Careers, Environmental Law Clinic, & Internships

As a non-profit law center, WELC makes a conscious commitment to train the next generation of environmental attorneys. WELC hosts an environmental law clinic with the University of Oregon Law School and an internship program for 2L and 3L law students from schools across the country.

Careers

We do not currently have any job openings.

WELC’s Environmental Law Clinic

Since 1976, the Western Environmental Law Center, through its relationship with the University of Oregon Law School, has provided law students with practical knowledge and hands-on experiential learning and training in public interest environmental law. WELC gives students an opportunity to work on challenging legal issues requiring extensive research and writing and directly involve law students in meaningful, hands-on litigation and related efforts in support of public interest challenges to environmental issues.

Students work under the close supervision of a lead staff attorney and meaningfully contribute to investigations and claims brought under federal statutes and state laws. In addition to their involvement and training in legal strategies, students participate in administrative processes that advance environmental protections outside the courtroom – teaching students practical advocacy and negotiation, and that litigation is but a means to an end, and not the end itself.

WELC has trained more than 500 students, many of whom have gone on to make substantial contributions to the field of environmental law.

WELC’s Summer Internship Program

The Western Environmental Law Center has a summer legal internship program open to law students from any school who will have completed their second year (2L) by the time of the internship. Interns assist attorneys with case development and strategy, conduct legal research, draft pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents. Interns are supervised by a local staff attorney. We provide assistance to selected applicants in finding free or inexpensive housing during the summer internship. We offer a flexible work schedule to allow for outdoor recreation and travel. Information about opportunities for summer 2025 internship positions will be posted in September 2024.