For Nick Thierry, MSL ’24, pursuing a Master’s in the Study of Law (MSL) in Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy Law was an opportunity to build on a decade of experience in renewable energy while gaining a deeper understanding of the legal frameworks shaping environmental issues.
Before entering the program, Nick worked at publicly traded renewable energy companies and utilities, focusing on community engagement, renewable energy policy, environmental justice advocacy, and sales. As the renewable energy and electrification sectors grew, so did his questions about how that growth should happen—and how it could better serve communities.
“I had reached a stage in my career where I was becoming a subject matter expert, but the list of lingering questions unrelated to energy or advocacy continued to grow,” Nick explains. He wanted to learn from experts with firsthand experience in environmental law, land conservation, and international climate policy.
The MSL gave Nick the opportunity to do that while continuing to work full time. He describes the experience as both challenging and transformative. “The MSL raised the ceiling on my understanding of all things environmental in a way I didn’t think possible.”
The program’s flexibility allowed Nick to balance his professional responsibilities with coursework, while its breadth exposed him to areas of environmental law beyond his previous experience. He particularly valued the opportunity to explore topics including environmental justice, hazardous waste, and climate finance. “Lewis & Clark offered multiple courses on each of these topics, making it a no-brainer,” he says.
That combination of professional experience and legal education ultimately helped Nick chart a new direction. During the program, he was promoted and eventually pivoted into community-centered entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduation, he launched FrontDoorFax, an initiative focused on making information about environmental and health risks more accessible to people making decisions about where they live.
Nick credits the MSL and its faculty with giving him the confidence to pursue that vision. “The MSL program and the faculty gave me confidence in my ability to push forward and make FrontDoorFax a reality.”
Beyond the coursework, Nick found value in the relationships he built through the program. He describes the learning environment as “welcoming, supportive, and rigorous,” and says the school’s global alumni network has continued to be a meaningful resource.
For Nick, the value of the MSL extends well beyond the classroom. “It gave me the confidence to create something of my own for the people of the world,” he says. And for professionals passionate about making a difference in the natural world, his recommendation is unequivocal: “10/10 would recommend.”