The urgency of climate change, rising sea levels, and pollution have placed the role of law and lawyers front and center in the struggle to protect our planet. As an environmental lawyer, you can work on legislating for environmental protection to representing cases relating to contaminated spaces and endangered species protection to reconciling the challenges between land development and water use and conservation.
Miami Law offers an extensive environmental law curriculum, an Environmental Law Program, and an Environmental Law Concentration next to the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America. Our interdisciplinary offerings with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy bridge the gap between science and the law. Whether your goal is to work in a law firm, as in-house counsel, in a government setting, or at a non-profit organization, nationally or globally, Miami Law will prepare you to be a leader in environmental law.
Some Facts about Miami and Miami Law:
Kelly Cox, J.D./M.P.S. ‘16 in Marine Affairs “Environmental law seeps into every area of practice and [externship at] the Department of Transportation [gave] me an opportunity to work on numerous issues of land use...Learning about how land use, property and environmental issues all intersect [was] fascinating and broadened the range of issues to consider in my pursuit of environmental justice.”
Director of Everglades Policy, National Audubon Society
Tavernier (Florida Keys), FL
*Course list is not exhaustive and does not set out a path of study.
Raleigh Watson, J.D./M.A. '11 in Marine Affairs & Policy"I came to UM specifically to pursue the joint degree program...I wanted to figure out a way to further my career, but also stay involved in ocean issues."
Vice President and General Counsel, Skips Wastewater Services
Wellington, CT
International Opportunities
Natalie Cavellier, J.D./LL.M. '21 in Real Property Development“Attending [The United Nations] COP25 was by far the most memorable experience I’ve had in law school,” she says. “Being there made me see the different places a law degree can take you, especially in international law. I saw how diverse the field is, and how even someone who is practicing basic land use or Constitutional law in the U.S. can make a decent amount of difference at the international level.”
Attorney, Rural Property Rights
Braun and Gresham, PLCC
Austin, TX
**List is not exhaustive and is intended to provide examples of past externships and internships.
Kenya Rothstein, J.D. '21“Opportunities through Miami Law’s HOPE Public Interest Resource Center made it possible for me to work at the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region IV Office where I gained invaluable environmental law and regulatory enforcement experience that I use in my current role. I went to law school to pursue a career at the intersection of environmental, business, and sustainable law. I’m proud to start my career by contributing to rulemaking at this intersection both nationally and internationally.”
Associate, Aqua Terra Aeris
Oakland, CA
Jessica Owley“Environmental law is of vital interest to our students and the community. UM President Frenk and Provost Duerk have identified climate change, resilience, and environmental issues as priorities for the institution. Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time, and Miami is on the front line.”
Professor of Law and Director, Environmental Law Program
Ileana Porras is Senior Lecturer and teaches Public International Law, Climate Change Law & Policy, and Property Law.
Brittany Thomas, J.D. ‘18 “The Environmental Justice Clinic just changed my life, it showed me how I could advocate for my communities.”
Bertha Justice Fellow, Center for Constitutional Rights
New York, NY