Environmental Law

Environmental and clean energy law are essential to promote healthy environments, people, and economies. Environmental law is the broad area that examines and regulates issues related to the environment, including water, hazardous waste, air quality, species protection, wetlands, biodiversity, agriculture, green initiatives, waste management, sustainability strategies, and alternative energy sources.

The Arctic

Within 10 years the Arctic may be virtually
ice-free for weeks during the year

Abrupt climate change is producing Arctic warming and generating new shipping routes, business opportunities, and access to resources in ways that affect states, indigenous peoples, the Arctic environment, and beyond. This evolution creates opportunities for new policies and laws and a rapidly evolving legal landscape. It also yields job opportunities. Lawyers are having a substantial impact on this local, national, and international conversation.

The University of Maine School of Law is the ideal location for those eager to be involved with these cutting-edge issues of natural resource protection and development.

Certificate in Environmental and Oceans Law

The Certificate in Environmental and Oceans Law is designed to prepare law students for careers in important fields like environmental law and policy, energy law, global warming and renewable energy, oceans and coastal law, and many other related areas. Maine Law is one of only a few law schools in the country offering a certificate in this area of law.

Faculty

Anthony Moffa

Professor of Law
_____
Corporate Social Responsibility
and the Environment,
Environmental Law & Policy,
Natural Resources, Torts,
Water Law Practicum

Charles Norchi

Professor of Law
_____
Arctic Law, Science and Policy,
International Human Rights,
International Law
Maritime Law and
Oceans Law & Policy

Experiential Education

Maine Law students have the opportunity to learn in the classroom and in the field. Recent student externships in environmental law have included:

Conservation Law Foundation
Natural Resources Division of the Maine Attorney General’s Office
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Environmental Protection

Students may also serve on the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal, which is dedicated to facilitating discourse on legal issues related to domestic and international use of the sea and seashores.