Student Connections

Are you a current or aspiring law student interested in climate or environmental law? Or do you want to know whether you should be interested? This page is for you.

A chalk drawing of a handshake on a green chalk board; the State Impact Center logo in the corner

The Center frequently hosts events for law students interested in careers in public service. Check out our upcoming events, and see our past events below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for our events list.

Events

Past Events

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Getting the Lay of the Land: Environmental & Public Interest Law Career Info Session

EVENT • November 8, 2023

We hosted a virtual open house for current and aspiring law students to learn about career opportunities in public interest, environmental, and public service fields.

Public Interest Law Center's Brown Bag Series

Public Interest Law Careers - A Conversation with New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin

EVENT • September 22, 2023

NYU’s Public Interest Law Center, the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center, and the Guarini Center hosted a conversation with New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

27th Annual AG Robert Abrams Public Service Lecture

EVENT • September 11, 2023

NYU’s Public Interest Law Center held the 27th Annual Attorney General Robert Abrams Public Service Lecture with North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein as this year’s speaker.

The cover of a book entitled "Advice to Thrive By"

Advice to Thrive By - Book Talk

EVENT • February 16, 2023

The Center hosted Portia Allen-Kyle, a civil rights attorney who wants to help law students and new attorneys interested in public interest lawyering with their professional development strategy, in a discussion of her book, Advice to Thrive By.

On the left, graduates through their caps into the air and hold diplomas. On the right, a bronze Lady Justice statue.

Environmental Career Paths: Panel & Networking at SULC

EVENT • October 20, 2022

A panel discussion on careers in cli­mate, envi­ron­men­tal, and ener­gy law in the gov­ern­ment and pub­lic interest sectors, co-hosted with the South­ern Uni­ver­si­ty Law Cen­ter. Learn what a regular day’s work looks like, what the panelist’s paths to environmental law were, and what the pros and cons of working as an environmental lawyer are.

See more

The title of the image reads "Building the Next Generation of Climate Advocates"; silhouettes of people sitting in a brightly lit room having a discussion; logos of the State Impact Center, Green 2.0, the American Constitution Society, The State Impact Center, and Climate Week NYC

Building the Next Generation of Climate Advocates

EVENT • September 20, 2022

The State Impact Cen­ter, Howard Ener­gy and Envi­ron­men­tal Law Soci­ety, the Amer­i­can Con­sti­tu­tion Soci­ety, and Green 2.0 invite you to learn about careers in cli­mate, envi­ron­men­tal, and ener­gy law in the gov­ern­ment & pub­lic ser­vice sec­tor.

An illustration of a student's desk: a computer, a lamp, a pen holder, a calendar, a book. Two windows in the background.

Opportunities in Public Service: State AG Honors Programs & Fellowships

EVENT • April 4, 2022

The State Impact Cen­ter and ACS host­ed a dis­cus­sion about hon­ors pro­grams and fel­low­ship oppor­tu­ni­ties in AG offices, with remarks by North Car­oli­na AG Josh Stein.

Logos of University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University, and the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center.

Exploring Environmental and Public Interest Careers at AG Offices

EVENT • February 2, 2022

The State Impact Center and Michigan-area law schools co-hosted a discussion on environmental & public interest career opportunities in the offices of state AGs.

The front of the U.S. Capitol building, shot from the street from a mid-range distance; a bright blue cloudless sky in the background.

Building Power in the Public Sector: DEI and Anti-Racism at Environmental Jobs in Government

EVENT • November 1, 2021

The Center, Green 2.0, & the New York City Bar hosted a discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion work at government agencies that focus on environmental law.

Logos of the Public Interest Law Center at NYU and the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center

Public Interest Law Center & State Energy Environmental Impact Center Panel

EVENT • October 19, 2021

Public Interest Law Center and the State Impact Center brought together alumni in environmental careers at national advocacy organizations and government agencies.

Hear from Students

Student Blog Series

Our Student Blog Series features posts on climate, clean energy, and environmental issues from the State Impact Center’s legal interns and other students working with the Center.

Latest from the Student Blog Series

An outline of a car windshield window is filled with symbols signifying electric vehicles, including cars, batteries, road signs, homes with plugs, and a lightning symbol.

The Electrification of the Nation: How the National EV Infrastructure Project is Charging Up Our Roadways

BLOG • Natalie Heun | August 2, 2023

A major obstacle to EV adoption is the lack of charging infrastructure. The $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program signals an important step to overcome this obstacle.

A white outline of a wind turbine; the outline is filled with icons signifying offshore wind, including waves, anchors, and wind symbols.

A New York Court Propels Offshore Wind Forward

BLOG • Madeline Schwartz | July 26, 2023

An offshore wind project in New York recently survived a legal challenge and construction is moving forward. As one of the first offshore wind projects in New York, South Fork Wind is an important precedent for other projects like it in the state and the region.

A magnifying glass held over icons symbolizing ESG investing

The National Association of Attorneys General Has a Unique Opportunity to Demystify ESG Investing

BLOG • Kathleen Morris | June 28, 2023

NAAG has a unique opportunity to reframe the dialogue around ESG by educating its membership about ESG in a technical manner.

Other Student Contributions

Blue and green icons of recycling symbols, a trash can, and a person throwing something a way

What’s in a Label? The FTC Green Guides in Context

ISSUE BRIEF • Connor Fraser | February 24, 2023

This brief explains what the FTC’s “Green Guides” contain, how the FTC plans to reevaluate them, the interplay between the Guides and state consumer protection laws, and how this interplay affects regulation of “recyclable” labels.

Other Resources

“Recharged with the State Impact Center” Podcast

  • Podcast "Exploring ESG" with AG Keith Ellison and David Glasgow

    Exploring ESG: A Conversation with Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and David Glasgow

    We speak with Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and David Glasgow, Executive Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU about ESG, how it connects with DEI, and how communities and advocates can be affected by practices and pushback related to ESG and DEI.

  • Podcast

    A Focus on New Mexico’s New Attorney General Raúl Torrez

    What is a State AG? Series | To kick off our new series that will help us answer the question: What is a State AG?, we invited New Mexico’s 32nd State Attorney General, Raúl Torrez to speak with our Executive Director, Bethany Davis Noll to talk about his background, his advice for people interested in public service, and his priorities.

  • Podcast "Environmental, and Social, and Governance...Oh My!" with Brian Frosh

    Environmental, and Social, and Governance...Oh My!

    In this episode of Recharged with the State Impact Center we take a closer look into the acronym ESG, short for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Our Executive Director Bethany Davis Noll is joined by former Maryland AG Brian Frosh to discuss how necessary ESG is for the financial wellbeing of our communities.

  • Podcast "Advice to Thrive By" with Portia Allen Kyle

    Advice to Thrive By

    A conversation with Portia Allen-Kyle, a civil rights attorney and public policy expert, on her new book Advice to Thrive By: How to Use Your Résumé and Cover Letter to Build Your Brand and Launch a Dynamic Public Interest Career.

Roundup of Resources for Summer Interns

A green and white striped beach chair and an umbrella; the waves in the background are words

Add This to Your Beach Bag! What to Read, Listen to, and Watch this Summer

A roundup of summer training sessions, webinars, events, and other resources on careers in environmental law.

Career Advice from Our Executive Director

A headshot of Bethany Davis Noll

Alum Takes Surprising Path From Russian to Environmental Law

Bethany Davis Noll, JD ’05, still remembers the hike and barbecue at Meg Caldwell’s home during the beginning of her 1L year. This event and her later experience with the Environmental Law Clinic cemented Davis Noll’s strong interest in environmental law.

“I once heard this advice and I think it is so good: your grades are how you get your job, but legal writing is how you keep your job. My advice is to spend the time you need to on your classes; don’t let yourself get pulled in too many other directions so that you can get the grades you want. Legal writing is the most important skill you need for the day-to-day life of a lawyer. Take advantage of every opportunity to practice and hone that skill.”

– Bethany Davis Noll

Career Opportunities

With the Center

The State Impact Center regularly works with law student summer interns and research assistants. Current opportunities at the Center can be found through our Work With Us page, by following our LinkedIn page, or contacting us to learn about opportunities for students.

With AG Offices

The American Constitution Society has created a great resource for anyone interested in working with a state AG, check it out!

Stay in Touch

Student Listserv

The State Impact Center Forum: Student Opportunities in Government & Environment group is for law students interested in environmental and public interest careers and opportunities, with a focus on government jobs. Expect to receive emails about events, jobs, internship postings, and more.

Newsletter

Events