Berkeley Law is one of the first major law schools to enter the field of environmental law, and today hosts a nationally #1 ranked program. Today, there are a number of programs for environmental and energy (E&E) law students that supplement the curriculum. These include hands-on opportunities with the Environmental Law Clinic and student-initiated legal service projects. The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) serves as a key vehicle for additional E&E student programming. Below is a description of some of these programs, the outcome of which is a rich culture of learning for the nation’s next generation of E&E leadership.
Building a sense of community
- Annual awards banquet: The Banquet brings together Berkeley Law faculty, students and alumni from the E&E community. The banquet is an opportunity to appreciate and recognize outstanding students and witness the annual student-run Ecology Law Journal’s leadership transition ritual.
- Cross-organization support: For two or more student organizations to cross-pollinate ideas and projects.
- Student organizations: Direct funding and staff support for gatherings of and by students sharing interests such as environmental justice, animal law, and energy law.
- Weekly newsletter for E&E students: Weekly newsletters include listings of E&E program offerings and deadlines, on- and off-campus events, internship and job postings, and other opportunities.
- Office hours for students: Weekly time with CLEE leadership to discuss E&E related interests with students.
- Special speaker events: Regular CLEE Lunch & Learns engage government officials, public agency leaders, scholars, non-partisan policy experts, corporate counsel, and fledgling practitioners in dynamic discourses at the cutting edge of environmental law and policy.
Professional development
- Career advising: In addition to the extensive resources available through Berkeley Law’s Career Development Office, research staff members with deep experience talk to students about possible career paths.
- CLEE E&E Career Fair: The annual CLEE E&E Career Fair gives UC Berkeley students the chance to learn more about a few organizations that hire in their areas of interest. The event is followed by a happy hour.
- Recent Graduate Newsletter: Emails containing major events, job opportunities and other information of relevance to people with an E&E specialization.
Academic support
- CLEE Scholars Program: The CLEE Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship to incoming students that have demonstrated an interest/commitment to environmental or energy law. CLEE provides additional support in the form of small informal events and one-on-one career guidance
- Course advising: Each semester, CLEE staff organizes a curricular rollout so students can preview courses being offered and hear directly from faculty.
- Energy and Environmental Law Certificates: Berkeley Law offers two certificates of specialization in environmental and energy law.
- Research projects and positions: CLEE offers a diverse array of interesting and relevant student research projects and positions which can be for credit or pay.