Environmental Law Section

This program offers 1.5 participatory MCLE credit. You must register in advance to participate. Is Climate Change the next Big Tobacco? A wave of lawsuits in California seeks to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their contribution to climate change. In 2017, the Counties of San Mateo, Marin, and Santa Cruz, and the Cities of San Francisco, Oakland, Imperial Beach, and Santa Cruz filed complaints against more than three dozen fossil fuel companies under theories including public nuisance, private nuisance,… Read more

This program offers 1.5 participatory MCLE credit. You must register in advance to participate. In January 2018, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and the Trump Administration announced a plan to allow offshore drilling along the entirety of the Pacific coast, along with the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and in the waters off Alaska. Shortly thereafter, the Administration took steps to exempt the Florida coast from the leasing plan—but federal waters along the entire West Coast will remain open to… Read more

This program offers 1.5 participatory MCLE credit. You must register in advance to participate. This interactive roundtable panel brings together distinguished in-house counsel from a variety of corporate sectors. Each of the panelists has environmental law expertise and responsibilities, and will discuss common aspects of their positions, as well as some of the unique challenges they confront in managing complex environmental matters. Topics will include their companies’ management of environmental affairs; examples of representative matters; an in-house counsel’s responsibilities in… Read more

The Environmental Law Section Update is sponsored by the Environmental Law Section of the California Lawyers Association and reports on recent California case law of note, as well as significant federal case law and state and federal regulatory developments. Read more

Summer 2020 Program Vivienne Pismarov, of UC Davis Law School, spent her summer at Earthjustice in Los Angeles. “The most memorable experience through my fellowship was the opportunity to help submit a public comment to oppose a proposed nuclear waste rule. I had the privilege to help the team from the beginning of the case, all the way to the deadline. Aside from developing my research and writing skills along the way, I also learned what it means to be a part of a team… Read more

Thursday - Sunday, October 17-20, 2019 Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite1122 CA-41Fish Camp, CA 93623 Online registration has now closed. Registration Deadline: October 10, 2019 Qualifies for 11.50 Hours MCLE credit. Includes 2.5 Hours of Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and Society Credit. Conference Topics | Program Schedule | Essential Information | Hotel Information | SponsorsConference Mobile App | Mentor Program | Scholarship ProgramBrochure | Registration Form The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite® is nationally recognized as… Read more

For a PDF version of these guidelines, click here. Implementation of the Model Law Office Sustainability Guidelines below will help State Bar members minimize the environmental impacts of law practice. Education Educate all new and existing employees and firm members about the sustainability policy. Invite and promote speakers on sustainability and conservation during firm training. Maintain communication with the building owner regarding sustainable management of the office building. Monitor and record rates of water and energy use and solid and… Read more

Did you miss the 2018 Yosemite conference or an important panel presentation because it conflicted with another can’t-miss presentation? You’re in luck. All Yosemite panels are available on the Section’s website. Download and receive MCLE credit today! Read more

The California Lawyers Association’s Eco-pledge program encourages California lawyers to pledge to reduce the ecological footprint of office activities. The legal profession uses enormous amounts of paper, energy, water, and other natural resources, and generates a vast stream of waste products. Read more

Are you a member of the Environmental Law Section (ELS) and interested in sharing career advice with law students? Read more