Applying to the Turner Environmental Law Clinic

Admission to the Turner Environmental Law Clinic is competitive. The clinic is open to all second- and third-year students who have taken or are enrolled in the fall, two-credit Environmental Advocacy course.

Preference is given to students who also have taken or are enrolled in Environmental Law, Administrative Law and other coursework in environmental or regulatory areas. Students apply online. Interviews are scheduled after applications are received and reviewed.

Academic Requirements

Up to nine students are selected each semester for the clinic and receive three graded credit hours for a minimum of 150 hours of work, including a weekly staff meeting and manning the clinic during business hours. Students may work in the clinic for two semesters.

To apply to the clinic, click here.

The Application
The application consists of an online form in Symplicity that also requires you to upload the following documents:

Cover Letter
Resume
Writing Sample
Law School Transcript

What Our Students Have to Say

"The clinic’s docket focuses on cases that maximize the students’ opportunity to develop practical legal skills. As a second-year law student, I traveled to Miami to participate in a nuclear power plant permitting proceeding before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Before the hearing, I worked with fellow students to draft briefs and motions. At the hearing, I presented an oral argument to a panel of three administrative law judges. This experience helped me develop the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to become a more effective advocate."

—Carter Thurman 12L
2012-2014 clerk for Nuclear Regulatory Commission

“At the Turner Clinic, I wrote briefs that were submitted to the D.C. Circuit Court. I participated in an oral argument at an administrative hearing of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission against practicing attorneys. While it was chaotic at times, it was also extremely realistic, as I’ve now learned as a practicing attorney at a nonprofit organization. These experiences and many others at the clinic gave a practical understanding of the law that helped me smoothly transition from life as a law student to life as a lawyer.”

—Maggie Wendler 11L
attorney at Sierra Club