How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? I am so thankful for the HELI grant I am receiving this summer because it allows me to work for a nonprofit cause I am passionate about! I am excited to learn about environmental advocacy and how to engage the public in policy initiatives. 

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? Growing up in California, I often saw the destruction caused by wildfires and drought. It is important to me to learn how to reduce environmental harms and teach others to do the same, so that we can protect nature and all its beauty. 

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? In this role I will be responsible for leading a community outreach event where DWD will teach Iowans about what they can do to support our work and protect their water. 

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I coached women's collegiate cross country in Virginia. 

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? This funding has provided me with the choice to do environmental work and advocacy - alleviating the financial pressure of immediately jumping into the corporate sphere. I hope to continue giving back - through pro-bono or other work - my entire career. 

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? I strongly believe in advocacy and community-centered work. As an Iowan, I understand the pollution in our water systems and quality and am excited to contribute to solving that problem. As an American, I understand it is part of our democratic duty to speak up and hold those in power accountable. It can be easy to assume others will fix our problems but there is empowerment in being a part of the solution yourself. 

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? I hope to use my strong legal research and writing skills to take the beliefs and momentum of the Driftless Water Defenders into concrete legal action - through litigation or legislative action. 

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I spent Summer 2019 working with Archelon in Zakynthos, Greece towards turtle preservation - I even lived in an olive grove! 

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? Receiving a grant from HELI made this job opportunity possible for me.  Without it, I would not have been able to take an unpaid summer position.  I chose to work for Ducks Unlimited because it aligned with both my personal and professional interests.  My career goals involve doing work related to real estate and property law or serving as in-house counsel, so being exposed to property and business-related issues will help me gain experience that will benefit me in the long run.  Personally, I am interested in land management and conservation, so being able to work for an organization who focuses on these aspects on environmental law was extremely intriguing.

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? As an avid hunter and fisherman, conservation is extremely important to me. I enjoy nature and understand the value of our natural resources.  If land and wildlife are not managed appropriately, habitat will be destroyed and populations will be depleted as humans continue to expand into previously undeveloped areas. Therefore, people must take active roles in ensuring that wildlife populations and natural habitat, along with conservation practices and hunting rights, are protected for future generations to enjoy. 

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? By working at Ducks Unlimited, I hope to help the organization increase the amount of land enrolled in conservation programs and protect people’s abilities to hunt waterfowl and other animals sustainably in the future. Wildlife relies on having habitat for survival, so if organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited, did not work to protect these resources, more land would be developed for human use and wildlife would suffer. Thoughtful wildlife management practices also need to be advocated for so that hunters can continue our traditional ways of life without depleting natural resources and wildlife to unsustainable levels. I plan to use my experience with these practices and issues at Ducks Unlimited to help me assist farmers and landowners enroll in land management programs in the future.

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I went on my first deer hunt with my dad when I was in grade school and went on my first duck hunt with my cousin a few years later. These experiences changed my life, and I have loved the outdoors ever since.  Now, I spend the majority of my free time outside doing something on the farm, fishing, or hunting deer, turkey, waterfowl, and elk. I hope future generations are able to enjoy the outdoors like I do for many years to come. 

James Feeney, Class of 2027

Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals?  This funding will enable me to get valuable experience in working in the field of environmental law. I hope to be able to learn about how the environment is regulated locally, and how the environmental law field can affect Iowan’s everyday livelihood. 

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? I feel that by earning a law degree and learning to be an advocate, I should choose to advocate for people and causes that I truly care about. I hope to work towards creating a healthier world for those around me and for those who will continue to live in it far into the future. As the legal world offers so many different paths, I feel that a path that works for the good of all is one that I want to be on in my life.

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? I plan to be able to have a lasting effect on how people can understand and interact with Polk County’s Air Quality Division through helping to refine the permitting process and general understanding of the regulations. I hope that this can help the public to see why this field is so important and how their everyday activities have an effect on the world around them.

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I currently am an IGHSAU/IHSAA referee for high school soccer in Iowa!

Julia Hallauer, Class of 2027

Hometown: Houghton Lake, Michigan

Where are you working this summer, and what will you be working on? This summer, I’m interning with the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club, where I’ll be conducting legal research on environmental issues, including nuclear energy regulation and water pollution concerns specific to Iowa.

However, this summer I have the chance to see the total flip sign of the coin, the perspective of the regulated. The University of Iowa is a massive Big Ten university, hosting approximately 30,000 students, not to mention the working professionals at the University and the broader community that uses its campus. After learning about the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other important regulatory schemes in depth, I now have the opportunity to see how these laws really work in action, not to mention state and local rules and regulations. I think this opportunity will broaden my perspective of what “environmental work” looks like as an attorney and better round out my understanding of where I can make the most impact.  

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I was born in Iowa City. Thus, it is quite ironic that I will be working at the University that brought me into this world. The University of Iowa has a special place in my heart. So, it just makes sense to give back and be a part of its future. 

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Megan LeBlanc, Class of 2027

Hometown: DeKalb, Illinois

Where are you working this summer, and what will you be working on? I will be assisting Clean Wisconsin's attorneys and staff with legal research and litigation, especially with clean water issues and energy issues. 

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals?  This internship will further my career goals by allowing me to explore multiple topics in environmental law in depth, develop research and litigation skills, and work with attorneys who are doing incredible work protecting Wisconsin's resources. I will also get to see how the organization advocates for strong environmental policies in the Wisconsin legislature and have the chance to work alongside environmental scientists conducting sound research to back the organization's litigation!

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? My interest in environmental law comes from my commitment to social justice, love of Iowa's prairies, and passion for working with disadvantaged communities who are disproportionately impacted by environmental harm. I am also interested in pursuing a career in environmental law to hold corporations and government entities accountable for their environmental impact. Prior to coming to law school, I worked as a paralegal for Iowa Legal Aid's Disaster project
and observed how low-income Iowans were hit hardest by natural disasters. Having the chance
to help address ongoing civil legal needs following tornadoes, floods, and the 2020 derecho was
incredibly rewarding.

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Gabi Martin, Class of 2026

Hometown: Golden Valley, Minnesota
Where are you working this summer, and what will you be working on? I will be assisting the EIA Ocean team with research and writing surrounding their efforts towards securing the Global Plastics Treaty.

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals?  This internship is an example of the exact type of work I would like to pursue. I have always been interested international environmental law, and through this internship I will be able to gain critical experience in exactly that field. I will have the opportunity to work on critical methods towards protecting our environment for the entire globe. This internship will provide me with essential knowledge and hands-on work in the field of international environmental law. It will provide me with the opportunity to work among an extremely successful environmental law non-profit which which effects real and substantial change in this critical moment in our environmental history.

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? My interest in environmental law is at the forefront of my motivations for becoming a lawyer and pursuing law school. It has always been my main objective to work towards a better and more stable global environment. In my undergraduate education I received a minor in environmental policy and took many courses relevant to creating forward moving sustainability. Throughout law school I have taken a course in international environmental law, land use, and been involved in the Environmental Law Society. While so far much of my coursework has focused on required and a broad legal education, I plan to continue taking many of the offered environmental courses available to me.

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Cara Meyer, Class of 2027

Hometown: Golden Valley, Minnesota

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals?  Thanks to HELI's funding, I get to spend my summer working at a nonprofit organization doing legal work I care about - and get paid for it. I greatly appreciate this support.

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? The health and safety of our communities, not just in the future but in the present moment as well, depends on us taking action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. As someone who loves spending time outdoors in all seasons, whether that be cross-country skiing, camping, biking, or going on walks, it's important for me to work towards creating a more sustainable world.

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? One issue MCEA focuses on is Environmental Justice, which looks at how it is most often marginalized communities who are most exposed to environmental pollution and the chronic health issues this can engender. I look forward to learning more about their efforts and how they collaborate with affected communities.

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? During the year between high school and college, I took a gap year in Germany, where I got to experience the joys of widespread public transportation and their strictly followed color-coded recycling system.

Veronica Miller, Class of 2026

Hometown: Crete, Nebraska

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? Without financial support from HELI summer stipends, public interest work like this would not be possible for many students, including myself. I worked at a firm last summer but felt encouraged after taking Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Law and Administrative Law with Prof. Roesler to explore a public interest opportunity in environmental law. Without HELI's advocacy in promoting positions like these and financial support to make them more accessible, my upcoming summer would look very different.

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? I came to law school because I believe lawyers are some of the best people equipped with the skills to solve some of our communities' most pressing challenges. Public interest environmental work at the Sierra Club is exactly one of those places working diligently to address issues through the legal system using grassroots environmental work.

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? Working for the Sierra Club combines many of my interests in law school: public interest work, litigation, administrative law, protecting the environment, and social justice. I know I will be able to contribute in meaningful ways to the important work and mission of the Sierra Club. Fighting for environmental protection at national, regional, and local levels is one of the most effective ways I see being able to create positive change in our communities.

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I lived in Spain after I graduated from undergrad and taught English at a public high school, including one-on-one tutoring with Ukrainian refugees. 

Anthony Mundt, Class of 2026

Hometown: Durant, Iowa

Where are you working this summer, and what will you be working on? I am working with The Nature Conservancy on their Water Policy Accelerator and North America Agriculture Project.

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? The funding from HELI has provided me with the opportunity to take an unpaid internship in the first place. Because of the grant I received, I can afford to gain experience in an area that I deeply care about.

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? Public interest work is important to me because there is no financial incentive to do this kind of work. Public interest work is completely driven by the will to help others live a happy, healthy life.

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? I plan to use this position to create change by helping The Nature Conservancy push for cleaner waters and a healthier human environment.

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I went to Drake Law School for my 1L year and probably would not have been able to take this opportunity if I had stayed.

Pragnya Ramprasad, Class of 2027

Hometown: Pune, Illinois

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? I come from a biology background and have always been interested in policy-related work. As such, environmental policy was a natural area of interest for me. I would not have been able to explore this field without the funds to support my living expenses while I am in a bigger city.

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? Environmental work is a field with ever-increasing relevance, both to combat potential environmental crises and to establish policies that will allow us to transition into using more sustainable energy sources. Having lived in many different countries, I have seen first-hand the effect that differing regulations can have. I hope to be a part of making a positive change.

How do you plan to use this position or experience to create change? My work in this internship will involve comparative work between policies enacted by different states. I plan to utilize the skills I learn to do similar work on a global scale. I also hope to help the general public better understand how seemingly unrelated policies can affect the environment as a whole.

What is one fun fact or a notable life experience about you? I once attended a Harry Potter themed Model United Nations where I was Griphook the goblin! Unfortunately, we were unable to pass a resolution. It’s difficult when you have Tom Riddle and Hermione Granger in one room.

Shannon Walsh, Class of 2027

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? I have the long-term goal of working in the field of human rights/and or environmental advocacy. This internship with MCE will improve my legal research and writing skills, especially regarding state and federal policy and legislation having to do with the environment. I will be working under the direct supervision of an attorney who will be providing feedback on the quality of my writing and research. I will also gain new skills in community organizing and outreach. The opportunity to meet with state legislators will also give me hands on experience in networking and advocating in the real world with policy-makers

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? My undergraduate major and research was in sustainable global development. I completed an undergraduate honors thesis analyzing how economic development in Mexico influences indigenous breastfeeding practices. Before beginning at Iowa Law, I spent three months abroad WWOOFing. I spent 6 weeks on an organic subsistence farm in Guadalajara, Mexico and 6 weeks on a ranch in Uruguay that practices ultra-high density grazing to regenerate indigenous flora. These interests and experiences have inspired me to pursue advocacy for human rights and environmental protections through legal avenues.

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals? I have the long-term goal of working in the field of human rights/and or environmental advocacy. This internship with MCE will improve my legal research and writing skills, especially regarding state and federal policy and legislation having to do with the environment. I will be working under the direct supervision of an attorney who will be providing feedback on the quality of my writing and research. I will also gain new skills in community organizing and outreach. The opportunity to meet with state legislators will also give me hands on experience in networking and advocating in the real world with policy-makers

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you? My undergraduate major and research was in sustainable global development. I completed an undergraduate honors thesis analyzing how economic development in Mexico influences indigenous breastfeeding practices. Before beginning at Iowa Law, I spent three months abroad WWOOFing. I spent 6 weeks on an organic subsistence farm in Guadalajara, Mexico and 6 weeks on a ranch in Uruguay that practices ultra-high density grazing to regenerate indigenous flora. These interests and experiences have inspired me to pursue advocacy for human rights and environmental protections through legal avenues.

John Westfall, Class of 2027

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Where are you working this summer, and what will you be working on? Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  I will have a wide range of opportunities to serve and impact the community. Some areas of work we specifically discussed was the areas of land reclamation in areas affected by mining or drinking/clean water, though there were many other areas such as nuclear energy potentially needing more hands

How has/will this funding support make a difference in your education and/or professional goals?  This funding will help me to take part the summer legal placement program at Iowa, which I hope will help me take advantage of this opportunity I have working this summer to learn as much as I can about the practice of environmental law and to grow as a law student. 

Why is environmental or public interest work important to you?  I think environmental law is important to me in part due to growing up in the mid-west, where the environment is hugely important for the community and we see the impact of things like fertilizer run off or soil erosion as existential issues for our economy and health. Events like the 2008 flood or the derecho in 2020 also left an impact on me personally witnessing the potential destruction and hardships that can arise from nature.

Expanding professional networks and impact

The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative, made possible by the vision and generosity of Iowa Law alumni Charlotte Beyer Hubbell (76JD) and Fred Hubbell (76JD), provides an active platform for interdisciplinary engagement on critical environmental issues. HELI supports students, enhances the environmental law curriculum, and works to raise the bar for environmental leadership in Iowa and beyond.

HELI is proud to continue expanding its network of partner organizations to offer students even more opportunities to make a difference while gaining real-world legal experience. Organizations interested in hosting a summer intern in the future are encouraged to contact HELI at lawmail-heli@uiowa.edu.

Join us in congratulating and wishing our 2025 Hubbell Scholars success as they embark on these exciting professional journeys!