William McLaren

I am a full-time 2L student with a background in environmental sciences and natural resource economics, and a continued interest in the field of natural resource law. I am responsible, respectful, and professional. Further, I have some experience in the area of study the committee oversees, and I believe that experience would lend to a better understanding and ability to participate in the committee’s activities.

Prior to law school, my studies and occupation centered on soil and water sciences at University of California Riverside. As part of their esteemed environmental sciences department, I conducted original resource on green metals, selenium toxicity, and soil chemistry in general. Further, my undergraduate education included a substantial number of classes focused on natural resource economics and the valuation of finite and infinite resources.

During law school, I have committed time to several environmental and natural resource related ventures. First, I participated in NEDC’s Water Group, where I completed a number of comments and notices of intent to bring action pertaining to the renewal of Clean Water Act permits. I then went on to work for a Multnomah County judge on a case that focused on CWA enforcement, providing him with statutory research and assistance with aspects of the case with which he was unfamiliar. Since then, I have continued to assist him with similar tasks. In addition, I worked for the Bonneville Power Administration’s Office of General Counsel, where a large portion of my work pertained to environmental and natural resource law. Since 2L year began, I have worked with a natural resource clinic, called WRLC, as well as devoted time to Environmental Law as a member and source-checker. I will soon run for an elected position on the journal, where I will likely be dealing with environmental law faculty more regularly. Finally, I will work with Iberdrola Renewables, a large renewable energy company, this coming summer. There I expect to learn quite a bit about the renewable energy trade; their mitigation of environmental impacts; and operating as in-house counsel for a private natural resource company.

My passion for and interest in natural resource law is abundant. I hope my career can focus on issues similar to those I have touched since law school, and I attempt to expand my knowledge on these subjects whenever possible. As the Natural Resource Committee Representative, I intend to be active and assertive, yet humble with my opinions and deferential to those with more experience and expertise than myself.