Events Calendar

ELS Speaker Series on Tuesday, September 18th at 12:00 pm in the Eidman Jury Room featuring Adam Abrams of the Texas Environmental Law Center. Mr. Abrams will talk about climate change litigation and the public trust doctrine. Lunch will be served.

This past summer, Mr. Abrams successfully litigated one of the first cases in the nation to use the public trust doctrine to force state action on climate change. (Angela Bonser-Lain, et al. v Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Case No. D-1-GN-11-002194). The lawsuit is part of legal action in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and against the federal government on behalf of youth to compel reductions of CO2 emissions that will counter the negative impacts of climate change. The case relies upon the long established principle of the public trust doctrine, which requires all branches of government to protect and maintain certain shared resources fundamental for human health and survival.

The Environmental Law Society is a social and professional student organization at the Law School that coordinates and brings together environmentally-minded students for educational, volunteer, career-oriented and social events. ELS provides students with networking events, an environmental job database, and its members' various experiences in order to assist fellow members in pursuing environmental career opportunities both during and after Law School. ELS also sponsors hiking and camping trips, happy hours, and speakers in an effort to provide a better Law School experience for its members.