Megan J. Houdeshel
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 a diverse range of clinical placements, with five students working in clinical placements during the fall 2017 semester: Madeline Sandt (3L) worked on environmental dispute resolution; Parker Kenyon (JD 2018) and William Edwards (JD 2018) both spent the fall semester working in Washington, D.C. for the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resource Division; Parker worked in the Environmental Crimes Section, while William worked in the Environmental Enforcement Section. Despite residing in Washington, D.C., both Parker and William were able to enroll in Professor Jones’ and Professor Houdeshel’s Environmental Practice class, participating using the Law School’s Double Robotics Telepresence robots, which allowed them to attend class using a mobile iPad. Connor Plant (JD 2018) worked for the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Regional Solicitor and Jennifer Bower (3L) was placed with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Steven G. Jones
Four students are either currently working in clinical placements being supervised by Professor Jones and Professor Houdeshel or will be doing so in the spring of 2019. Abigail Benesh (2L) is currently working for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and Connor Klosterman (2L) is working for Utah Clean Energy, while Samantha Haw (2L) will be working at the Department of Interior’s Office of the Regional Solicitor Office this spring. Although not technically a clinical placement, Keslie Cooper (3L) has been employed half time at Dominion Energy since the summer of 2018 and will continue to work there this year while finishing her final year of law school.
Professor Jones once again gave the students in the Environmental Practice class the opportunity to learn first-hand about the legal implications and remedies related to 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 clinical opportunities for our environmental law students.