Hello 1Ls,
Welcome to law school! The UBC Environmental Law Group (ELG) seeks to connect students with environmental law and environmental justice issues. Our events provide opportunities for learning, activism, and fun.
Our main event annually is the Environmental Law Negotiation Competition in November — despite the name, there is no need to know anything about environmental law! Most of the participants are 1Ls, and it is a fun way to try out some advocacy skills early on and practice speaking well before your 1L moot. The event includes lots of food (of course) and a mixer with local environmental lawyers.
We also hold several smaller events throughout the year. In the past, we held a clothing swap fundraiser in support of Pull Together. The money we raised through this event contributed to covering the legal fees of Tsleil-Waututh, Coldwater, and Squamish First Nations as they challenged the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion. It was also a great way for people to get some new clothes without contributing to overproduction of textiles. We’re hoping to host another clothing swap in the future, so hold on to your old clothes and stay tuned!
This year we are excited to be planning a career panel, where guest speakers will give their insights on working in the field and where environmental law education can lead after graduation. We also hold events such as movie nights (documentary suggestions welcome!), collaborations with and support of other clubs at Allard, beach clean-up, and research-a-thons.
Allard has several great environmental and natural resource law courses as well, which our members will be happy to talk about, but until then, come out to some events and meetings and stay ‘rooted’ through your first year. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with environmental law news.
We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!
Your 2019 co-chairs,
Olivia and Heather