Environmental Law Project (ELP)

The Environmental Law Project (ELP) is dedicated to environmental law and policy, fighting climate change, and advancing environmental justice.

What we do: 

The Environmental Law Project applies an interdisciplinary focus to address the legal, scientific, economic, political, and social factors that are involved in environmental lawyering. Students engage in research projects to actively address the unmet needs of environmental preservation and justice on local, national and international levels through support for legislative advocacy, community lawyering, and policy research. Past areas of student research and work have involved public access to information, waterfront development and protected area status.

How we do it:

We work with local and national environmental organizations, such as the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and the Natural Resources Defense Council, as well as other groups at the University of Pennsylvania. We support their work for a clean and healthy environment through legal, regulatory, and policy research. We also hold events on Penn’s campus to help students learn about contemporary issues in environmental law and policy.

How and when can I join:

We host an information session and training at the beginning of each semester, describing our current projects and invite students to work on the projects of their choice, depending on availability. Ad hoc projects may arise during the semester. If you are interested in volunteering with ELP, sign up for the listserv here.

What skills will I develop:

Legal analysis, legal research, legal writing

The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.