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News Release

U.S. News Ranks Vermont Law School No. 1 in Environmental Law

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt.

​U.S. News & World Report today released its rankings for the Best Law Schools for 2017, recognizing Vermont Law School as No. 1 in the nation for environmental law. In the last 26 years, VLS has ranked No. 1 in environmental law 18 times and No. 2 eight times.

"This achievement is a reflection of our dedicated environmental faculty, who have long pushed boundaries and expectations to create second-to-none academic and clinical opportunities for our students," said VLS President and Dean Marc Mihaly. "I am proud of them, rankings aside, and am continually impressed by their legal expertise on critical environmental issues. They translate that expertise into practical opportunities and tools necessary for our students to become leaders in the law who will leave VLS prepared to effect positive change in the world."

VLS, which established the Environmental Law Center (ELC) in 1978, offers more than 64 courses related to the environment and environmental law, more than any other law school in the United States. The school's environmental clinics include the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, Energy Clinic, and Food and Agriculture Clinic. The ELC Summer Session, which offers 35 classes taught by 41 faculty, attracts scholars, lawyers, journalists, and environmental advocates from around the world.

"I thank my colleagues for their incredible contributions to the field of environmental law and for their commitment to our students," said Associate Dean Melissa Scanlan, director of the Environmental Law Center. "Their passion is immeasurable, yet evident in the breadth of their scholarship, in Vermont Law School's innovative academic programs, and in the success of our graduates who find meaningful work in a wide range of areas, from food security to national security."

For more information about environmental programs at Vermont Law School, including degrees and clinical training, visit the Environmental Law Center online at vermontlaw.edu/ELC.

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Vermont Law School, a private, independent institution, is home to the nation's largest and deepest environmental law program. VLS offers a Juris Doctor curriculum that emphasizes public service; three Master's Degrees—Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Master of Energy Regulation and Law, and Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy; and four post-JD degrees —LLM in American Legal Studies (for foreign-trained lawyers), LLM in Energy Law, LLM in Environmental Law, and LLM in Food and Agriculture Law. The school features innovative experiential programs and is home to the Environmental Law Center, South Royalton Legal Clinic, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, Energy Clinic, Food and Agriculture Clinic, and Center for Applied Human Rights. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.​