Client Services

Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic

The Environmental Litigation Clinic represents public interest environmental groups bringing citizen enforcement actions in state and federal courts on a variety of environmental and land use issues, including water pollution, compliance with environmental review requirements, and cleanup of toxic sites. These citizen suits are the last line of defense in protecting the environment and also serve to compel EPA and state environmental agencies to do the job they are required to do to protect the environment. Law students working under the supervision of a law school professor represent clinic clients in various aspects of legal work, which may include researching and developing cases, drafting litigation papers, appearing in court, and preparing for and conducting hearings.

The Clinic is actively expanding its range of work beyond Clean Water Act cases for its primary client Riverkeeper, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to protecting the Hudson River and its tributaries. In that effort, the Clinic takes on several new clients each year, which can range from very small, local community organizations through well-established, not-for-profit environmental groups. Prospective clients must be seeking help on an environmental matter of some public interest, such as cleaning up or stopping contamination. The clinic cannot take on individual claims for money damages or personal injuries, even if they are environmental. For more information, call the Environmental Litigation Clinic at 914-422-4343 or email EnvLitigation@law.pace.edu.