Faculty, Students, and Alumni Participate in Environmental Law Conference
The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite, sponsored by the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California, was attended by UC Davis School of Law students, faculty, and a number of alumni. The conference is nationally recognized as the largest and most prestigious gathering of leaders in environmental, land use, and natural resources law.
Professor of Law Holly Doremus sat on a panel with environmental, constitutional, and U.S. Supreme Court experts and reviewed the Court's 2006-07 term, which was filled with significant environmental law cases. Panelists provided an in-depth analysis of the holding and consequences of Massachusetts v. U.S. EPA, the landmark decision involving climate change and the scope of federal responsibilities to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. This program also addressed other key Supreme Court decisions from the recently concluded term interpreting the Endangered Species Act, CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, and more. Alumnus Richard M. Frank '74 moderated.
Professor of Law Albert Lin participated in a panel that provided a summary and analysis of key environmental, land use, and energy law cases decided over the past year by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—arguably the second most important court in the nation for lawyers in those practice areas—and the California Supreme Court. Alumnus Richard M. Frank moderated.
Eight students from UC Davis School of Law also attended the Environmental Law Conference. Emily Brand '09, Gabrielle Janssens '09, Heidi Avelino '08, Deanna Gay '08, Hanni Pichel '09, Veronica Capron '09, Nick Vidargas '09, and Elizabeth Strayer Buering '08 all agreed that attending the event was "incredibly worthwhile, as it was very educational and an invaluable opportunity to engage with the California environmental community."
Students received funding to attend the conference through a variety of scholarships from the State Bar and from the School of Law's Dean's Office and Law Students Association (LSA).