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Clinics

Conservation Law Clinic

"It’s really exciting to be able to take students from the academic realm to a professional environment and to see them excel.”

—Professor William Weeks, director of the 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, Inc. a public interest law firm, and work on actual matters for clients who need assistance with natural resource conservation issues. Center staff attorneys and clinic students collaborate to resolve organization and incorporation problems, draft model legislation, and advocate for conservation of wildlife, ecological systems, and protected areas.

The Clinic's clients include a variety of non-profit conservation organizations and governmental bodies. Clinic matters have included work on protecting the Great Lakes, drafting conservation easements, and developing new legal protections for migration. The Conservation Law Center is fervent about its causes, and the Center's clients are impressed by and appreciative of students' work.

The clinic complements Indiana Law’s acclaimed environmental law program and works in partnership with the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Benefits of Participation
  • Work on actual client matters
  • Learn about current conservation and natural resource issues, law, and policy
  • Gain experience working with and advocating for clients
  • Gain skills essential to the practice of law in the public service tradition
  • Participate in one-on-one and small team meetings with the Clinic's staff attorneys to review progress with clients, cases, and matters
  • Refine your skills in research, advocacy, legislative drafting, and administrative practice

"Interning at the Clinic helped me build practical legal skills to complement my classroom education. I enjoyed being able to apply those skills toward helping clients with real-world conservation issues."

—Kelly Doordan, JD'12, Conservation Law Clinic
Requirements

Students interested in enrollment in the Conservation Law Clinic must first receive permission from Professor William Weeks. Admission preference will be given to students who have completed half of the coursework required for a law degree or joint degree. Students can expect fairly demanding research and time commitments, but the overall atmosphere of the clinic is casual and collaborative.

Participants in this 3 credit-hour clinic will:

  • Complete weekly readings and discussions that relate to essential skills of conservation law practice, weekly client team meetings
  • Commit to an average of ten hours of independent work each week (working independently for your client and maintaining time sheets to document your work)
Contact the Conservation Law Clinic

Clinic Director: William Weeks
E-mail:admin@conservationlawcenter.org
Phone: (812) 856-0229
Fax: (812) 855-1828
Room: Lewis Building 201

B558: Conservation Law Clinic course description