Natural Resources Litigation Advanced/WRLC: Practicum

Natural Resources Litigation Advanced/WRLC: Practicum - Professors Aaron Bruner and Derek Gauthier

• Course Type: Highly Specialized & Experiential
• Credits: 2
• Enrollment Limit: 1-2
• Description: The Advanced WRLC Practicum is a 2-credit, Credit/no credit course offered to qualified and interested WRLC students during semesters where caseload and legal work allow.

  Advanced WRLC students assist in teaching the WRLC Practicum and are responsible for making at least one presentation to that class. Given the student participation with teaching the Practicum, there is a small component of lecture time. The primary focus of this course, however, is the opportunity to work on advanced legal projects. Students work under the direct supervision of WRLC and are required to attend strategy meetings with co-counsel and/or the supervising attorney.

  The specific work assigned often depends on individual student interest, skill set, and experience level. To date, students have worked on an amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court, an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, motions for summary judgment and supporting memoranda, and various other court pleadings and legal memos. The Advanced WRLC Practicum is offered only when WRLC’s caseload offers advanced learning opportunities and the student is able to meet WRLC’s heightened requirements.

  A student must have permission to register for this course. To do so, submit a letter of interest to Executive Director, Caroline Lobdell either by email to clobdell@wrlegal.org, with the subject line “Application: WRLC Advanced.” Your letter should indicate which semester you are applying for, or if you are flexible. Class size is limited to one or two students, depending on the complexity of the legal work involved and WRLC’s case load.

• Co- or Prerequisite: Only students that have completed the Natural Resources Litigation/WRLC Practicum and have the professor’s approval may apply to take this course.
• Evaluation Method: Written work completed in the clinic
• Capstone: no
• WIE: Optional; requires prior professor permission