Join a top-ranked program that has been one of the nation’s most respected resources for more than 50 years.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENR) Center pioneered the earliest academic curriculum in public interest environmental law. Our experienced faculty are some of the nation's leading scholars in the field, teaching the regulatory mechanisms of environmental law, exposing students to emerging problem-solving tools in cutting-edge courses, and providing practical training, skills-based courses.
ENR Concentrations
Either through individual courses or completing an optional environmental law concentration, students can gain expertise in a variety of different areas of law.
Current students may review the concentration requirements and forms on MyLaw.
Alumni Highlight — Kathryn Carey, JD ‘16
Katie is an attorney-advisor for the US Department of the Interior, the agency that manages the country’s natural resources. Administrative Law and Environmental Law courses provided a foundation for understanding the substantive issues that she digs into on a daily basis. Externships and courses on state and federal government opened her eyes to a wide variety of approaches to addressing natural resource issues.
What made the Oregon Law community special?
“Faculty members are devoted to student success. Not only do they care about our professional development, but they have a sincere interest in student happiness and well-being. Likewise, students are always willing to lend each other a helping hand.”
Her Advice?
“Be willing to ask for help and utilize your network. I frequently took advantage of professors’ office hours. In doing so, I developed relationships with all of my professors.”
Careers
As an environmental lawyer, you may represent clients in legal issues such as green business, water law, climate change, food resiliency, international environmental law, and land use law. You may work within government, nonprofit, tribal or private entities, at the regional, national, or international level.
Common careers for environmental lawyers:
- Litigator
- Transactional Attorney
- Sustainability Manager
- Legislative Aide
- Policy Advisor
- Conservation Director
- Public Utilities Specialist
- Nonprofit Director
- Environmental Advocate
Academics
Sample of Environmental Law Coursework
FIRST YEAR (1L) (Assigned courses)
SECOND YEAR (2L)
THIRD YEAR (3L)
ADDITIONAL COURSES
Concurrent Degree Options
Interdisciplinary Research Projects
- Conservation Trust
- Energy Law and Policy
- Food Resiliency
- Global Environmental Democracy
- Native Environmental Sovereignty
- Oceans, Coasts, and Watersheds
- Sustainable Land Use
Practical Experience
Type of available practical experiences
FIRST YEAR (1L)
SECOND AND THIRD YEAR OPTIONS
Examples of Recent Field Placements
- Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Wild Earth Guardian
Professional Development
At Oregon Law, we take your future seriously. As a law student, you will take a required professional development seminar your first year.
You will also receive individualized, tailored professional development coaching from a professional who will guide you to make strong career choices throughout your time at Oregon Law.
Extracurriculars
Annual Events
- Green Business Initiative Symposium
- Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation Symposium
- Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
- Rennard Strickland Lecture
Faculty Highlight — Greg Dotson
Prior to joining the faculty in January 2017, Dotson was the vice president for energy policy at the Center for American Progress, a multidisciplinary think tank in Washington, DC.
In that role, Dotson oversaw the international and domestic energy policy work of the center, frequently testifying on energy and environmental policy matters before the US House of Representatives, the US Senate, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
In his Environmental Policy Workshop, Dotson plunges law students into the heart of environmental policymaking. “We give them the opportunity to work with people and entities wrestling with real energy and environmental policy questions,” he says.