Environmental Law Degree: Steps To Success

Environmental lawyers are advocates for individuals, corporations, and government agencies, often acting as mediators and providing legal counsel on environmental issues. To become an environmental lawyer, you'll need a strong academic background, preferably with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and a Juris Doctor (JD) from a law school. Passing the LSAT and bar exam are also essential steps in your journey. Let's explore the steps you can take to pursue this rewarding career.

Undergraduate degree

An undergraduate degree is the first step in becoming an environmental lawyer. While there is no specific major that is required, there are several majors that aspiring environmental lawyers commonly pursue, including:

• Political Science
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Public Policy
• Economics
• Humanities
• English
• Sociology
• Environmental Engineering
• Hard Sciences

It is important to maintain a high GPA to be considered competitive at your desired law school. Additionally, gaining experience advocating for the environment during your undergraduate studies can help confirm your interest in pursuing a career in environmental law. This can be done through environmental clubs or associations, volunteer opportunities, or internships with environmental organizations.

While there are no specific undergraduate requirements for environmental law, it is beneficial to focus on areas that will help develop the skills needed as a future environmental lawyer. For example, degrees in science and ecology can provide a solid foundation for understanding environmental issues. English, philosophy, and communication studies are also useful, as environmental lawyers need strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills.

LSAT exam

The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, is an integral part of the law school admission process. It is a standardised test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to assess reading comprehension and logical reasoning. The test has existed in some form since 1948 and is currently offered digitally. The LSAT is offered seven times a year, and it costs $222 to take the test and receive one free score report.

The LSAT is designed to predict student success in law school. It is a multiple-choice test that takes half a day to complete. The test consists of 99–102 multiple-choice questions, and it is scored on a scale of 120 to 180 points. The test has four sections: two logical reasoning sections, one reading comprehension section, and one unscored variable section. The unscored section is used to test new questions for future exams. The LSAT also includes an unscored experimental section and a written essay called LSAT Argumentative Writing.

The LSAT is an important exam, as it is a major factor in law school admissions. It is recommended that students review official practice tests and prepare thoroughly for the exam, as scores typically correspond to preparation time. Students can also take advantage of the many prep courses and resources available to help them prepare for the test.

The LSAT is a crucial step in becoming an environmental lawyer, as it is required for admission to most law schools. While there is no specific undergraduate degree required to become an environmental lawyer, a background in science is beneficial, and students should be comfortable with scientific methods and evidence.

Law school

The first step to becoming an environmental lawyer is to earn an undergraduate degree. While there is no specific major that you must pursue, it is recommended to choose a major that will help you develop a strong foundation for understanding environmental issues. Some suggested majors include environmental science, environmental studies, political science, public policy, sociology, economics, English, philosophy, communication studies, and humanities. It is important to maintain a high GPA, as this will be a factor in your law school applications.

The next step is to prepare for and pass the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). This exam tests your critical thinking and reasoning skills and is a significant factor in law school admissions. It is recommended to allocate sufficient time to prepare for the LSAT and to be comfortable with the concepts on the test.

After completing your undergraduate degree, you can start researching law schools and applying to programs. It is important to find a law school that aligns with your professional goals and offers courses in environmental law. Some top law schools for environmental law in the US include Harvard University, Columbia University, Pace University, University of California-Berkeley, and Lewis & Clark Law School.

During your first year of law school, you will take compulsory courses that cover a broad range of legal topics. In your second and third years, you will have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your specific interests, including taking courses related to environmental law such as energy law, land use law, and marine resources law. You may also have the chance to join student organizations or extracurricular activities related to environmental law, and to participate in internships or volunteer work to gain practical experience.

While in law school, you will also need to prepare for and take the bar exam, which is required to practice law. The bar exam covers a range of topics, including legal concepts, critical thinking, and analytical abilities. Most students find that at least three months of full-time studying is sufficient to pass the exam.

Bar exam

To become an environmental lawyer, you must take and pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice. This is because some states have state-specific bar exams, while others require that the test-taker complete a state-specific essay portion of the exam. The bar exam is administered by the bar association of a jurisdiction and, once passed, allows a lawyer to be admitted to the bar of that jurisdiction.

The bar exam is one of several requirements for admission to the bar. In most jurisdictions, the examination is two days long and consists of multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and "performance tests" that model certain kinds of legal writing. The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), for example, is uniformly administered, graded, and scored by user jurisdictions and results in a portable score that can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Essay Examination, two Multistate Performance Test tasks, and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The MBE is a standardized 200-item test covering six areas: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The second day of testing typically includes locally crafted essays from a broader range of subject matters.

The bar exam must be completed successfully after graduating with a Juris Doctor (JD). The JD is a professional degree you can earn following graduation with your bachelor's degree. While some large universities may offer a JD program, many attorneys attend law school following graduation from a traditional university. During your JD program, you are likely eligible to take the bar exam, but it's common for students to take the bar exam after graduating.

Work experience

Gaining work experience is an important step in becoming an environmental lawyer. It allows future lawyers to gain practical experience in the field, build their resumes, and confirm their interest in pursuing this career path. Here are some ways to gain valuable work experience:

• Volunteering and internships: During your undergraduate studies, seek out volunteer opportunities or internships with environmental organisations, agencies, or NGOs. Many universities have environmental clubs or associations that can provide information on volunteer projects, such as beach cleaning initiatives. You can also reach out to specific conservation organisations or consider volunteer brigades abroad if you're interested in travelling. These experiences will provide you with a better understanding of environmental advocacy work and can be a great addition to your resume.
• Pre-law summer programs: Consider participating in pre-law summer programs that offer a specialisation in environmental law. This will give you a head start in gaining legal experience in the field and can help you build a network of connections.
• Administrative or research roles: After graduating with your bachelor's degree, consider working in an administrative or research role at a law practice, preferably within the environmental law sector. This will provide you with hands-on experience in the day-to-day work of a lawyer and can help you decide if this is the right career path for you. You may also have the opportunity to work with mentors who can guide and shape your career.
• Extracurricular activities: During your law studies, get involved with student organisations or extracurricular activities related to environmental law. For example, you can join an environmental law society or become an editor for your school's environmental law journal. These activities will enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field.
• Networking events: Attend networking events hosted by associations focused on environmental law, such as the American Bar Association's Environment, Energy, and Resources section. These events offer valuable educational and networking opportunities with environmental law experts, which can lead to potential job prospects.
• Internships during law school: Seek out internships or volunteer opportunities with environmental organisations while you're in law school. This will provide you with practical experience in the field and allow you to apply the knowledge you're gaining in the classroom. Many companies that hire environmental lawyers prefer candidates with at least 5 years of work experience, so building up your experience during your studies is advantageous.

Remember that gaining work experience is not just about adding to your resume, but also about exploring your interests and confirming your passion for environmental law. These experiences will shape your career path and provide you with valuable skills and connections that will benefit you in the long run.

Frequently asked questions