On September 8th, the Environmental Law Program (ELP) hosted its semi-annual Tea Time event. The event took place in-person and on campus for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic! Enticed by the free coffee, tea, and cookies, a record number of thirty-five students, mostly 1Ls, attended the first ELP event of the academic year. ELP faculty and research associates gathered everyone together in Classroom 1 to talk story with students interested in learning more about what’s hot in environmental law.
This semester’s Tea Time event began with an overview of the Program from ELP’s new Co-Director: Prof. Richard Wallsgrove. In addition to unveiling the new ELP website, Prof. Wallsgrove, Dean Antolini, and ELP Research Associates highlighted the 2022 Careers Directory, requirements for the Environmental Law Certificate, and future ELP events. The ELP team also shared stories about the unique opportunities ELP can create with its students such as attending international environmental law conferences and the school’s national and international environmental law moot court teams.
After the program overview, students gave short introductions about themselves and shared what areas of environmental law they are interested in. Students discussed their passions including ocean and coastal law, land use, and waste management. Tammy Kim ’25 shared that “as a 1L, I thought that the meeting was a great way to meet other law students who have similar interests in environmental law as me. I also found the 2L’s and 3L’s insights about their experience with ELP valuable, and will remember them for future reference.”
ELP’s Tea Time event is a great opportunity to network with other students who have an interest in practicing environmental law. The event also serves as an opportunity for students to connect with ELP professors who can help plug students into jobs and internships in specific areas of environmental law. Justine Park ’25 commented that she enjoyed hearing about all of the opportunities ELP has to offer. “I am especially interested in the mentorship program!” she said alluding to ELP’s annual Enviromentors event.
ELP would like to thank all who attended this semester’s Tea Time event! The massive turnout for this event is a testament to the growth of this Program since its creation in 1988. If you were unable to attend this Tea Time event, we hope that you can join us for any future ELP events including a panel discussion on Indigenous Land Management on October 7th, Enviromentors on October 28th, or the next Tea Time event in early February 2023.
– JB 9/22/2022