Annie White

The PILP stipend allowed me to serve the public interest and pursue my passion of environmental and food justice through my work with Center for Food Safety (CFS). During my time as a law clerk at CFS, I completed a variety of exciting and complex assignments pertaining to the subjects of genetic engineering, organic animal welfare, and the pressing issue of pesticides and the detrimental effects they have on pollinators.

My assignments, varying in duration and complexity, were all hugely rewarding in the knowledge I gained and the skills I developed. I spent some time conducting document review and cite checking various pleadings. I wrote several memos involving legal issues of constitutional law and administrative law, drafted and submitted administrative comments to the USDA, and submitted a FOIA request to the EPA. Further, I had the great opportunity of drafting a complaint that was filed with the court during my time with CFS. Notably, I conducted declarant interviews and drafted their formal Article III Standing declarations.

Overall, my experience with CFS was far beyond anything I expected for my 1L summer. Not only was I given many amazing opportunities to develop me legal skills, I was given the privilege of working with some of the country’s most impressive legal minds. I learned a great deal from my supervising attorneys and I hope to work with them again in the future.