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Clinic Program

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

Indiana Law offers second- and third-year students the opportunity to work as legal interns with the staff attorneys of the Conservation Law Center, Inc. The clinic provides legal services to nonprofit organizations, units of government, and other clients in support of natural resource conservation. Center 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 for clients whose issues involve advocacy-in the broadest sense of the word-for natural resources.

Introduced in 2006, the clinic is one of Indiana Law’s newest. It has three objectives:

  • To make positive contributions to the solution of conservation problems
  • To contribute to the development of a more effective body of conservation law and policy
  • To educate law students through a closely collaborative process that involves staff attorneys and clients

Students will gain experience in the broader application of non-legal disciplines by working with experts in the biological sciences, ecology, agriculture, and forestry. In addition, participation in the Conservation Law Clinic will help you refine your skills in:

  • Research
  • Advocacy
  • Legislative drafting
  • Administrative practice

The clinic complements Indiana Law’s acclaimed environmental law program and works in partnership with the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Clinic Director William Weeks provides students with expertise in environmental and conservation law. The group is fervent about its causes, and the center’s clients are impressed by students’ work.

"I came to law school to be an environmental lawyer. Environmental law coursework gave me a great foundation, but working with the clinic has really reinforced my desire to be an environmental advocate."

—Denise Walker, recent Indiana Law graduate
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
  • Have several one-on-one meetings with the clinic director
  • Commit to 10-12 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: info [at] conservationlawcenter [dot] org or wwweeks [at] indiana [dot] edu
Phone: (812) 856-0229
Fax: (812) 855-1828
Room: Lewis Building 201

B558: Conservation Law Clinic course description