<a href="/live/image/gid/71/width/650/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86191"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/71/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/71/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/71/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/71/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/71/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/71/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/71/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/71/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86191_L-CAM-G-0818-0022_lg.rev.1605119241.jpg 2x" data-max-w="1988" data-max-h="1988" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a> <div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"></div>

/ Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy Law/Degrees & Certificates/JD with Environmental & Natural Resources Law Certificate

Juris Doctor Degree With Certificate in Environmental Law

Join one of the top environmental law programs in the country and specialize your juris doctor degree to tackle the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

Apply to Lewis & Clark Law

Pursue Your JD Degree in the PNW

Lewis & Clark has the only law school in Portland, Oregon, and one of the nation’s top-ranked environmental law programs. Known for its leading faculty, broad course offerings, practical skills training, and postgraduate fellowships, L&C is deeply connected to the city it calls home. Portland is a beautiful and progressive city that is committed to sustainability and environmental action, which means access to plenty of externships and jobs. In fact, a network of nearly 3,000 L&C law alumni are in the Portland area.

Juris Doctor Admissions

Professor Benjamin law classroom

Specialize in Environmental Law

Gain a competitive edge in the job market by focusing your JD studies with the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate. To earn the certificate, you must complete core courses in Administrative Law and Environmental Law, along with additional credits from our environmental law curriculum. With guidance from our faculty members and hands-on field experiences, you’ll emerge as skilled environmental advocates ready to tackle complex legal challenges.

Environmental Law Certificate

I chose Lewis & Clark for the opportunity to receive an environmental law education from one of the best places to do so.
Phoebe Moffett
South Pasadena, California | JD ’25
More about Phoebe
L&C has the best programs for both animal and environmental law, as well as amazing clinics, extremely well-reputed and kind professors, and a welcoming student body.
Ananya Raghavan
Cerritos, California | JD ’25
More about Ananya
My passions include mentoring future generations of law students with experiences similar to mine and advocating for a more equitable legal field—for both practitioners and nonlawyers.
Jose Garcia-Fuerte
Denver, Colorado; born in Mexico City, Mexico | JD ’23
More about Jose

Funding Your Degree

A legal education is often more affordable than you think, and earning an advanced degree is a significant investment in your future. Our financial aid program creates solutions to serve students from diverse economic backgrounds.

Financial Aid

Professor of Practice and Director of the Center for Advocacy Joanna Perini-Abbott teaches how to work with witnesses in the courtroom.

Experience Law Beyond the Classroom

Immerse yourself in experiential learning opportunities that bridge theory and practice, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. You can gain practical experience through involvement in our clinics (Earthrise Law Center and the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment), the environmental and natural resources practicum, the Western Resources Law Center legal practicum, the Green Energy Institute practicum, an environmental externship, and paid clerkships with private firms, state agencies, federal agencies, and public interest organizations. Published and edited by students, Environmental Law is the nation’s oldest law review dedicated to environmental issues, and our environmental law moot court program is nationally recognized. Our hands-on approach to legal education will prepare you for the complexities of legal practice while fostering critical thinking and professional development.

Experiential Learning at Lewis & Clark Law

Transforming Legal Minds

The faculty members who teach in our environmental law program are leading scholars who bring a wide range of perspectives to their teaching and mentorship of students.

Faculty and Staff

A Network of Legal Leaders and Our Esteemed Alumni Community

Environmental, natural resources, and energy law offers exciting opportunities, and Lewis & Clark Law School graduates are well prepared to take them. Our alumni have gone on to interesting careers across the United States and all over the world—many work in private law firms, government agencies, and nonprofit offices. Some work for international organizations; others teach environmental law in colleges or law schools.

Careers and Alumni >

Connect With Our Admissions Team

Our law admissions team is here to support you as you navigate through the application process and are available to answer any questions you may have.

Contact Admissions