Tristan Parker

I have always been interested in environmental and natural resource law. As a Master’s student in International Relations in Australia, I was able to study the pervasive effects of imminent environmental and natural resource crises facing today’s world. This summer I will have a unique opportunity to put my interests and experiences into practice, as a legal intern for a multinational oil corporation in Cape Town, South Africa. Through this internship, I will gain exposure to some of the legal issues specific to business in one of the world’s most resource-rich and dynamic continents, as I assist with the legal department’s world-class compliance program, and international environmental stewardship. Environmental and natural resource issues pose unique, transboundary challenges to the global community, which demand a collaborative response. Lewis &Clark Law School is one of the few institutions in the world that can provide students with the skills required to address these challenges on a local and an international level. The Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program is what drew me to Lewis and Clark Law School, and I would relish the opportunity to assist the committee in maintaining the standard of excellence which makes the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program the best in the country.

The Natural Resources Committee plays an important role in shaping the Natural Resources and Environmental Law curriculum at the law school. As a member of the committee, I would work to uphold the diverse selection of coursework in environmental and natural resource law, while maintaining a constant dialogue with the student body regarding future courses and the selection of speakers and distinguished visitors. Already, I have noticed a growing demand in the student body for courses that reflect the nexus between business, international, and environmental law, which is an issue I will pursue if elected.