Academic Calendar

Director's Message

Welcome to the Golden Gate University School of Law LLM in Environmental Law Program. This program provides a unique opportunity to combine advanced study of US and international environmental law with the practical experience of handling complex environmental cases through our innovative Environmental Law and Justice Clinic.

Our program features a blend of academic study, writing, and practical skills training. LLM students can choose from a broad range of environmental law courses, including Water Law, Superfund, Land Use Regulation, International Trade and Environmental Protection, Federal Wildlife and Endangered Species Law, and Environmental Justice. Students may also work closely with Golden Gate faculty and practicing attorneys in researching, investigating, and preparing publishable papers on leading environmental issues.

The program provides opportunities to develop professional skills and create bonds with practitioners in the field. Our mentoring program places students in government agencies, private firms, and public interest organizations for credit. The Environmental Law and Justice Clinic represents residents of low-income communities and communities of color burdened by environmental hazards. LLM candidates have the option of working in the clinic on cases chosen specifically for them. Through this work, they confront cutting-edge pollution and regulatory issues, while gaining valuable practical experience.

On a typical day, an LLM student may attend a seminar on endangered species in the morning and argue about the Clean Water Act before a governmental agency in the afternoon. On another day, the student may attend a seminar with fellow LLM candidates debating the role of federal and state regulatory agencies and then spend the rest of the day researching and writing an advanced paper on the conflicts between market controls and environmental justice. Other days may be spent enjoying the natural and urban wonders of the San Francisco Bay Area or working at a part-time job.

The LLM program is designed for recent law graduates who would like to practice environmental law and need specialized training, practicing attorneys who wish to move into environmental law practice or a different environmental law specialty, and international students who wish to explore the development of environmental law in the United States. The program is available for part-time or full-time students beginning in August or January.

Come join our well-respected faculty and dedicated students working in this exciting and ever-changing field of law.

Alan Ramo
Director, LLM in Environmental Law Program