Conservation Law Clinic

The Conservation Law Clinic is an opportunity for second- and third-year law students to serve as interns in the Conservation Law Center, a public interest law firm that represents citizen groups, nonprofits, and government clients who need legal assistance with natural resource conservation and environmental matters. While we have traditionally focused on issues related to land conservation, freshwater ecosystems and water quality, and endangered species, an emerging focus of our work is to assist underserved communities in environmental justice matters. Conservation Law Clinic interns, working closely with Clinic Attorneys, participate directly in the representation of Conservation Law Center clients. Clinical work is supplemented with readings and discussion that will focus on practice skills. Clinic interns report that they value the experience of representing real world clients and working in a law firm setting on issues of broad importance. Clinic matters have included analysis of conservation related laws, development of and commenting on new administrative rules, drafting legislation, and participating in all aspects of complex environmental litigation at federal and state administrative, trial, and appellate levels. Students may also have an opportunity to do research related to international conservation work, particularly issues in Costa Rica. During the Fall semester, a seminar component is included with the clinical work. In Fall 2023, the seminar will focus on emerging issues in the field of conservation, including public and private land conservation strategies, Clean Water Act enforcement, landscape-scale conservation, and rights of nature as a legal concept, as well as issues related to CLC s ongoing litigation. Students interested in registering for two consecutive semesters are preferred. Independent study students are also considered. Prior authorization is required. To get authorized to register, please send a statement of interest and a copy of your resume to Christian Freitag (cfreitag@indiana.edu) prior to registration.