This year marked the 44th year for the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, the oldest and largest event of its kind on the planet. Aaron Isherwood, a managing attorney with the Sierra Club, has attended regularly since he was a UO law student in 1992.
"It's a crown jewel for the University of Oregon," Isherwood said. "After the conference, I feel so much more energy and enthusiasm for the work I'm doing."
Few events unite activists, lawyers and grassroots organizations from around the world in the same way, Isherwood added. Over the years, he's participated on panels and helped organize speakers.
But what he values most about the conference is the community it cultivates, adding that it helps attendees realize they're all part of a greater struggle.
The inaugural 1983 gathering was organized by UO Professor Emeritus John Bonine, former law professor Mike Axline and School of Law students. Students, by design, organize the conference independently each year.
Past keynote speakers have included renowned mountaineer and environmentalist David Brower, Physicians for Social Responsibility founder Helen Caldicott and human rights activist Rigoberta Menchú.
This year's docket included film screenings, speakers and award ceremonies. In law school classrooms, environmentalists from around the world learned about diverse topics and strategized during panel discussions.
Lively conversations spilled into the hallways. The law school's common areas, usually staid study zones, buzzed with animated conversation.
Brochures, stickers, T-shirts, posters and petitions on clipboards covered tables staffed by grassroots groups and national organizations. Many attendees stopped by to add their signature and strike up a conversation.
Discovering volunteer opportunities
"Legally, the Earth has no standing. It has no money, constitutional rights to due process or any of the things we enjoy as humans who inhabit the Earth. So it needs defenders."
Molly Cochran
Law students and conference co-director
At last year's conference, Oregon Law student Molly Cochran connected with the public interest law firm Our Children's Trust at their table. Now she's earning credit volunteering for the nonprofit focused on climate change.
The conference makes it easy to approach many different organizations, get acquainted and learn about their work, she said.
Working with Our Children's Trust offers practical experience, said Cochran, who described her role at the nonprofit as a watchdog tracking rulemaking and guidance memos distributed by federal agencies.
"Legally, the Earth has no standing," Cochran said. "It has no money, constitutional rights to due process or any of the things we enjoy as humans who inhabit the Earth. So it needs defenders."
This year, Cochran helped organize the event as one of four co-directors. After graduating this May, she'll gain more practical experience as an intern with the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Professional Networking
Conference co-director Jay Everett grew up camping and hiking in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountain Range, gaining an appreciation for nature from an early age. After graduating from law school next year, he hopes to work with a nonprofit or government agency on conservation issues.
The event connects attorneys with other volunteers and employees from conservation groups, Everett said. By collaborating, lawyers and nonlawyers can work toward shared goals more strategically, he added.
During a panel discussion on the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act at last year's conference, Everett learned about the work of environmental nonprofit Oregon Wild. He will spend this summer as an intern with the organization gaining hands-on experience that aligns with his aspirations.
"I'm interested, above all, in doing work that is rewarding, fulfilling and makes a positive impact on the world," Everett said. "That's what drives me to work in this field."
"I'm interested, above all, in doing work that is rewarding, fulfilling and makes a positive impact on the world. That's what drives me to work in this field."
Jay Everett
Law students and conference co-director
Exploring Current Legal Cases
"We're all so busy. Having this time when we know we're all going to be together takes away that extra step of coordinating schedules. Someone says they're going to the conference and you say, 'Perfect, see you there.'"
Abby Dompier
Law students and conference co-director
The school's environmental law program was a key reason third year law student and conference co-director Abby Dompier chose UO.
At the conference, Dompier said, she heard in-depth explanations of environmental law topics from attorneys involved in ongoing cases. In class, she often studies past cases, but learning about current litigation brings the law to life and makes it exciting.
For Dompier, meeting practicing attorneys gave her a sense of what being an environmental lawyer is like, day-in and day-out.
She added that the annual event serves as a sort of reunion for the environmental community - and a respite from work that's both fulfilling and stressful.
"We're all so busy," Dompier said. "Having this time when we know we're all going to be together takes away that extra step of coordinating schedules. Someone says they're going to the conference and you say, 'Perfect, see you there.'"
