Environmental Law

As an environmental lawyer, you can help safeguard the quality of our natural environment, and work in diverse settings with a wide range of clients. Here are just a few examples of the work you may expect as an environmental lawyer.

  • Advise companies in the energy, manufacturing and other industries on compliance with environmental standards.
  • Ensure that relevant agencies abide by their mandates and regulations.
  • Work at a regulatory agency at the state or federal level.
  • Challenge polluters in court.
  • Help ensure sustainable use of the environment and natural resources.
  • Represent individual landowners on land use and environmental issues.
  • Advise non-governmental or inter-governmental organizations at the national or international level working on transboundary and global environmental issues, such as climate change and overseas shipment of hazardous wastes.

You may also choose to further specialize your environmental law practice. Areas of specialization include oil and gas regulations, climate change policy, toxic torts, pharmaceutical waste management, water quality protection or dozens of other areas.

Core Courses

If you specialize in environmental law, you should start by taking these courses.

  • Administrative Law
  • Environmental Law

Recommended Courses

Below are recommended courses related to environmental law. You should choose courses that interest you or that will further your career objectives.

  • Climate Change and Energy Law Seminar
  • Energy Law
  • Environmental Oil & Gas Law
  • International Water Law
  • Land Use
  • Law and Science Seminar​
  • Natural Resource Law
  • Oil & Gas Law
  • Water Law
  • LARW III: Contract Drafting
  • Special Topics: LARW III: Environmental Litigation Drafting
  • Special Topics: International Petroleum Transactions​
  • Special Topics: LARW III: Oil & Gas Law Drafting

Related Courses

You should also consider taking one or more of the following courses that are useful in the practice of environmental law.

  • ADR Survey: Negotiation, Mediation & Arbitration
  • Negotiation Theory & Practice Practicum

Externships

Students interested in environmental law have participated in prior externships with

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

To learn about current environmental law externship opportunities, contact Externship Program Director Cecily Becker at cbecker@law.tamu.edu.​

Student Organizations

  • Energy Law Student Association