Climate Change Law Writing Competition (Deadline: April 21, 2023)

Here is a writing competition that could be perfect for a law student interested in writing a climate change law paper for spring semester course.

The Center for Climate Integrity and Law Students for Climate Accountability are sponsoring a law student writing competition entitled “Emerging Theories of Climate Accountability.” The paper should be on a “new or emerging legal theory related to climate change and corporate accountability.” Length is 2500 – 4500 words, with a prize of $2,500 and publication in a law journal to be announced. See the actual announcement here and in image below.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otters!

My environmental law students and I spent half of Friday at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to learn about the marine environment and to see the Southern Sea Otter! What a blast! We saw the otters in the Bay as well as in the Aquarium habitats. And as a bonus, some unusual drama – a sea turtle attacking and munching on a small tuna in the “Open Sea” tank exhibit. (It’s the Aquarium’s largest tank exhibit, I think, with a 90 ft window.) I had never seen that before. I remember an Aquarium docent mentioning on a past occasion that the predators in the tank (for example sharks) do not go after the other fish because they are well-fed by the Aquarium staff. I guess somebody forgot to tell the sea turtle. (For a video of the sea turtle and the tuna, see my instagram @proftseming)

Apart from wandering the Aquarium exhibits, our class visit revolved around a formal discussion of the Southern Sea Otter, a species that is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Sea Otters were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 18th and 19th century due to the fur trade. By the time the US entered into the 1911 North Pacific Fur Seal Treaty, which also provided some protections to sea otters, the population had been decimated. However, the Southern Sea Otter has made a remarkable come-back, though it is still listed as “Threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in 1977. More importantly, recovery of the otter population in the Monterey Bay has also brought great benefits to the marine ecosystem. (The otter is a keystone species that helps to control the sea urchin population, which can do severe damage the kelp forest if left unchecked by otters.) However, in response to a petition by the Pacific Legal Foundation to de-list the Southern Sea Otter, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is now actively considering removing it from the protections of the ESA. ☹️ Boooooh. (For example, the ESA prohibits harassment of otters and allows for imposition of criminal penalties for violations.)

While the prospect of the Monterey Bay Sea Otters losing ESA protection might be dismaying, otters would still be covered by the protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. So, these amazing and beautiful animals should continue to thrive and be part of Monterey Bay and the California sea coast marine environment in the future.

By the way, shout-out to the Monterey Bay Aquarium which was so generous and kind to allow our class field trip as part of their Education Program’s “College Field Trips.” Thank you! What a great educational resource the Aquarium is! @montereybayaquarium

Environmental Justice Faculty Positions: Several at Santa Clara University, San Francisco State Univ. & California State Univ. Sacramento (various deadlines)

Three interesting faculty positions in the environmental justice field, including a previously posted opening in the Environmental Studies Dept. at Santa Clara University.

1. Santa Clara University, Environmental Studies Department – opening for Assistant Professor of Race, Justice and the Environment (deadline: October 30, 2023).

2. San Francisco State University, School of Environment – opening for Assistant Professor of Environmental Issues & Environmental Justice in Black and Latinx/e Communities (application review begins January 17, 2024). More information here.

3. California State University Sacramento, Dept. of Environmental Studies – opening for Assistant Professor in Environmental Health Equity (application review begins November 27, 2023). More information here.

Post-grad Fellowships in Environmental Law/Policy: Several at UCLA Law School, UC Berkeley Law School, & Univ. of Mississippi Law School (various deadlines)

Here are three post-grad fellowship announcements from my email inbox. Links to more detailed position descriptions and applications are included. (UCLA Emmett Institute is also looking for an Energy Project Director, with 7+ years experience, which I didn’t include here.)

UCLA Law School (application at end of description, deadline December 5, 2023):Emmett Institute Fellowship in Environmental Law and Policyhttps://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08901

UCLA School of Law’s Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment is now accepting applications for the UCLA Emmett/Frankel Fellowship in Environmental Law and Policy for the academic years 2024-2026. This fellowship is a full-time, two-year academic position beginning in the summer of 2024. The position involves research and writing in the law and policy of climate change and the environment; teaching; and assisting with Institute projects such as conferences and workshops.

See job description here for more detail and instructions to apply.”  

UC Berkeley Law School (application link at end of description, deadline Nov. 5, 2023): “We seek to hire two new Research Fellows to conduct research and engagement on water and environmental issues with a growing and dynamic team. 

Our work at CLEE combines scholarly rigor with careful attention to real-world impact. Our team consistently develops innovative ideas, generates analysis oriented around actionable impacts, and uses this work to support concrete policy actions, all co-produced with stakeholders and decision-makers. If you are interested in work that spans the continuum from knowledge to action on environmental issues, join us! 

Please share with interested networks, send your best contacts my way, and of course I’m happy to answer any questions if you’d like to reach out directly. Links to detailed position descriptions are here: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF0415 and https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04159.”

University of Mississippi Law School (application link at end of description, deadline not specified): “The National Sea Grant Law Center is hiring! We are currently seeking applications for our Ocean and Coastal Law Fellowship Program. During the one-year fellowship, which may be extended for a maximum of two years, the Fellow will conduct legal research, write articles, and prepare white papers and other materials under the supervision and direction of the Law Center director. The Fellow will also assist with the development of workshop/conference sessions, webinars, and other events hosted by the Law Center, and have the opportunity to travel to select workshops/conferences to present research findings. Candidates with experience and interest in ocean, coastal, and marine resources are preferred.

A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association is required by starting date. Applicants should have strong law school academic records; relevant course and/or work experience and interest in one or more of the following – ocean/coastal, natural resources, environmental law; and demonstrated ability to conduct legal research and writing.

The University of Mississippi is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer.

Applications must be submitted through the UM Careers portal. Applicants may access the official posting and apply through this link.”

Summer Law Clerkship (paid): 2024 Summer Clerkship, Legal Office, California Air Resources Board (Deadline: November 3, 2023, Sacramento, CA)

A great summer law clerkship with California’s Air Resources Board for 2024 summer, one of the leading environmental regulators in the country (and even more progressive and forward-looking than even the federal government on issues such as climate change). Note that the deadline is November 3, 2023. See the link below for details on the position and application process.

https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=396500

Summer Fellowship/Grant: Summer 2024 Env. Law Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program, Environmental Law Section of California Lawyers Association (Deadline: Oct. 30, 2023)

Great Opportunity. Fellowship not only comes with a $8000 summer stipend, but also placement in a government agency or public interest environmental organization. Deadline is October 30. For additional info, see the fellowship website.

Position: American University Washington College of Law, Entry-level or Junior Lateral Tenure Track Faculty (Deadline: unknown, Washington, DC)

American University’s Washington College of Law is hiring in the environmental and energy law space this year. 

Application Portal:  http://apply.interfolio.com/128834.

American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) seeks applications for the 2024-2025 academic year for: one entry-level or junior lateral tenure-track position in constitutional law, data privacy, gender and law, or environmental law; and two tenure-track positions in clinical law, with particular interest in entry-level or lateral candidates who would teach the Civil Advocacy Clinic or the Gender Justice Clinic. We are especially interested in candidates who will contribute to our vibrant and diverse community.

Candidates must hold a J.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree by the date of their application. We seek candidates who are, or who promise to be, innovative and productive scholars, exemplary teachers, and dynamic and engaged institutional citizens.

Applications, including a curriculum vitae and cover letter, should be submitted on Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/128834. If you have general questions regarding the application process, please contact Erica Devine, Faculty Coordinator, at edevine@wcl.american.edu. Please contact Professor Brandon Weiss, Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee, at weiss@wcl.american.edu with any other questions. Although there is no formal deadline, we will begin interviewing candidates as early as August 2023, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus. 

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

Fellowship: Univ. Oregon Law School, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center, Research Associate (Deadline: unknown, Eugene, OR)

Of potential interest to new law grads interested in environmental/climate law. Research associate position to work with Prof. Greg Dotson for two years on climate-related legal research. Position announcement here: https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/532579/pro-tem-enr-research-associate-school-of-law-open-pool .

Position: Vermont Law and Graduate School, Assistant/Associate Prof. (water law) (Deadline: unknown, South Royalton, VT)

Vermont Law and Graduate School is hiring for an assistant/associate environmental law professor specializing in water law.

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1886947/Vermont-Law-School/AssistantAssociate-Professor—Environmental-Law

Deadline is probably on typical academic recruitment calendar, so application asap is advisable.