Additional Information
Environmental lawyers go through training just like any other lawyer. Aspiring
lawyers have usually have a full four-year degree before starting law school
-- it depends on the entrance requirements of the law school they want to
attend.
Then, they must write an aptitude test (LSAT) to get into a three-year
law degree program. At law school, they may attend specialized clinics or
courses pertaining to environmental law.
Elizabeth Swanson is staff counsel for the Environmental Law Center. She
recommends pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology or engineering and
then completing your law degree. The complexity of the scientific data an
environmental lawyer is confronted with can be overwhelming for those without
a background in science.
Other experts in the field say it's good to have a diverse university background,
studying everything from history to economics.
Universities across the United States offer law degree programs. Most of
them include basic courses in environmental law. If you know what area of
environmental law you want to concentrate in, it's worth checking out the
faculty members' law backgrounds. You may find the foremost legal expert in
your area of interest is teaching at a university you hadn't considered.
Professor Oliver Houck, of Tulane University in Louisiana, says undergraduates
should consider which school offers the widest variety of environmental law
courses. "You never know what's going to appeal to you."
However, Houck says there are some schools which specialize in environmental
law and little else. "Over the long haul, that's less valuable than courses
which have good academic standing across the board."
If you're lucky enough to live in a city that has an environmental law
center, you can try to volunteer with them. If not, try contacting a local
environmental group. Every issue has a legal background that needs researching,
and you could end up with a lot of first-hand experience.