The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) at the University of Iowa College of Law will host an exciting lineup of award winning authors, experts, and scholars to discuss a range of environmental topics, including insurance markets and climate change, the history of our modern food systems with a focus on the Midwest, and the history of environmental law in the United States.
We hope that you can join us for one or more of these events. More information for each event is available at the website links. Registration is available for each event at the links listed.
With questions, contact the HELI team at lawmail-HELI@uiowa.edu.
The "Iowa Effect": Insurance and Climate Change with New York Times Reporter Christopher Flavelle
February 14, 2025 from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm in Boyd Law Building and Virtual
Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative at the University of Iowa College of Law for a discussion with New York Times climate reporter Christopher Flavelle and Martin Grace, Professor of Finance at the Tippie College of Business about insurance markets in a changing climate.
Christopher Flavelle has been writing about the impacts of climate change on insurance markets for years. In May of 2024, Christopher reported on a recent trend in insurance coverage, calling it the “Iowa effect,” wherein even in formerly low-risk places like Iowa, insurers are raising insurance premiums, restricting coverage, or simply leaving. Attention to this trend is critical as climate disasters increase in frequency and size.
Martin Grace is the Clement T. and Sylvia Hanson Family Chair as well as the Faculty Director of the Vaughan Institute at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. Martin’s research expertise covers a wide range of risk management and insurance topics, including the impact of catastrophic events on insurance companies and thinking about new ways of insuring for catastrophes that provides customers with the coverage they need while protecting the financial viability of insurers.
This event will be moderated by Shannon Roesler, Charlotte and Frederick Hubbell Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Law at Iowa Law.
Food and beverages will be provided for those attending the in-person event and register in advance. To register, fill out this short registration form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6XSHBLpuYAe9Gfk .
This event has been approved for continuing legal education (CLE) credit, which means that the one (1) hour spent in continuing legal education activities incorporated in this accredited program may be credited against the continuing legal education requirement of fifteen (15) clock hours per year, established by Rules 41.3 and 42.2 of the Iowa Supreme Court. Reference Activity Number: 420948.
"Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry" with Austin Frerick
February 26, 2025 from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm in Boyd Law Building and Virtual
Iowa's own Austin Frerick will be at Iowa Law on Feb. 26 to discuss his new book Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry. Barons is the story of seven corporate titans in the food industry and their rise to power, with a lens on Iowa and the Midwest. Barons paints a stark portrait of corporate consolidation, but it also shows that a fair, healthy, and prosperous food industry is possible.
Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance and attend in person at the Boyd Law Building. Register here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tceGi7TekGl5EW
Rising Temps, Rising Voices: 2025 Iowa Labor and Climate Conference
April 12, 2025 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus
The UI Labor Center and the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative will co-host the 2025 Labor and Climate Conference on Saturday, April 12 at the Iowa Memorial Union, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The conference will explore the impacts of rising heat on public health and worker safety. This event is free and open to the public.
Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance and attend in person at the IMU. Register here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6MxDFyAgJVqGMSO
The Making of Environmental Law in the United States with Harvard Law Professor Richard J. Lazarus
April 17, 2025 from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm in Boyd Law Building and Virtual
Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative and the College of Law in welcoming Richard J. Lazarus, Charles Stebbins Fairchild Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, for a talk about The Making of US Environmental Law - with a particular emphasis on the Midwest.
Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance and attend in person at the Boyd Law Building. Register here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6i1voCHMo2EjKNU
This event has been approved for continuing legal education (CLE) credit, which means that the one (1) hour spent in continuing legal education activities incorporated in this accredited program may be credited against the continuing legal education requirement of fifteen (15) clock hours per year, established by Rules 41.3 and 42.2 of the Iowa Supreme Court. Reference Activity Number: 420948.
We hope you will join us for these events. Each event has a virtual and in person attendance option. With questions or concerns, please contact the HELI team at lawmail-HELI@uiowa.edu.