Learning Outcomes

The following is the A.B.A. Standard 301 Statement Regarding Learning Outcomes for the Environmental and Sustainability Law Certificate.

Knowledge and understanding of substantive law

• Understand the theoretical justifications for environmental law
• Understand the theory and concept of sustainability, including its applicability to many disciplines and its many definitions
• Explore the tools and questions necessary to identify, analyze, and apply the theory of sustainability to real world legal situations
• Understand the fundamentals concerning the relevant laws and policies applicable at the international, national, and subnational levels
• Delve deeply into the law’s role in pressing environmental and sustainability issues, such as climate change
• Understand the complex relationship between environmental and sustainability law and other areas of law
• Explore the dynamic relationship between law, behaviors, and environmental degradation

Knowledge and understanding of procedural law

• Understand the administrative process involved with environmental law.
• Understand available policy options, such as developing policy through litigation and command and control regulation
• Understand basic standing requirements necessary to file an environmental action
• Understand the basics of international law and treaties, including customary international law
• Understand the effect subnational decisions can have on the environment and how those decisions are made
• Understand the concept of sovereignty at many levels, including international, national, and subnational

Legal analysis and reasoning

• Be able to analyze the impacts law can have on society
• Be able to create fact-based arguments concerning how and why one environmental policy is more effective than another
• Draw connections between the law and behaviors
• Evaluate whether a given condition or law is sustainable.
• Draft and present on new legislation to enhance the environment and sustainability

Legal research

• Be familiar with the fundamental documents and cases concerning environmental law in the US and international treaties can cases
• Be familiar with the international documents relevant to sustainability
• Explore subnational policies concerning the environment and sustainability, including local planning actions and state climate plans
• Be familiar with the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability and the availability of documents outside of traditional legal research
• Be able to ask the questions necessary to identify and apply sustainability
• Be able to draft local legislation and policy concerning sustainability

Problem-solving

• Be able to assess whether a law is leading to sustainable or unsustainable conditions
• Be able to draft a law that enhances sustainability
• Make fact-based arguments concerning the application of environmental laws
• Be able to make cogent arguments for or against environmental laws
• Be able to foresee and plan for arguments hostile to policies that enhance sustainability
• Be able to understand the basic science behind climate change

Written communication in the legal context

• Be able to write a simple motion and a complaint in an environmental lawsuit
• Be able to draft legislation enhancing sustainability
• Be able to draft a client advice letter regarding the applicability of environmental regulations

Oral communication in the legal context

• Be able to effectively communicate with key stakeholders
• Be able to present local legislation before local policymakers in a public forum
• Be able to meet and discuss with community leaders the importance of sustainability

Exercise of proper professional and ethical responsibilities

• Understand and show commitment to representing the client zealously
• Understand environmental justice and climate justice
• Understand your ethical responsibility when your client is harming the environment in a dangerous manner

Other professional skills needed of a competent and ethical practitioner