PEEL Launches Fellowship to Bridge the Gap for New Environmental Lawyers
Recognizing the challenges confronting new graduates in today’s job market, the Program on Environmental and Energy Law (PEEL) at American University Washington College of Law established a fellowship program to help graduates transition from law school to full-time legal employment. The new PEEL Postgraduate Fellowship Program offers recent graduates meaningful legal experience, professional mentorship and supervision, and a paid opportunity as they pursue long-term career goals.
“Many talented new lawyers are graduating into a difficult employment landscape,” said PEEL Director Professor Bill Snape. “This fellowship program ensures they can continue developing their skills, expanding their professional networks, and contributing to the public good during this transition period.”
Nine members of the Class of 2025 are part of the inaugural fellowship cohort, with placements that span environmental protection, corporate sustainability, international environmental law, wildlife conservation, animal rights, and environmental justice. Each fellow works under the supervision of a licensed attorney—many of them AUWCL alumni—on a defined legal project resulting in a tangible work product. The program has drawn strong alumni participation, with six fellows supervised by WCL graduates.
The PEEL Postgraduate Fellowship has not only provided employment opportunities for recent graduates but has also deepened the connection between AUWCL alumni and the next generation of environmental lawyers. Alumni supervisors have offered mentorship, substantive feedback, and meaningful professional guidance while engaging fellows in high-impact legal work. Seeing alumni guide and support new lawyers demonstrates the strength of the AUWCL community and its shared commitment to advancing environmental and energy law in the public interest.
Through this first cohort, the PEEL Postgraduate Fellowship is already demonstrating how law schools can creatively respond to challenging employment trends while staying true to their mission of preparing lawyers to serve the public good. The program’s success reflects the resilience, talent, and dedication of AUWCL’s environmental law community—and the enduring impact of alumni mentorship.
During their fellowships, graduates continue actively applying for jobs and attending interviews. One fellow has already secured employment, and the fellowship allowed her to maintain a continuous record of professional experience on her resume.
Meet the Fellows
Elizabeth Ross
Elizabeth Ross, who is now employed at Geary, Loperfito, and Generelli as an Associate Attorney, completed a fellowship with the Center for Biological Diversity under the supervision of Stephanie Kurose (WCL ’15), Deputy Director of Government Affairs. During her fellowship, she focused on government transparency and environmental protection through research on the Freedom of Information Act and Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting and litigation.
David Kimelman
David Kimelman is serving as a legal fellow with Patuxent Riverkeeper under the supervision of Riverkeeper Fred Tutman and PEEL Director Professor Bill Snape. David is conducting research to inform litigation strategies concerning a proposed plastic waste facility. Many community members oppose the project due to environmental and health concerns, and while a local coalition has already pursued legal remedies, David is performing in-depth statutory, case law, and factual research to develop additional legal strategies in collaboration with community advocates.
Kimly Tran
Kimly Tran is contributing to the Environmental Justice State-by-State Project, operated by the Environmental Justice Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School. Working under Karim Marshall (WCL ’08), former Senior Advisor at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kimly researches and updates state-level environmental justice policies, legislation, and regulations across the country—building resources that strengthen advocacy strategies nationwide.
Yonah Wasik
Yonah Wasik has joined the American Composite Manufacturers Association under the supervision of CEO Cindy Squire (WCL ’01). Yonah is preparing a comprehensive research memorandum analyzing microplastics legislation in all 50 states and assessing its implications for composite manufacturing. Yonah is also providing the association’s members with guidance on how to best comply with Clean Air Act Title V permitting requirements.
Katie Charlebois
Katie Charlebois is working with Peregrine Environmental Consulting under the guidance of AUWCL Professor Emeritus David Hunter. Her research supports efforts to expand the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Exclusion List to align with global environmental treaties and standards, including the Minamata and Basel Conventions, ensuring that international development financing is consistent with climate and environmental law. The project advocates for stronger IFC Performance Standards, which not only set environmental and social requirements for private sector borrowers but also serve as the de facto environmental and social benchmark across developing countries.
Amanda Scheicht
Amanda Scheichet is gaining in-house experience with Pfizer, Inc., supervised by Sally Fisk (WCL ’01), Vice President and Chief Counsel for Environmental & Sustainability Law. Amanda supports the company’s Environmental, Health, and Safety team on a range of regulatory matters—researching emerging environmental laws, reviewing contract provisions, and contributing to sustainability reporting and compliance efforts.
Mathew Bersin
Matthew Bersin is assisting the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) under Staff Attorney Laura Peterson (WCL ’11). His work spans complex public lands litigation, including research on Utah’s statutes of limitation for quiet title actions and oil and gas lease challenges. He is also analyzing Endangered Species Act obligations for Utah’s public lands and preparing materials to support future FOIA and GRAMA requests.
Jake Helfant
Jake Helfant is working with the American Forest & Paper Association under Jesse Levine (WCL ’10), Senior Director of Energy and Environmental Policy. Jake’s research supports the association’s legal and policy work on federal energy and environmental regulations, including pipeline safety, biomass incentives, and evolving federal frameworks affecting the pulp and paper industries.
William "Billy" Siefert
William (“Billy”) Siefert has joined the Nonhuman Rights Project, supervised by Rebecca Garverman. His research explores the legal theory and common-law evolution of personhood, analyzing how corporations and other nonhuman entities gained legal status and how similar arguments might apply to advancing animal rights.
This program has been made possible through the generous support of AUWCL alumni, friends of the Program on Environmental and Energy Law, and PEEL’s endowed funds. Their contributions have directly supported new graduates in gaining meaningful, hands-on legal experience at a critical time in their professional development.
Interested in partnering as a supervising mentor?
Contact Ingrid Lesemann (WCL’18), PEEL Coordinator, at lesemann@wcl.american.edu to learn more about participating in the PEEL Postgraduate Fellowship Program.