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"The Environmental Advocacy Clinic gave me the opportunity to work at the intersection of science and law. I was able to use my environmental engineering background to assist legal efforts made on behalf of the Village of DePue, where residents anxiously await cleanup of hazardous soils. In a few short months, I attended public meetings, assisted in drafting public comments, and met with clients. I look forward to gaining more real-world legal experience as I continue my work in the clinic."
— Andrea Hill

The Environmental Advocacy Center offers students the chance to delve into a broad range of real-world, real-time environmental issues. The program invites students to investigate an array of advocacy techniques. "Litigation is an important lawyering skill," says director emerita Nancy Loeb, "but it is not the only one. Many students are drawn to this Center for the opportunity to explore strategies for achieving a client’s goals, and to determine which mix works best in each circumstance."

Regardless of student preference or particular case assignments, the Environmental Advocacy Center prepares them well for a number of different careers. Students particularly value learning the intricacies of developing legal strategies to effect change in a variety of complex situations that are difficult to capture in a classroom setting. Students gain hands-on practice, the opportunity to see an issue move through a process, and the ability to be directly involved in driving real change.

Coursework

Prerequisite classes are not required for participation in the Environmental Advocacy Center, however, it is recommended that students take (or have taken) Environmental Law and/or Natural Resources. Other helpful classes include Energy Law and Administrative Law.

Environmental Concentration

Northwestern Law offers a broad selection of core and upper-level courses, ranging from the fundamentals of environmental and natural resources law to advanced topics in sustainability, energy, international environmental law, and climate change. More technical course offerings and research opportunities are available to law students as part of Northwestern University's Initiative on Sustainability and Energy (ISEN), the Northwestern Institute for Sustainable Practices (NisP), and the Sustainability Program at the Kellogg School of Management.

Learn more about coursework and other Environmental Law opportunities.