Jacqueline O’Keefe

This past summer I had the opportunity to work as a law clerk for the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center. KS Wild is a nonprofit that works to protect Oregon’s lands and promotes science-based land and water conservation through policy and community action. I worked under the direct supervision of two experienced lawyers who provided me with frequent feedback and were always willing to share their expertise. Some of the projects I was involved with included writing protests to timber sales in which old-growth trees were planned for removal, giving a speech at a protest of the Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Pipeline, partaking in an objection resolution meeting with the Forest Service, creating a guidance memo on timelines for FOIA requests, conducting legal research for an ongoing court case, and submitting comments to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on a Section 401 permit under the Clean Water Act. In addition, I also accompanied some attorneys on a backpacking trip in the Red Butte Wilderness area for Memorial Day weekend to see a part of the region that KS Wild protects.

The PILP stipend enabled me to pay for rent and other expenses in an area with a high cost of living, and ensured that I could dedicate my time fully to my work at KS Wild without having to take on a side job. Because of the PILP program, I was able to rent out a comfortable room in a house with two other young women. It also felt incredibly validating knowing that the hard work I put into my summer position was appreciated and supported by members of PILP and those who so graciously support the program.