Externships in Environmental Advocacy

Due to its location in Washington, DC and its close ties with numerous environmental organizations, the Washington College of Law offers its students the opportunity to participate in an Environmental Law Advocacy Externship Seminar taught by Professor William Snape, formerly general counsel at Defenders of WIldlife and now senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity. This course is offered during the semester for academic credit (from 4-6 credits depending on number of hours worked and no final exam). Students participate in a seminar, in which they learn skills related to environmental advocacy and get to share their externship experience with their peers, and work for 10-20 hours per week at an outside organization where they get real world experience working in the field of environmental law and policy. The Environmental Advocacy Externship Seminar gives students the opportunity to work in top public interest environmental law positions, while simultaneously receiving instruction and mentoring from a long-time Washington, DC conservation legal advocate. Beyond providing practical, hands-on experience in the environmental field, the placements have often been helpful in establishing contacts and gaining useful advice for future career opportunities. It's a great opportunity to have some fun and save the world at the same time!