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• Clinics and Experiential Programs
• Criminal Law Clinic
• Semester in Practice  
• Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic  
• South Royalton Legal Clinic  
• Land Use Clinic
• Judicial Externships
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Clinics and Experiential Programs

Land Use Clinic

The Land Use Clinic combines a two-credit classroom component with a four-credit placement experience. The classroom component of the course introduces students to the policies and procedures underlying Vermont's Environmental Court, to substantive issues that commonly arise in land use practice in Vermont and to the competencies that lawyers need for effective representation in this area of law. The four-credit placement component of the course requires 13 weeks at the placement for 14 hours-two days-per week at the placement; this is based on 45 hours per credit at the placement. Students will work under the direct supervision of attorneys who have agreed to supervise this intense placement model, collaborating with the classroom supervisor on the classroom component and, possibly, appearing as guest lecturers in the course.

The classroom component of the course will be taught by Adjunct Professor Catherine Gjessing,  General Counsel for the State of Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Professor Gjessing brings her knowledge of the Department and its legal work along with her years of practice and supervision of VLS students to her teaching. Class will meet on Mondays, from 5:25 pm to 7:25 pm.

Adjunct Professor Catherine Gjessing
Department of Environmental Conservation
103 South Main Street, Building 2 South
Waterbury, VT 05671-0491

catherine.gjessing@state.vt.us
802-583-7115

 

For the four-credit placement component of the course, students will be placed at the DEC's Agency of Natural Resources (ANR)  under the supervision of ANR attorneys handling a variety of land use projects for the agency. The placement commitment is 13 weeks at 14 hours per week, or two days per week during the entire semester.

The course is offered twice a year, in the fall and spring semesters.

It complements and supports the environmental law program at VLS by providing students the opportunity to understand how land use laws are developed, implemented, and enforced, and the role lawyers play in that process. 

Credits: 6 (2 classroom; 4 placement)

Enrollment Limit:  6

Prerequisites: Land Use Regulation