University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law

Introduction

The Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and the Environment represents a concrete manifestation of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law’s commitment to the multidisciplinary study of natural resources and environmental law and policy.

Historically, Utah and the surrounding states have depended upon the region’s natural bounty to construct and then maintain a society in the arid Western landscape. The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, recognizing the importance of natural resources and environmental quality to the region’s welfare, has long played a leading role in shaping appropriate laws and policies to govern the use and preservation of these resources. The Wallace Stegner Center continues that role unabated.

LLM Program Description

The Wallace Stegner Center administers the LLM program. This is a full-time, one-year program providing advanced training in environmental and natural resources law. Students who have enrolled in the program hail from various parts of the United States and diverse foreign countries such as China, Nepal, Peru, India, Japan, Croatia, Italy, and Ghana. Besides possessing excellent legal education credentials, the students bring various professional experiences and backgrounds to their studies. Past LLM classes have included university professors, government officials, JAG (military) attorneys, entrepreneurs, practicing attorneys, and recent JD graduates.

To receive the Master of Laws (LLM) degree, students must complete a total of 24 semester credit hours.

Students holding a US law degree are required to complete

• a minimum of 17 credits in courses from an approved list of natural resources, environmental, international, and related law courses, seminars, and clinical work;
• at least one seminar requiring a major research and writing project (which may count toward the 17 credit minimum).

Students with an international law degree are required to complete

• an introduction to US law course (2 credits);
• one basic US law course (3 to 5 credits);
• a minimum of 15 credits from the approved list of natural resources and related courses;
• at least one seminar requiring a major research and writing project (which may count toward the 15 credit minimum).

A thesis option is also available. An overall grade-point average of B- or better is required for graduation.

Stegner Center Curriculum

The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law offers variety and depth in its natural resources and environmental law courses. Besides a number of survey courses, the school offers several seminars on advanced environmental topics. Courses and seminars are open to both JD and LLM students. Class sizes range from approximately 15 to 40 students for regular courses and 12 students for seminars. Clinical opportunities and skill courses are also available. Most courses are available on a regular basis, though seminar topics may vary from year to year. The following list shows curriculum offerings over the past few years:

• Administrative Law and Regulation
• Air Pollution Control
• Climate Change Law
• Colorado River
• Conservation Easements and the Law
• Contemporary Issues in Natural Resources Law
• Current Issues in Environmental Law
• Energy Law
• Environmental Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Environmental Law and Policy
• Environmental Practice
• International Environmental Law
• International Trade
• Land Use Control
• Law and the American Indian
• Law, Religion, and Environmentalism
• Mining Law
• National Parks
• Natural Resources Law and Policy
• Ocean and Coastal Law
• Oil and Gas Law
• Public Land Management
• Regulated Industries
• Takings
• Toxic Torts
• Water Law
• Wildlife Law
• Wolves, Wilderness, and Ecosystems

Application Information

Persons requesting enrollment in the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law LLM program should submit an application for admission by January 31 of the year the individual seeks admission. To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:

• Completed application form and fee
• Three letters of evaluation (at least one from an academic source)
• Statement of experience and interest
• Official undergraduate and graduate (including JD) transcripts
• For students whose native language is not English, an official TOEFL report from the Educational Testing Service (copies of the TOEFL report are not acceptable)

Applications must be submitted through your LSAC LLM Account.

Factors considered in the selection of LLM candidates include high academic performance, practice experience, work in related fields, and demonstrated potential for graduate-level work. A prior law degree (JD or equivalent) is a requirement.

Contact Information

For more information about the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law’s LLM program, visit the Stegner Degree Programs website or contact

Reyes Aguilar
Associate Dean
332 South 1400 East, Room 101
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
USA

Phone: 801.581.6563
Email: reyes.aguilar@law.utah.edu

The Natural Resources Law Forum

The Natural Resources Law Forum (NRLF) is a student organization open to all S.J. Quinney students. Members of NRLF share common interests in environmental law and responsible outdoor recreation. NRLF coordinates educational activities to serve the community and facilitates contact with leaders in the field of natural resources law. NRLF also sponsors social and volunteer activities such as tree planting, hikes, and cleanup of trails and rivers.

Strategic initiatives of the NRLF include providing substantive educational opportunities by hosting speakers on campus and offering field trips. Other activities include

• providing professional networking opportunities by hosting social events with Natural Resources Law Forum alumni and local environmental and natural resources law practitioners;
• promoting campus sustainability through a recycling program, the purchase of green power, and other environmentally friendly practices, as well as coordinating efforts with the broader university community through collaboration with the Office of Sustainability;
• holding used textbook sales to provide the student body with an easy forum for selling used textbooks and purchasing low-cost, used textbooks; and
• contributing to the Robert W. Swenson and Edward W. & Bertha J. Clyde Natural Resources Law Scholarships.

Career Services

The Professional Development Office (PDO) offers career-related skills training and education to students and alumni of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Its mission is to assist individuals in identifying and achieving their unique career goals. To this end, a variety of informative panels and programs, networking events, and Career Fairs offered throughout the year provide opportunities for students to meet practicing and nonpracticing attorneys and explore options in public interest, government, private practice, and nontraditional careers. As students prepare for their job searches, the PDO facilitates mock interviews and provides students and alumni one-on-one counseling for résumé and cover letter review and job-search strategies. Through the PDO website, students have access to many online resources and publications. Career-related print resources are available in the office’s library. Students and employers are connected through online job postings through the website and on-campus recruiting in the fall and spring. The alumni network serves as a resource for students seeking employment in particular practice areas, organizations, or regions.

SJQ graduates are hired into many different settings throughout the United States and abroad: judicial clerkships, government and nonprofit organizations, corporations, and law firms. With the professional skills developed during law school, students enter the job market prepared to face challenges with confidence.

The Professional Development Office is located in Room 195 of the S.J. Quinney College of Law, on the southwestern corner of the University of Utah campus. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. PDO can be reached at 801.581.7767 or careers@law.utah.edu.