The three-part Emerging Environmental Law Curriculum series is open to law faculty across the country.
SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. (Jan. 19, 2021) – The Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law School (VLS) has announced the launch of a new roundtable series focused on the future of legal education. During three virtual events in January, February, and March, law faculty from across the country will convene to discuss how environmental law programs can best prepare students to meet the challenges of the future.
With environmental challenges expanding in urgency and complexity, the role of a legal education has never been so important. Yet, according to a recent report from the American Bar Association, ‘Our established system of legal education and licensure is preparing the next generation of legal professionals for yesterday rather than for tomorrow . . . for a world that will not exist sooner than we might like to imagine.’”
A continuation of the Environmental Law Center’s 2019 Emerging Environmental Law Curriculum Conference, this series will expand on the issues explored in 2019, as well as dive into new questions, such as: What should an environmental law curriculum look like in the upcoming decades? Which professional fields are growing? And what skills will students need to be well-suited for these positions?
With discussions led by Vermont Law School Associate Dean for Environmental Programs Jenny Rushlow and Professor of Law Jonathan Rosenbloom, the roundtables will feature faculty panelists from law schools across the U.S. Each event will address a different phase of student development: from in-class doctrinal courses, to creative and critical thinking skills, to clinical and experiential work. Panelists will also discuss how, if at all, the environmental law community can address the Principles for Legal Education and Licensure in the 21st Century as outlined by the ABA.
The first roundtable, scheduled for January 28, at 3:30 p.m., focuses on “The Essential Environmental Curriculum.” Panelists include Keith Hirokawa, Albany Law School; Elizabeth Kronk Warner, S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah; and Steph Tai, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The second roundtable on February 25, titled “New Techniques in the Classroom and Beyond,” features panelists Karrigan Bork, UC Davis School of Law; Lincoln Davies, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; and Sarah Krakoff, University of Colorado.
The final roundtable, scheduled for March 25, addresses “Preparing for Environmental Practice.” Panelists include Cale Jaffe, University of Virginia School of Law and Helen Kang, Golden Gate University.
The events are free and open to current law faculty members. Participation in all three is encouraged but not required. Visit vermontlaw.edu/eelc to access event descriptions, the full list of panelists, and links to registration.