Environmental and energy companies will have a fresh crop of attorneys
to aid their efforts in the near future: the University of Minnesota Law
School is
adding concentrations in these areas starting this fall.
Professor
Alexandra Klass will serve as faculty chair of the new concentration,
which was developed to help students prepare for practicing in these
unique areas of law. In making the announcement, Klass noted that
addressing environmental and energy needs will be one of the great
challenges of the 21st century, and that through this program, the Law
School will train the attorneys and leaders needed to tackle those
issues.
The new concentrations will build on standard curriculum
already being offered through other university programs. Students will
be able to learn about environmental and energy topics through capstone
courses, guest speaker visits, interdisciplinary course offerings, and
simulation exercises.
The capstone courses include seminars on
environmental justice and renewable energy, and there's also a course on
"brownfields" redevelopment and litigation, an area of law that focuses
on underutilized, contaminated properties.
Clinics are offered
too, giving students the chance to explore topics in public policy,
energy use, environmental sustainability, housing, transportation, and
urban growth. As with other concentrations offered by the Law School,
this new one will provide opportunities for students to participate in
mentorship programs and community projects.
The Law School offers other concentrations as well, including business law, human rights law, and labor and employment law.
Source: University of Minnesota
Writer: Elizabeth Millard