Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
The Environmental Law and Policy Clinic is training the next generation of leaders to solve environmental problems and to provide access to justice in underserved communities.
In the clinic, students from Duke Law and Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment work together in case teams on a wide variety of matters, encompassing water quality, air quality, natural resources conservation, sustainable development, public-trust resources, and environmental justice.
Working together on behalf of the clinic’s clients, students develop and hone their skills in litigation, conflict resolution, strategic planning, regulatory analysis, GIS, and drafting, building collaboratively on tools and insights developed from their various disciplines. They are encouraged to critically examine current approaches to addressing environmental problems communities face and contribute their own support for client-focused solutions. After participating in the clinic, students are better prepared to work across professions to address their clients’ needs and adapt to the evolving demands of their professions.
Clinic students review site investigations, present comments on behalf of their clients at public hearings, represent clients in agency proceedings, lead legal and factual research, draft proposals, and have been actively involved in litigation, regulatory matters, and policy development.
On behalf of its client, Oceana, the Clinic worked with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to develop a plastic reduction initiative for NC State Parks. In Fall 2024, teams of clinic students worked with Anne-Elisabeth Baker MEM ‘24, former clinic student and now Environmental Policy Fellow at DNCR, to survey NC Parks to identify and better understand sources of plastic waste. Clinic students presented findings and recommendations to phase out plastic bags and bottled water with park rangers and other state officials at the Interpretation & Education Summit in December 2024. In Spring 2025, the DNCR began implementing a pilot program at William B. Umstead and Raven Rock State Parks with a goal to expand the program to more parks.
Law in Action: The Clinic Experience
Clinical Professors Ryke Longest and Michelle Nowlin, co-directors of the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, talk about the clinic's work, how students get involved, the skills that students learn, and their favorite part about leading the clinic.
The clinic trains the next generation of leaders to solve environmental problems and provide access to justice in underserved communities.
Faculty & Staff
Ryke Longest
John H. Adams Clinical Professor of Law
Clinical Professor of Environmental Sciences and Policy
Co-Director, Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic919-613-7207
Michelle Benedict Nowlin
Clinical Professor of Law
Co-Director, Environmental Law and Policy Clinic919-613-8502
If your community needs legal representation to address an environmental problem, we may be able to help. Please fill out the Contact Us form to request an intake questionnaire, which is the first step in our evaluation. Organizations seeking new representation must return a completed intake questionnaire by April 1 for fall semester projects and by November 1 for spring semester projects. We do not take on new matters for the summer when classes are not in session.