LLM

1515 Agate Street, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
Phone: 541.221.1325 | Website: www.llm.uoregon.edu

Introduction

The University of Oregon offers a select group of students the opportunity to earn an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law.

The Oregon LLM combines

• a highly regarded reputation in the United States for the combination of its environmental law program and the law school in general;
• education at a major research university (member of the elite AAU; few environmental law LLM competitors are in AAU universities);
• a small class size; and
• personal attention by faculty members with a strong experience and reputation in both academia and in the practicing bar.

The University of Oregon is the only leading US research university to offer an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. Only 2 percent of American universities and colleges are considered advanced enough in academic research to join the elite Association of American Universities (AAU). They include the University of Oregon—whose program in environmental law was cited by Sierra magazine. Environmental lawyers around the world and in the US also put Oregon in the lead in terms of reputation where it counts: among the practicing bar.

The University of Oregon offers one of the best and longest-established programs in environmental law and natural resources law in the world. University of Oregon law professors are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, publishing the textbooks that many other law schools use in their courses.

Oregon law students are initiators, creating and sustaining important organizations and work. Oregon alumni provide leadership throughout the world and the US.

The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, headquartered just five minutes from the School of Law, links together environmental law professionals in nearly 70 countries and offers internship opportunities for a limited number of the best law students. The Western Environmental Law Center, also five minutes away, brings court cases on behalf of citizen groups for environmental protection throughout half of the United States and conducts the School of Law's pioneering Environmental Law Clinic. The University's Many Nations Longhouse, next door to the School of Law, provides networking opportunities with indigenous students and Native American tribes.

Law School Enrollment

Of the University of Oregon School of Law's population of about 500 JD students, between one-third and one-half express an interest in environmental law in their applications. This extraordinary concentration of environmentally concerned students provides a unique atmosphere for the 7 to 10 LLM students who come each year from around the US and around the world to join this dedicated community.

Physical Facilities

The Oregon LLM program is located in the award-winning, world-class, high-tech, comfortable Knight Law Center on the green University of Oregon campus in friendly Eugene, Oregon. Unlike other environmental and natural resources law LLM programs, Oregon offers the physical and intellectual resources and unparalleled reputation of a major AAU research university—while also providing personal attention and guidance to each LLM candidate. The University of Oregon is also one of only 11 universities nationwide to make the Green Rating Honor Roll issued by The Princeton Review. No environmental LLM program except Oregon's exists at such a university. The award praised UO as an "international leader in sustainability for more than two decades."

Free wireless Wi-Fi blankets not just the law building, but both buildings and outdoor spaces of the entire University. Students can even print papers from their off-campus apartments on law school printers by using UO's Virtual Private Network. A full-service technology department in the law school includes laptop repair services and loaner laptops, free software, and other services.

Students enjoy access not only to the modern law library but to the full University of Oregon campus library and to library collections all over the world. Reference librarians are eager to help students, scholars, and lawyers find what they need, no matter where it is.

All of Oregon is part of our classroom. Eugene itself is a vibrant city and major cultural center in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. We are surrounded by beautiful nature, just a one-hour drive from the Cascade Mountains and one hour from the world-renowned Oregon Coast. A unique feature of the UO LLM Program is our program of field trips where students learn from experts while on trips to see areas that are deserving of protection. One student described one of the field trips as "the best experience of my life."

Housing

The Oregon LLM staff are committed to helping students find comfortable housing at a reasonable cost, close to campus. University Housing offers graduate and family student housing (including for families with children)—the highest quality of basic service at a reasonable cost. Apartments and houses can be viewed at the Family Housing and University Apartments website. In addition, the Eugene community has a wide variety of reasonably priced private housing options within walking or bicycling distance of the law school. In addition, all students are provided free transportation on the city's bus network. There is no sales tax or VAT. The moderate cost of living in Eugene results in overall costs at the University of Oregon being significantly lower than at other LLM programs. In fact, such costs are as much as $11,000 less at UO than at other LLM programs. This is equivalent to being granted a scholarship in that amount.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

The University of Oregon Law School offers LLM candidates about 30 courses in environmental law and policy. Students select at least 5 courses from the law school's Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENR) offerings, including courses such as:

• American Indian Policy
• Animal Law
• Climate Change in International Law
• Climate Law and Policy
• Coastal Law
• Comparative Environmental Law
• ELAW Externship
• Environment and Pollution
• Environmental Conflict Resolution
• Environmental Law
• Environmental Law Clinic
• Energy and the Law
• Federal Energy and Congress
• Green Building and Construction Law
• Hazardous Waste Law
• Human Rights and Environment
• Independent Research and Writing
• Indian Law
• International Environmental Law
• Land Use Law
• Natural Resources Law
• Ocean Law
• Public Interest Law (January)
• Public Land Law
• Public Trust Seminar
• Regulated Energy Utilities
• Renewable Energy
• Water Resources Law
• Wildlife Law

LLM students may also select some of their courses from the following:

• Administrative Law
• Advanced Human Rights
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Conflict of Laws
• European Union Law
• Federal Jurisdiction and Procedure
• Human Rights Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Trade and Investment Regulation
• International Law
• Law and Development
• Mediation
• Negotiation
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Remedies
• Tribal Courts and Tribal Law

The LLM Seminar is an integrating experience for all LLM students, providing education on topics of current concern and introducing students to a variety of lawyers, officials, and natural environments in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The students also work to improve their skills in making presentations, preparing articles for publication, and working collaboratively.

The Oregon LLM course of study will prepare you for a career in teaching, high-level government or international positions, or legal careers in private and public service.

Students enrolled in the Environmental Law LLM program have the option of beginning their studies in August or January. Full-time students complete the degree requirements during two consecutive semesters (fall/spring/ or spring/fall), although a few students are allowed to take longer.

For more information about the Oregon LLM in Environment Law, please contact:

Prof. Svitlana Kravchenko
Director, LLM Program
School of Law
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
USA

Tel: +1.541.346.0532
Fax: +1.541.346.1564
Email: llm@uoregon.edu

Requirements for LLM Applicants

• Application deadline: March 15 preferred
• Application fee: $50 (waived for international applicants)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Law school transcripts
• Current résumé (C.V.)
• Sample of legal writing (in English)
• Personal statement of desire and intent (250 words)
• TOEFL® score of 95 or IELTS™ scores of 7.0 for foreign applicants
• Tuition for 2011–2012 is $35,900

Student Services and Organizations

Land Air Water (LAW) is the world's oldest student environmental law society. Each year LAW puts on the premier gathering for environmental lawyers worldwide, the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC). Now in its 30th year, the PIELC unites 2,000 to 3,000 attorneys, students, activists, scientists, and concerned citizens from over 50 countries around the world to share their expertise during over 125 panel discussions. Past keynoters have included Ralph Nader, David Brower, Terry Tempest Williams, Paul Hawken, Winona LaDuke, M.C. Mehta of India, Antonio Oposa of the Philippines, and numerous others. LLM students at the University of Oregon not only attend the Conference, but often help organize it, leading to lasting contacts for their future careers.

Even students at Harvard Law School (which sends several students each year to participate) recognize the incredible benefits of the Oregon conference:

"I've gone to the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene the past two years. For me, it's the biggest [benefit] of being involved with [the Harvard Environmental Law Society]. Many of the really big hitters in US environmental law attend the conference, and there is also a large contingent of international lawyers. The conference is a great chance to be inspired by the amazing things going on in environmental law."
—Rebecca Noblin, Class of '06, Harvard Law School

The Public Interest Environmental Law Conference and what it says about the University of Oregon School of Law can best be understood by watching the video at www.llm.uoregon.edu/studentlife/.

Career Services

Our alumni are founders and leaders (present or past) of the major environmental public interest organizations such as the Sierra Club, the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, and the Western Environmental Law Center. Others work in federal agencies that shape government environmental policy, including the US Department of Justice, tribal agencies, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and many others. The Career Center and, in fact, the entire environmental faculty, help LLM students to network with these and other potential employers.

Based on the School of Law's strong history of public service, one-third to one-half of our graduates choose careers in government service or nonprofit organizations. These graduates work as prosecutors, public defenders, federal and state judicial clerks, international human rights advocates, elected officials, military attorneys, and legal aid lawyers. Best of all, our graduates keep in touch and continue to help law students find positions that best suit them.

Oregon Law's Career Center works with each student on a personal basis, helping with the preparation of résumés and cover letters, arranging contacts, and helping them network with professionals in the field. A notable feature of Oregon Law's efforts is its appointment of an Associate Director of Public Service Initiatives to help students with particular interest in public service.

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