Incentive for inclusivity

Emory Law’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law program has established a program to promote broader diversity in the practice of environmental law. The Environmental Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiative builds robust pathways for professional advancement.

It offers unique opportunities to train, encourage, and incentivize students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in environmental law.

The initiative provides annual scholarships (up to $10,000 per student) and summer stipends ( up to $5,000 per student) to Emory Law students who would contribute to a more diverse and inclusive envi­ronmental legal community. It also provides these students with oppor­tunities to engage with prominent environmental attorneys, commu­nity and business leaders, government officials, and scholars through conferences, workshops, or other formal and informal convenings.

The first round of stipends and scholarships will be awarded starting this summer, for the stipends, and the 2023-2024 academic year, for the scholarships.

Dean Mary Anne Bobinski said, "There is a striking lack of diversity in the environmental bar. Public interest organizations, governments, law firms, and corporations must diversify their environmental legal workforce. Law schools must play a role too, building a strong cohort of well-trained and diverse environmental lawyers."

"Emory Law's Environmental Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative will provide students with the financial support and profes­sional development opportunities they need to translate their interest in environmental law into an impactful career," said Mindy Goldstein, director of Emory Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program. "I look forward to watching our scholarship and stipend recipients become successful environmental attorneys, shaping envi­ronmental law and policy throughout the country."