Current Law Clerks 

Orion Cruz                                               

University of Oregon, B.A. in International Studies  and Political Science 

“I applied to IELP because I am passionate about environmental issues and international affairs more broadly. The fact that IELP combines those two interests made it irresistible. I am excited to be able to contribute my time and energy through IELP to preventing climate chaos by encouraging international cooperation and stronger climate obligations.“

 

 

 

 

Rosalia Gobeo                                                 

University of Oregon, B.A. in Russian and Eastern  European Studies 

“I applied for IELP because two of my passions are environmental law and foreign cultures. Additionally, since most of our environmental issues are global issues they will require global solutions and I would love to be a part of that. I am looking forward to working with experienced international environmental law attorneys and gaining real-world experience while hopefully contributing to the protection of our planet.” 

 

    

Scott Hilgenberg                                              

University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A. in  Legal  Studies

“I have a passion for water issues, both domestic  and abroad. Through my experience at IELP, I hope to gain insight into the problems and legal frameworks necessary to address water issues. With millions of people lacking access to clean water and sanitation, it is imperative that legal minds work together to form creative solutions.”           

 

 

     

 

Sarah Jornsay-Silverberg                    

SUNY Binghamton, B.A. in Psychology

“I’m a transfer student from New York Law School where I founded the school’s first-ever Environmental Law Society! I spent this past summer interning for UNEP’s Division of Environmental Law & Conventions. My motivation for applying to IELP was my interest in climate change law, the opportunity to participate in UNFCCC COP 17 negotiations, and the ability to work on current, emerging, and unanswered climate change issues, especially in light of the uncertainty of the post-Kyoto       climate change regime.”

Sarah Perelstein                                                      

Rice University, B.A. in History and Asian Studies

“I worked for a few years at an international conservation and an animal protection non-governmental organization in Washington, D.C., and knew I wanted to practice international environmental law. I am most interested in species  protection and climate change. I’m so excited  about the incredible experiences we’ve already started to have with IELP — from participating in REDD calls with United States climate negotiators, analyzing issues critical to the climate negotiations for real life clients, and culminating in attending this year’s negotiations in Durban. I’m really looking forward to getting acquainted with CITES, too.“

 

 

Georgia Prim                                                         

Emory University, B.A in Sociology and Religion

“IELP is what made my decision to come to Lewis  & Clark Law School so easy. I have always had an interest in international policy. Climate change  concerns is what started my particular interest in  International environmental law. Finding out about IELP and that there was a way I could work on such matters while in law school, made deciding to apply to IELP an easy choice. I am most looking forward to getting first hand experiences with international environmental law and obtaining a deep understanding of the policies that govern international environmental law.”

 

 

 

Samantha Weinstein                                    

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, B.A. in  Philosophy                     

California Western School of Law, J.D.

“ There are very few opportunities to actually obtain experience in international environmental law while still in law school, because of both the cost of working outside of the United States and the competition for the few available positions. IELP is the only program that provides an at-home opportunity to become involved in the process, and I had to take advantage of the chance to participate. After all, sea lions do not care about international borders! I have always been interested in wildlife, marine animals in particular, and the global effects on their populations due to harms such as overfishing, pollution, and urbanization.” 

Lorena Wisehart                                             

Humboldt State University, B.S. in Botany

Oregon State University, M.S. in Environmental Science

“Prior to law school I worked as a conservation biologist, developing conservation strategies for endangered butterflies and plants in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, addressing the impacts of shellfish aquaculture on estuarine habitats, restoring coastal dune habitat for threatened plants and shorebirds, and developing management strategies for the protection of sensitive species. IELP interested me because the issues facing threatened and endangered species are, in many cases, global issues. I hope to work towards addressing large-scale environmental problems through involvement in international legal processes.” 

 

Jeffrey Van Name                                             

University of California, San Diego, B.A. in International Studies and Political Science

“With a focus on international development  during my undergraduate studies and subsequent internship work, the environmental issues relating to development became a central concern for me. The opportunity to address these environmental concerns along with their underlying human rights implications through working with IELP was a major factor in attending Lewis & Clark Law School. I am especially interested in law and policy relating to marine protection and management issues. I would love to work on marine conservation issues.  Even if I do focus on regional work, marine conservation always will have international implications and, as such, I intend to integrate international law into my work. I am looking forward to furthering my understanding of the framework in which transboundary issues operate, both its effective mechanisms and its limitations.”