Environmental Law Clinic

The Great Lakes Environmental Law Center works in partnership with the Environmental Law Clinic at Wayne State University Law School.   Law students work under the direct supervision of professors Noah Hall and Nick Schroeck to learn the skills and strategies needed to affect environmental policy in state and federal government.  Students participate in the lawmaking process by preparing policy papers and reports, commenting on rulemaking and permit decisions, and engaging in judicial review and enforcement litigation.

The Environmental Law Clinic prepares students for their future legal and environmental advocacy work while serving the community in Michigan.  The Environmental Law Clinic is a resource for citizens, community organizations, and government leaders working towards environmental protection.  It gives Wayne Law students the opportunity to play a critical role in solving our region's most pressing environmental problems.  Priorities and focus areas are protecting the Great Lakes and freshwater, transitioning to clean energy and curbing global warming emissions, assisting communities in achieving environmental justice, and ensuring good public process and openness in government decisions.  (See the coverage of the Environmental Law Clinic in the Detroit Legal News.)

Clinic students – Summer 2009:

Catherine Deciechi – Catherine is a third year law student at Wayne Law, graduating in December 2009.  A member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Alpha Delta, she obtained her BA and BS from Wayne State University.  She hopes to continue working with Mellon, McCarthy & Pries, P.C. following graduation.   Catherine’s environmental focus is on the Lake St. Clair watershed and spreading environmental awareness, starting with young children.  In addition to traditional legal work, Catherine is testing local Combined Sewer Outfalls and promoting water pollution awareness.  She spends her “free time” sailing, educating children in her Cub Scout Den, “Letterboxing” with her family, and engaging in community service with Phi Alpha Delta. 

Jason Dinsmore – Jason is a third year law student at Wayne Law.  A lifelong enthusiast of anything out-of-doors, Jason will look to focus his career on work within the environmental legal community, including emerging wetland and water law issues, sustainable use of renewable resources, public-trust law, and other legal issues affecting the use and enjoyment of the Nation’s natural resources and environment.  Jason’s work includes review of possible reforms for Michigan’s wetland protection regulations.

Nathan Dupes – Nathan is a second year law student at Wayne Law.  He graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in English and Spanish.  He is primarily interested in climate change law and sustainable agriculture.  In addition to his work with the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, Nathan is also assisting in the preparation of the new fourth edition of Environmental Law and Policy: Nature, Law, and Society, one of the leading environmental law casebooks.  Before coming to law school, he worked as an organic farmer and as a baker.

Eric Jamison – Eric is a second year law student at Wayne Law.  As an environmental capitalist he promotes the idea that environmentally sound decisions are crucial for the health of our planet and are integral to a successful business model.  Eric’s legal work is focused on climate change and promoting the adoption of renewable energy.  Eric has a background in business management and obtained his BS in General Management from Oakland University.

Elizabeth Kruman – Liz is a second year student at Wayne Law, and serves as a board member of the Environmental Law Society, the Jewish Law Students Association, and an Assistant Editor on the Law Review.  She graduated from the University of Michigan with a double major in the History of Art and Political Science.  She is primarily interested in sustainable urban development and redevelopment, mass transit, and other legal issues related to environmental justice.  She spends her free time traveling, camping in state and national parks, visiting museums and enjoys baking and doing yoga.