Environmental and Natural Resources Law (LLM)

The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Law track in the LLM program at the University of Oregon School of Law is designed for students who want to specialize in environmental and natural resources law and gain a deeper understanding of the legal framework that governs these areas in the United States. The program is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to address complex environmental issues and work effectively with clients in this field.

The program consists of a series of courses that cover various areas of environmental and natural resources law, including environmental law, natural resources law, energy law, and climate change law.

In addition to the required courses, students have the opportunity to take electives in a wide range of subjects, including water law, land use law, and wildlife law. Students can also choose to participate in the school's environmental and natural resources law clinics, which provide hands-on experience working on real cases under the supervision of experienced attorneys.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the knowledge and ability necessary to practice substantive and procedural law and understand the dynamic processes through which law is created, developed, and changed by completing an organized program of courses in a selected specialization.
• Employ sound and articulate legal reasoning to identify, research, and analyze legal problems.
• Communicate effectively with clients, decision-makers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Recognize the responsibility of lawyers to serve as informed and professional leaders.
• Appreciate the critical role that lawyers play in ensuring meaningful access to the legal system, promoting the just application of its laws, and serving their clients and the community.
• Learn how lawyers work together by demonstrating team lawyering skills, managing conflict, and forging relationships.

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Requirements

For JD degree holders

For non-JD degree holders

Additional Requirements

• Students who hold a law degree from a non-U.S. institution of higher education are required to take a 2-credit introductory course in American law and a 2-credit course in advanced persuasive legal writing as part of their degree requirements. Depending on a student’s course selection and course availability, a student who is required to take these two courses may take more than 24 credits.
• LLM Seminar: Writing (LAW 780) and LLM Seminar: In Practice (LAW 781) are required for all students, providing education on topics of current concern. The students also work to improve their skills in making presentations, drafting articles, legal research, drafting transaction documents, and working collaboratively.
• Master of laws students must complete a written comprehensive paper or project in connection with one of the required concentration-specific courses or as a concentration-focused, independent-study legal research and writing course under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

Full information may be found on the program website.