Course Description
The Environmental Law Clinic provides a forum for students to acquire practical expertise in environmental and administrative law by developing and integrating knowledge and skills with practical judgment in the assumption of responsibility for clients.
The Clinic will represent groups and individuals who otherwise could not afford legal and technical services for their environmental and community health needs. Focusing on, among other areas, water quality and land use issues in Western Pennsylvania, students may be assigned to handle matters involving the following activities: drafting court pleadings and briefs; representing clients at administrative hearings; engaging in collaborative legal and technical work; supporting pro bono environmental litigation filed by non-clinic counsel; conducting discovery; drafting proposed legislation and rules; commenting on proposed permits, regulations, and environmental impact statements and assessments; evaluating matters for potential future action; meeting with clients, other attorneys, and governmental officials; developing case strategy; factual investigation; community outreach and development; policy work; and similar tasks. In some instances, students will have primary responsibility for their assigned matters, and the Supervising Attorney will maintain a secondary role.
Students must complete a minimum of 104 hours of field work.