The Environmental Law Clinic completed another successful and productive year working with a variety of community partners. Adjunct Professors Megan J. Houdeshel and Steven G. Jones supervised students in diverse clinical placements. James Owen (JD 2017) worked on environmental dispute resolution during the fall of 2016 and then had a paid EDR fellowship during the spring 2017 semester. Emma Whitaker (JD 2017) was placed in the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Division of Natural Resources during the fall semester of 2016, and then worked for the Center for Biological Diversity in the spring semester of 2017, supervised by Douglas Wolf, CBD Attorney in the CBD’s Public Lands Program.
Five students are currently working in clinical placements during the fall 2017 semester: Madeline Sandt (2L) is working on environmental dispute resolution; Parker Kenyon (3L) and William Edwards (3L) are both working in Washington, D.C. for the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resource Division; Parker is working in the Environmental Crimes Section, while William is working in the Environmental Enforcement Section. Despite residing in Washington, D.C., both Parker and William are currently enrolled in the Professor Jones’ and Professor Houdeshel’s Environmental Practice class, participating using the Law School’s Double Robotics Telepresence robot, which allows them to attend class using a mobile iPad. Finally, Connor Plant (3L) is working for the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Regional Solicitor and Jennifer Bower (2L) is working for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Professor Jones once again gave the students in the Environmental Practice class the opportunity to learn first-hand about the legal implications and remedies for the Red Butte Oil spill that occurred in 2013. Having been legal counsel for Chevron during the remediation and resolution of that issue enabled Professor Jones to share unique perspectives with the students. Additionally, Professor Houdeshel provided the students with insights into the myriad of environmental issues that arise in real property transactions and in permitting processes. These are just some of the many practical experiences that Professors Jones and Houdeshel have shared with the students to give them an idea of how the complicated web of environmental statutes and regulations are implemented in the “real world.” The Stegner Center looks forward to another year with ever expanding opportunities for our environmental law students.