8:55 am or
                                                                                                 as arranged