Clinics & Other Practical Skill Opportunities

International Environmental Law

The International Environmental Law Project (IELP) focuses its work on developing, implementing, and enforcing international environmental law. Students work alongside their clinical professors, clients from around the world, and policy and scientific experts on the cutting edge of international environmental issues to address some of the most pressing global issues. Clients and partners include international non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and foreign governments. IELP’s work ranges from addressing the rhino and elephant poaching crisis to representation of small island States in the climate change negotiations, to advocating for international trade rules that support environmental policy.

IELP students hone important practical skills such as negotiation techniques, legal drafting, oral advocacy, and cultural competency. When opportunities arise, students travel to international meetings, such as the climate change negotiations, to represent client and partner interests.

Students work under the direction of  Professors Chris Wold and Erica Lyman, who are both also active international environmental attorneys.

Animal Law Clinic

As the only animal law clinic in the country, the Animal Law Clinic (ALC) at the Center for Animal Law Studies focuses on matters of national and international importance, in addition to maintaining connections and working in the local community.

The clinic serves as a resource for students, professors, attorneys, organizations, media, and individual clients. The ALC assists organizations and attorneys involved in animal protection litigation, legislation, and policy work as well as researches and analyzes developments in animal protection law.

Animal Law Clinic students have worked on a number of international legal projects.  They represented a chimpanzee sanctuary in Camaroon assisting with business filings, and worked collaboratively with students in Spain and Switzerland conducting research on a number of animal law topics.  Currently, the Animal Law Clinic is working on matters related to the Kenya Legal Project.  Students have prepared reports comparing the U.S. approach to environmental, wildlife, and animal cruelty laws to Kenya’s legal systems and structures.  They are currently working on behalf of two Kenyan NGOs to compile information about the U.S. legal system related to poaching and other wildlife crimes. Some clinic students also participated in the course in Kenya and were able to share their work directly with our clients in Kenya.

Clinical Internships & Externships

A clinical internship seminar allows a student to receive credit for working 10 hours a week while attending a weekly seminar. A student can be placed with a private corporation, government agency, or attorney doing legal work involving global law issues. Students may also opt for an externship that involves international matters, including placements in India or China.