Environmental and Natural Resources Law

UC Davis is a world leader in environmental science, and UC Davis School of Law has consistently ranked among the nation’s top law schools. Many King Hall students take advantage of these unique strengths by choosing the Environmental and Natural Resources Law concentration. At UC Davis, students not only learn the current law, but also analyze the factors that do and should shape it. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the practice of environmental law in a variety of settings, from litigation to transactions to policymaking.

UC Davis School of Law specializes in creating practical legal experiences for all students. The law school sponsors teams in environmental moot court and negotiation competitions. Students gain invaluable first-hand experiences through environmental and natural resources law externships in government, public interest organizations, and private firms.

Students also enhance their educations by participating in organizations, working on journals and organizing events. Activities particularly useful to those interested in environmental law include the Agricultural Law Society, Environmental Law Society, Environmental Law Symposium, Environs, Environmental Law and Policy Journal, and the California Environmental Law & Policy Center (CELPC), which serves as a focus of environmental scholarship and initiatives.

The Environmental Law Certificate Program provides special recognition for students’ commitment to the study of environmental law. The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of two core courses (Environmental Law and Administrative Law), a substantial research paper on an environmental or natural resources topic, and 11 units of elective environmental law classes.

UC Davis law alumni who studied environmental law enjoy great success in a wide range of settings. They serve as policy analysts, environmental managers, lawyers and advocates in legislatures, law and lobbying firms, consulting companies, nonprofit organizations, corporations and government offices throughout the world. Their practices involve counseling, real estate transactions, drafting and interpretation of legislation and regulations, civil and criminal enforcement, citizen suits, and policy development.