Oregon LL.M.

Student Life at Oregon

Land Air Water

Land Air Water (LAW) is the world's oldest student environmental law society. Each year LAW puts on the premier gathering for environmental lawyers worldwide, the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC). Now in its 25th year, the PIELC unites 2,000 to 3,000 attorneys, students, activists, scientists and concerned citizens from over 50 countries around the world to share their expertise during over 125 panel discussions. Past keynoters have included Ralph Nader, David Brower, Terry Tempest Williams, Paul Hawken, Winona LaDuke, M.C. Mehta of India, Antonio Oposa of the Philippines, and numerous others. LL.M. students at the University of Oregon will be able not only to attend the Conference, but also to help organize it, leading to lasting contacts for their future careers.

Even students at Harvard Law School (which sends several students each year to participate) recognize the incredible benefits of the Oregon conference:

"I've gone to the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene the past two years. For me, it's the biggest [benefit] of being involved with [the Harvard Environmental Law Society]. Many of the really big hitters in US environmental law attend the conference, and there is also a large contingent of international lawyers. The conference is a great chance to be inspired by the amazing things going on in environmental law."
—Rebecca Noblin, Class of '06, Harvard Law School

Throughout the year, LAW organizes an annual raft trip to one of Oregon's spectacular rivers, hikes in the mountains, and a variety of social events.

The Campus

If you are going to study environmental law, it makes sense to do so in a great environment. The campus of the University of Oregon promotes the opportunity for reflection and study.


Spring or fall, students take a break from studying to soak up the sun on Oregon's lawns.

Directly behind the Law School, the University's Museum of Natural and Cultural History uses Pacific Northwest Native American and natural resources themes in its architecture. Inside, exhibits include shoes made 11,000 years ago by Native Americans, found at Fort Rock in Eastern Oregon.	Students from all over the world come to Oregon to study in a welcoming atmosphere. See the website for the University's office of International Student and Scholar Services.

Housing Options

The University of Oregon maintains a wide range of housing for its graduate (post-graduate) students. Apartments and houses can be viewed at http://housing.uoregon.edu/apartments/.

Many law and graduate students live in private apartments near the university campus. A listing of current openings (which changes each day) can be found at http://asuorental.uoregon.edu/.

Graduate students who bring their families to Oregon have a range of child-care options. See http://housing.uoregon.edu/apartments/childcare.php. The Associated Students of the University of Oregon has a childcare subsidy program that may help some students. See http://www.uoregon.edu/~ccsub/

International lawyers at seal-watching stop on field trip.

LL.M. Field Trips

The Oregon LL.M. is not confined only to the lecture halls. The LL.M. Seminar includes field trips in the Pacific Northwest to discuss matters of environmental protection and management of natural resources with lawyers, public and industry officials, nongovernmental organizations, and other professionals who make this their life's work. Time is also made available on these trips to relax and enjoy Oregon's spectacular natural environment. See http://llm.uoregon.edu/trips/.

Recreation

The Student Recreation Center is open to all students and includes swimming pool, exercise machines, weight room, basketball, tennis, squash courts and much more. Students can also practice on the indoor rock-climbing wall or be trained in martial arts.