Education

Preparing tomorrow’s advocates to defend our natural heritage

PEAC maximizes its impact through the work of talented and committed law students. While PEAC’s staff attorneys retain ultimate responsibility for case prosecution, students play a vital role in PEAC by participating in all phases of the clinic’s work. Students draft pleadings and motions, formulate arguments and strategy, and participate in client contacts.

In addition to receiving invaluable hands-on experience, students earn law school credit for their work with PEAC. The environmental clinic class supplements student casework by providing additional instruction on the practice of environmental law. The class meets once per week. Class topics include informal discussions about current projects, lectures on aspects of environmental practice, and contact with local practitioners.

The environmental community reaps benefits from increasing the pool of law school graduates with substantial real-world experience and training. PEAC students and externs are, literally, tomorrow’s advocates for our natural heritage. Many PEAC alums now lead the charge in working to preserve and protect the environment as attorneys in public interest, government, and private practice.