Professional Development Opportunities

There are various opportunities available to Iowa Law students interested in environmental, energy, and natural resources law careers. 

HELI supports students seeking legal careers in the environmental community. We provide stipends for unpaid environmental law work, support student travel to professional development opportunities, and are developing a growing professional network to connect students with organizations of all sizes and fields. 

More about these opportunities are below.

Supporting Student Travel

Supporting Student Travel

The Hubbell Initiative provides funding for students interested in environmental law to travel to professional development opportunities. We support students who have been invited to present their papers at conferences, as well as students interested in going to environmental conferences.  

 

There are 2 pre-approved conferences HELI supports for students:

  • The ABA SEER Section Fall Conference 

  • Public Interest Environmental Law Spring Conference  

All other conferences, workshops, or events must be approved by the Faculty Director before funding will be considered. 

ABA SEER

ABA SEER Section Fall Conference

Held in various locations, updated and posted on the ABA SEER page. 

Learn more on ABA SEER website
PIELC

Public Interest Environmental Law Spring Conference

Held in Eugene, Oregon every Spring.

More on the PIEL website

What do students think about the travel opportunities?

ABA SEER

"This conference was a wonderful experience because I had the chance to listen to so many interesting panels. There was so much knowledge in one place, and it made me very excited about pursuing a career in environmental law. Everyone was so friendly, and I was able to meet so many attorneys who were excited to meet law students who were interested in environmental law."

Alec Goos, Class of 2025, Attended ABA SEER

"This conference helped me to realize how the different pathways one can take in environmental law fit together and relate to each other. The panels were insightful and interesting, but my favorite part of the conference was talking with practicing environmental lawyers and hearing what they do. Many were generous in taking the time to inform me about professional options, and I am grateful to have made new professional connections and friends. The conference also taught me how to learn in the classroom in ways that will help me in practice. I learned which areas of environmental law are in flux. This has helped and will continue to help me to adapt my learning in environmental law classes to leave Iowa Law ready to hit the ground running."

Nickolaus Cabrera, Class of 2026, Attended the PIELC conference

nickolaus cabrera

Partner Organizations

HELI is actively connecting and growing the network of partner organizations to support the avenues students wish to pursue professionally. Below is a list of organizations students might be interested in pursuing. This list is not exhaustive and students are encouraged to find other places. 

HELI supports experiential learning for Iowa Law students

UIowa Old Capitol

Hubbell Initiative expands environmental law in Iowa

Friday, April 21, 2023
This Earth Day, Iowa Law celebrates the expansion of environmental law opportunities for students, alumni, and the larger community in Iowa and beyond.
lss

New Iowa Law initiative supports students in environmental law

Thursday, October 27, 2022
The University of Iowa College of Law launched the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative for environmental law students, after receiving a $5 million donation.

Expanding our professional networks

The HELI team will continue to expand the network of partner organizations to establish relationships for future internship placements. If you are a member of an organization that would like to host summer interns, contact HELI at lawmail-heli@uiowa.edu