Academics

Course Information

Course Number: LAW 6930

Credit Hours: 3, for a maximum of 2 semesters

Instructor/Director: Thomas T. Ankersen, Center for Governmental Resonsibility, Levin College of Law

Pre-Requisites: All Students must submit an application to the Clinic Director and in addition:

• Law Students: Environmental and/or Land Use Law (4th semester or beyond)
• Graduate Students: Instructor approval and referral from faculty sponsor
• Download Application

Format: Interdisciplinary transactional (non-litigation project based)

Deadlines: Application deadlines will be posted on the main page of this site each semester. Applications may be accepted later to meet project needs. Contact the Director.

Class Size: 12 student limit

Educational Component

The course will include an introductory segment that will introduce students to the nature of environmental practice, ethical responsibilities in transactional and client relationships, keys to interdisciplinary collaboration and skills training in some of the more common transactional areas the clinic will pursue. Readings will accompany these discussions and guest lectures from practicing professionals and scholars will supplement these materials.

In addition, substantive subject matter reading lists will be developed and provided on a project by project basis, and include readings on themes that cut across projects (e.g. environmental justice). Clinic deliverables will be the product of traditional and non-traditional research, and the underlying research will generally be evident (e.g. through annotated instruments, supporting memoranda, bibliographies and similar tools). To the extent possible, clinic projects will be designed to address novel approaches to contemporary environmental issues.

Areas of Clinic Involvement

• Land acquisition and conservation arrangements such as easements, management agreements, etc.
• Local Government or Private Conservation-oriented Development Projects
• Local government Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan Drafting (model or commissioned)
• Carbon sequestration agreements under the Climate Change Convention
• Applications for not-for- profit and 501(c)(3) tax exempt status and related support for conservation organizations
• Institutional framework design such as interlocal agreements
• Protected area management planning
• Dispute resolution systems design and conservation mediations
• Proposals for legislative reform