The Environmental Law Course of Study guides students in selecting a set of courses that provide the substantive foundation for Environmental Law practice. In addition to studying major federal environmental laws, students will develop a solid grounding in the principles of Administrative Law, which governs the procedures that environmental agencies follow. These courses also provide necessary background knowledge in key constitutional doctrines, such as takings, standing, and rules governing separation of powers. Students also can delve more deeply into several specific subjects in small classes and develop an appreciation for the policy choices and regulatory instruments used in the field. Students who want to see how Environmental Law is practiced may take advantage of an experiential-learning opportunity, such as an externship with environmental groups or public agencies, or participation on the National Environmental Moot Court Team or the Environmental Negotiation Team.
Foundational Courses
- Environmental Law
- Administrative Law or the first year version of this course, Introduction to Administrative Law.
Other Related Courses
- Animal Law
- Climate Change and the Law
- Construction Law and Sustainable Development
- International Environmental Law
- Land Use Controls
- Legislation and Statutory Interpretation
- Local Governments and the Environment Seminar
- Local Government Law
- Local Government Law Practicum
- Natural Resources Law Seminar
- Public Interest Law Practice Seminar
- The Government Lawyer
Experiential Opportunities
- Externships are available with nonprofit environmental law groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council or the Orange County Coastkeeper. Externships are also available with public agencies that do important environmental work. These agencies include the California Attorney General's Office (the Environment Section or the Natural Resources Section, both of which do most of the state's environmental litigation); the District Attorney's Environmental Crimes Division; the City Attorney's Environmental Protection Unit; the South Coast Air Quality Management District (the largest air quality agency in the country except for the federal EPA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (with responsibilities for, among other areas, marine endangered species and oil spills).
- National Environmental Moot Court
- Green Energy Project Development and Finance
For more information on this course of study, externships, or other experiential opportunities, contact the Faculty Advisers: Prof. Dan Selmi and Prof. Katherine Trisolini.