Hometown: Hillsboro, Oregon, USA
Program: Masters in the Study of Environmental Law (hybrid)
Graduation Date: May 2024
Current Position: Market and Transmission Graduate Intern for Portland General Electric
Anne Thrall-Nash, a recent graduate of the Masters in the Study of Environmental Law program at Lewis & Clark Law School, entered our program with the goal of understanding energy law and regulation to further aid the clean energy transition. As a Market and Transmission Graduate Intern for Portland General Electric (PGE) for Summer 2024, Anne is well on her way to contributing significantly to the clean energy transition.
Anne’s journey began in the Pacific Northwest, where she was born and raised. After spending some time in California, she returned to Oregon, graduating from Oregon State University in 2022 with dual degrees in Environmental Economics and Sustainability. This strong foundation fueled her passion for energy law and policy, leading her to pursue specialized knowledge through the MSL program at Lewis & Clark.
Reflecting on her time in the program, Anne shares, “I entered the program wanting to understand energy law and regulation in order to start a career in the clean energy transition. The program absolutely prepared me to do that, giving me a broad understanding of both the history and current challenges of the energy industry and policy options that are available to meet those challenges.”
The MSL program at Lewis & Clark provided Anne with the exact training she needed without requiring a full JD. She emphasizes the supportive environment, saying, “I found the staff and professors at Lewis and Clark to be accessible and supportive. Lewis and Clark is a small institution and everyone there really wants to be there and believes in the work they are doing. The folks that run the program are quick to answer questions and provide resources.”
During her time at Lewis & Clark, Anne was actively involved in practical experiences that enhanced her learning. She took the Environmental & Natural Resources Practicum class and interned with Oceana, an ocean advocacy organization, where she applied her knowledge from the Ocean and Coastal Law class to conduct legal research and writing. Additionally, Anne served as a law clerk for the Green Energy Institute during her final semester, engaging in research, writing draft comments and briefs, and participating in workgroups. “That experience was fantastic for seeing how energy law is applied in real dockets at PUCs and courts,” she notes.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Anne remains committed to her community. She volunteers as a Planning Commissioner and Public Engagement Committee member for the City of Hillsboro, Oregon, demonstrating her dedication to public service and sustainable development.
We are excited to see how Anne’s career unfolds as she continues to drive the clean energy transition forward!