HELI Events and Programming
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative hosts a wide range of events that bring together legal experts, policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and the public to explore timely environmental law and policy issues. HELI programming includes panel discussions, book talks, faculty presentations, and symposia that foster dialogue on the intersection of law, climate change, and environmental justice. Events are open to all - from students, faculty, professionals, and community members - and often include both in-person and virtual attendance options.
Upcoming HELI Events
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative events are here.
For our past events, visit our previous events here.
Upcoming Events
Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report
From the Driftless to the Delta: Rethinking Water Protections in the Mississippi River Watershed
Join us for a timely panel discussion exploring how states, communities, and advocates are responding to the regulatory and environmental uncertainties left in the wake of the Sackett v. EPA decision. With a focus on wetlands and water protections across the Mississippi River watershed—from the bluffs of the Driftless Region to the bayous of the Delta—this conversation brings together regional experts to highlight innovative legal, policy, and collaborative approaches for safeguarding critical...
Finding Common Ground: Bypassing Polarization on Energy Issues Fireside Chat
The Private Sector and the Planet: Environmental Governance Across Industries series presents:
Watch Party – Finding Common Ground: Energy and Bipartisanship
Join us for a live watch party of “Finding Common Ground: Bypassing Polarization on Energy Issues,” featuring former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, a nationally recognized leader in clean energy and pragmatic policymaking. Hosted by Vanderbilt Law School, this conversation explores how collaboration can drive real progress on...
2026 Environmental Legislative Updates
Join the Environmental Law Society for a preview of the 2026 Iowa state legislative session, featuring insights from the president and CEO of Advocacy Strategies, a government relations and media consulting firm, and the senior director of policy and programs at the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC). The briefing will include an overview of key environmental and energy policy, land and water initiatives expected in the upcoming legislative session. This discussion will also introduce attendees to...
Student Stories: Reflections on Summer Environmental Law Internships
Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative and the Iowa State Bar Association for a dynamic session spotlighting Iowa Law students who spent their summer immersed in environmental law and policy work across the state, region, country, and world! Through 3–5 minute lightning talks, these future environmental leaders will share insights from their internships—from litigation and advocacy to research and regulatory practice. This session highlights the real-world impact of HELI’s experiential...
A Recap of 2024-2025 Events
During the 2024–2025 academic year, HELI hosted a dynamic lineup of events focused on climate governance, industrial agriculture, environmental litigation, and climate science. Highlights included the Economic Implications of Climate Change Symposium, a conversation with author Corban Addison on Wastelands, a panel on climate change and insurance with New York Times climate reporter Christopher Flavelle, a book talk with Austin Frerick on Barons, and a keynote lecture by environmental law scholar Richard Lazarus. These events reflected HELI’s commitment to elevating critical environmental issues and creating space for diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary engagement.
Some highlights of our events are here.
1800 +
Attendees at HELI's events
11
Different event co-sponsors
98
Panelists led HELI events
What kinds of events does HELI organize and support?
The HELI team hosts various kinds of events during the academic year. Those events generally fall into the following categories:
Hubbell Lecture Series
Leading voices from academia, government, environmental groups, and industry. Some lecturers are co-sponsored by other schools and programs at the University of Iowa or the larger community. The lecture series provides Iowa Law students the community the opportunity to learn from leaders of the environmental movement in the United States, builds relationships between the Law School and the environmental community, and contributes to debate about the environmental challenges facing our nation and the world. Students have the opportunity to meet privately with speakers during their visits to Iowa Law. All lectures are free and open to the public.
Careers in Environmental Law Speaker Series
HELI offers an event series focusing on careers in the large umbrella of environmental law. This event series includes public service and public interest attorneys, as well as attorneys in private practice and within larger firms and corporations. The practice areas encompass areas of environmental law, such as energy and sustainability programs, as well as more traditional compliance counseling and enforcement practices. Most speakers in this series are Iowa Law alums.
Panel Discussions and Special Events
HELI routinely sponsors panel discussions and special events throughout the year on current issues in environmental law with a particular emphasis on issues affecting the state of Iowa and the midwest region. The panel discussions are moderated by members of Iowa's distinguished and extensive environmental and sustainability faculty, staff and researchers. The discussions include presentations by academics, practitioners, and policy makers. Many of the events and panels are presented in conjunction with classroom discussions.
News about past events
HELI welcomes New York Times reporter, authors, and scholars to Iowa Law this Spring
HELI's Fall Programming Highlights Campus, Community, and Academic Partnerships
