Carol Wan ‘25 Awarded 2023 Stuart Henry Environmental Law Fellowship

Rising second-year student Carol Wan ‘25 has received the 2023 Stuart Henry Environmental Law Fellowship, a fellowship created in honor of Stuart Henry, renowned Austin environmental attorney and activist, who died in 2018. The first fellowship was first awarded in summer 2019.

The summer fellowship funds students to work with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits providing legal services or law-related advocacy on behalf of underrepresented individuals or communities working to preserve Texas’ natural resources and to protect the Texans who rely on those resources. The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law administers the fellowship at the law school, with the assistance of the Texas Law Environmental Clinic. The fellowship is part of the law school’s Summer Public Service Program.

Wan is working with Bayou City Waterkeeper, a water justice organization that focuses on the Lower Galveston Bay watershed. She will assist with legal issues related to water, infrastructure, and climate injustices affecting communities across greater Houston. “My ultimate goal is to work in impact litigation, which involves using legal strategies to effect systemic change and address larger social and environmental issues,” said Wan. “Through my work with Bayou City Waterkeeper, I hope to gain valuable experience in this field and learn how to advocate for the rights of those most vulnerable while protecting the environment.”

As a first-year student, Wan participated in several projects of Mithoff Pro Bono Program. In her spare time, she enjoys bouldering, sports climbing, and other outdoor activities. Wan hopes to pursue a career in environmental law.

“I’m excited that the Stuart Henry Fellowship is funding Carol’s much needed work to address systemic injustices related to climate change and infrastructure,” said Kelly Haragan, director of the Environmental Clinic. “We need smart people like Carol thinking about how Houston and other cities can equitably address ongoing climate impacts.”