This course provides an introduction to federal natural resources law, with an emphasis on living resources. In a mixed seminar format, we’ll survey the legal treatment of wildlife and biodiversity, fisheries and marine resources, water resources, forests and rangelands, protected public lands, multiple use public lands, and energy (as time allows). We’ll draw lessons from these fields to understand the themes and conflicts of environmental management generally, and the unique qualities of natural resources that render management efforts so difficult.

Credits: 6

Students work with assistant city attorneys on a variety of legal issues in a metropolitan setting. Students are paired with attorneys based on their substantive area of interest and also with a litigator.  The City has ongoing environmental, land use, and water projects, making this a good place for a student pursuing an environmental law certificate.

Credits: 6

Credits: 6-10
(Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C.)

Credits: 4
(Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Seattle)

Credits: 4

Credits: 4-6

Students work under the supervision of one of the Deputy General Counsels of DEP. Students handle cases that involve representing the Department in administrative hearings. Students gain experience in legal research, drafting of pleadings and motions, preparation of expert witnesses, depositions and settlement negotiations. 

Credits: 4

Credits: 6

Students are assigned to serve as an extern law clerk for an administrative law judge who primarily handles environmental cases at the Division of Administrative Hearings. Duties include legal research, drafting memoranda, and preparing orders. Students have an opportunity to improve their research, writing and analytical skills, and to gain an understanding of the jurisdiction and procedures of the Division of Administrative Hearings. Students gain exposure to substantive environmental law. 

Credits: 4-6