Student Clinicians
At this time, up to 10 qualified students are selected for the spring and fall semesters as well as for the summer term. Students have the option of enrolling part-time for six credits, three-quarter time for 9 credits or full-time for 13 credits during the regular academic year. Third-year students and second-year students in the spring semester are eligible to apply. Administrative Law, Evidence and Environmental Law are preferred but not required. During the summer, the clinic also offers Vermont Law School students who have completed at least one year of law school the option to work in the clinic as a volunteer or for work study funds, as well as the option to earn nine credits towards a student's MELP or JD.
Students are selected for the program based on academic achievement, relevant work experience, and research and writing skills. Additionally, students must demonstrate a sincere interest in environmental and natural resources issues. Finally, we select students who have demonstrated the interest and capacity to devote a minimum of 20 hours (part-time students), 30 hours (three-quarter time students) or 40 hours (full-time and summer students) to the clinic and who acknowledge that the demands of litigation may require a commitment of additional time above the minimums.
Although the ENRLC simulates an actual law office setting, scheduling is fairly flexible to accommodate students’ classroom commitments. Students are expected, however, to be present at mandatory weekly seminars presented by the faculty, staff, and guest speakers, as well as, two-hour docket review sessions to discuss case strategies and related topics. The director and associate director work to match students’ interests with on-going projects and cases.
The clinic provides students with an intense, hands-on lawyering experience. Students learn about criteria necessary to select cases and how to develop case strategy. They put their acquired research, writing, and theoretical skills to practical use as they draft briefs, motions, memoranda, and discovery-related documents. Student clinicians attend and occasionally participate in negotiations, hearings, and court and administrative proceedings. Students frequently meet and correspond with the clinic’s clients. The clinic’s cases take place in both federal and state courts and administrative venues, so students become familiar with a range of court and agency procedures.
The atmosphere of the clinic is supportive and non-competitive. Students, faculty, and staff work cooperatively on behalf of our clients and the clinic faculty strive to ensure that students learn to be principled lawyers and effective environmental problem-solvers.
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