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What opportunities are available and did you find most valuable in the field of environmental law and the best pathway to practice on an international level?
My major is marine and environmental science in college, with a pre- law minor. My goal is to practice environmental law on a international level.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Brooklynne !
I am not an attorney but I think that some information and advice may be helpful.
You can enter Law School with any degree so Majoring in Marine and Environmental Science is okay, but I would have advised Majoring in Political Science or Government and minoring in marine and environmental science so that Law School would go smoother with your knowledge focused on laws and government structure.
If you ultimately want to practice internationally for environmental law, after law school you will have to work for multinational firms, international organizations, or in-house legal departments that handle cross-border maritime and environmental issues. You probably would become familiar with those companies during Law School. You could also consider working overseas at global law firms that specialize in areas like environmental compliance, pollution response, or maritime litigation. It's probably going to be 7 - 8 years from now so explore those companies at the time you're ready as some may not be around by then and some new ones may be started by then. It's always best to get the current information at the time you'd want to apply and you will have lots of resources for this at Law School.
You will know your opportunities and they will unfold probably right before you graduate Law School. The opportunities may be different then what can be said for today. As long as you utilize the resources while you are in Law School, you should be fine and have lots of information at that time. You will also be meeting many people during law school and some might be good connections for international environmental law, so it's okay to wait for now.
My advice is to start looking into Law Schools that have their strength in international environmental law. In New York City, explore The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University because it is nationally recognized for its strength in environmental law, ranking #1 in the field. Columbia and New York University School of Law would be worth looking into as well.
It may be a good idea to start doing volunteer work or in your Junior and Senior year obtain an internship at an International Law/Environmental Law office in New York City. I would advise making law predominant in your undergraduate work because you will not be an environmentalist who knows the law, you'd be an Attorney who specializes in environmental issues. Sharpening your skills for being a lawyer would be very helpful in undergraduate school.
Become familiar with organizations such as The Center for International Environmental Law, The International Union for Conservation of Nature, Earthjustice, The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, and The Foundation for International Law and Development. Also find out if any of these offers scholarships for when you are a Law School student.
You can be assured that you will get the appropriate guidance for this career during your time in Law School. I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
I am not an attorney but I think that some information and advice may be helpful.
You can enter Law School with any degree so Majoring in Marine and Environmental Science is okay, but I would have advised Majoring in Political Science or Government and minoring in marine and environmental science so that Law School would go smoother with your knowledge focused on laws and government structure.
If you ultimately want to practice internationally for environmental law, after law school you will have to work for multinational firms, international organizations, or in-house legal departments that handle cross-border maritime and environmental issues. You probably would become familiar with those companies during Law School. You could also consider working overseas at global law firms that specialize in areas like environmental compliance, pollution response, or maritime litigation. It's probably going to be 7 - 8 years from now so explore those companies at the time you're ready as some may not be around by then and some new ones may be started by then. It's always best to get the current information at the time you'd want to apply and you will have lots of resources for this at Law School.
You will know your opportunities and they will unfold probably right before you graduate Law School. The opportunities may be different then what can be said for today. As long as you utilize the resources while you are in Law School, you should be fine and have lots of information at that time. You will also be meeting many people during law school and some might be good connections for international environmental law, so it's okay to wait for now.
My advice is to start looking into Law Schools that have their strength in international environmental law. In New York City, explore The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University because it is nationally recognized for its strength in environmental law, ranking #1 in the field. Columbia and New York University School of Law would be worth looking into as well.
It may be a good idea to start doing volunteer work or in your Junior and Senior year obtain an internship at an International Law/Environmental Law office in New York City. I would advise making law predominant in your undergraduate work because you will not be an environmentalist who knows the law, you'd be an Attorney who specializes in environmental issues. Sharpening your skills for being a lawyer would be very helpful in undergraduate school.
Become familiar with organizations such as The Center for International Environmental Law, The International Union for Conservation of Nature, Earthjustice, The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, and The Foundation for International Law and Development. Also find out if any of these offers scholarships for when you are a Law School student.
You can be assured that you will get the appropriate guidance for this career during your time in Law School. I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !