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Environmntal and Natural Resources Law Clinic

Professor(s)

Semester

2015 Fall

About This Class

The Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic functions as a public interest environmental law firm with a collegial atmosphere that encourages interaction and feedback among students and Clinic faculty. Under the supervision of experienced environmental attorneys, student clinicians represent community groups and conservation organizations in real-world cases and projects. Although the clinic experience varies from student to student depending on the cases and projects assigned, student clinicians typically learn how to: communicate with clients, experts, agency personnel, opposing parties, and the media; conduct site visits; investigate scientific, technical, and other factual information; gather public records using FOIA and state public record laws; engage in specialized legal research; draft and file court briefs and pleadings in compliance with local rules; conduct written and oral discovery; analyze complex legal and factual materials; develop legal theories, claims, and arguments; engage in strategic decision-making; negotiate with opposing parties and craft settlement agreements; and comply with ethical and professional standards. The goal of the clinical experience is to develop well-rounded professionals with a high degree of skill and judgment grounded in service to clients and respect for the environment and the rule of law. While learning the craft of lawyering, students are expected to give careful attention to the ethical aspects of practicing law, and to evaluate alternative approaches to resolving environmental conflicts.
Practicum, Classroom Component, and Clinic Hours: Required classes two days/week—one hour fifteen minutes each class. A student's schedule for the student's other clinic hours will be determined by the individual student in consultation with clinical faculty. Students who enroll in the Clinic may not enroll in courses that conflict with the required two/days a week ENRLC classes.
Legal Profession is strongly recommended for students enrolling in any clinic term. In addition, during the selection process, priority will generally be given to students who have successfully completed Administrative Law and Environmental Law (or another substantive environmental law course).
Registration: The ENRLC conducts interviews with interested applicants in the spring for the Fall Semester and in the fall for the Spring Semester. The ENRLC will also have a separate interview process for the summer. If a student is selected for the ENRLC by clinical faculty, the ENRLC will provide the Registrar's Office with a list of all accepted applicants and will register them for the course.
Full-time program, 13-credits; students may not register for another course in the semester they take the ENRLC without the express consent of the Director of the Clinic.
Method of evaluation is pass/fail (PH, P, LP, F)
Clinic faculty are happy to supervise AWR papers, but clinic writing projects usually cannot fulfill the AWR.

Class Code

CLI9302.A

Subject

Unspecified