The University of Iowa College of Law and the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) are proud to announce the 2024-2025 recipients of the Hubbell Award for Excellence in Environmental Law.
Launched in the 2023-2024 academic year, the Hubbell Award recognizes a graduating student who has made an outstanding contribution or demonstrated a strong commitment to the fields of environmental, natural resources, or energy law. This honor is awarded at graduation and includes a $1,000 gift generously provided by the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative, made possible through the support of Charlotte Beyer Hubbell (76JD) and Fred Hubbell (76JD).
Following the spirit of excellence set by last year’s inaugural awardees, the 2024-2025 Award will again be shared between two exceptional students: Kegan Peters and Alec Goos. Their leadership, scholarship, and dedication to environmental law have made a lasting impact on the Iowa Law community and beyond.
Kegan Peters
Hometown: Ames, IA
What opportunities did you have to pursue your interest in environmental law outside the classroom?
I served as the Environmental Law Society's treasurer during my 1L year, and President during my 2L year. During the fall and spring semesters of my 3L year, I externed for Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. My forthcoming note in the Iowa Law Review focuses on the land use conflict between clean energy infrastructure and agricultural infrastructure in Iowa. I also wrote a paper for my Federal Indian Law course that the Denver Water Law Review selected for publication; that note focuses on the water crisis in the West and the United States' mismanagement of the natural resources it holds in trust for native tribes. The ABA also gave several Iowa Law students, including myself, the opportunity to research and summarize President Trump's environmental executive orders as part of their new administration tracker. HELI funded my attendance to the ABA SEER's spring 2024 conference in Chicago and sponsored many events on-campus that I thoroughly enjoyed attending.
What did you do during 1L and 2L summers?
My 1L summer I interned for Clean Wisconsin, which is an environmental non-profit in Madison, Wisconsin. My 2L summer I interned for the Department of Justice's Environment & Natural Resources Division. HELI funded both of these summer internships.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I have a two-year term position as a staff attorney for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis, Missouri. I hope to get an environmental fellowship or environmental litigation position after that.
"I am so grateful to HELI for facilitating my summer internships, for helping me build my foundation of environmental knowledge, for creating a community of environmental advocates, and for fundamentally bettering my experience at Iowa Law." - Kegan
Alec Goos
Hometown: Adel, IA
What opportunities did you have to pursue your interest in environmental law outside the classroom?
I was the Senior Online Editor for the Iowa Law Review, member of the National Moot Court Team, published a Student Note in Volume 110 of the Iowa Law Review entitled, The Smell of Money? An Iowa-Focused Impact Analysis of National Pork Producers Council v. Ross. I also had other publications, Asymmetrical Standing: When Greenbacks Have More Value than Green Trees (or Not) (forthcoming) and Ag-Gag laws meet the First Amendment: Two recent Eighth Circuit cases. My 2L year I was Secretary of the Environmental Law Society and a member of the Environmental Law Society throughout law school.
What did you do during 1L and 2L summers?
1L Summer, I worked at the Iowa Environmental Council as a Law Clerk. 2L Summer, I worked as a Summer Associate for Dorsey & Whitney LLP in their Real Estate, Regulatory Affairs, and Trial groups.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be returning to Dorsey & Whitney in their Minneapolis office.
"I am so thankful to receive the Hubbell Award, it is such an honor. The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative has been instrumental to my success in law school, and I would not have had the opportunities that I have had without it. It has provided me with so many valuable connections and experiences that I will carry throughout my career." - Alec
The College of Law and HELI extend heartfelt congratulations to Kegan and Alec. Their commitment to environmental law exemplifies the values and vision of the Hubbell Award, and we are excited to see the important work they will continue to do in their legal careers.
About the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI)
HELI supports education, engagement, and leadership development in environmental, natural resources, and energy law at the University of Iowa College of Law. Through events, fellowships, and academic programming, HELI empowers the next generation of legal professionals to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Congratulations again to this year's awardees!