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.
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
Upcoming
Past Events
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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
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
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Podcast
You Can't Spell ESG Without DEI
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 (short for Environmental, Social, and Governance), how it connects with DEI (short for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and how communities and advocates can be affected by practices and pushback related to ESG and DEI.
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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.
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Podcast
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.
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Podcast
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
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
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.