Student Organization Spotlight: Environmental Law Society The Environmental Law Society aims to bring together students with an interest in and appreciation of environmental law and policy.

By Law Communications
March 20, 2026

The Environmental Law Society (ELS) aims to bring together students with an interest in and appreciation of environmental law and policy. The board’s mission is to facilitate education and engagement through informational events, panel discussions, local outings, and collaborations with community organizations.

What are the upcoming events scheduled for this semester or any ongoing activities for the members in the group?

ELS is soon to collaborate with the National Lawyers Guild (NGL) to host a panel event tentatively focusing on recent challenges to data centers in Appalachia. The board is excited to co-host this event for Earth Month and hopes to explain the role of lawyers and law in environmental justice. Though ELS and NLG are still ironing out the details, the event will take place mid-April, so be sure to keep a look out for specifics!

How can alumni get involved?

ELS is always excited to connect with alumni and welcomes any mentorship, networking, or opportunities for advice that may come our way. Being that some students may be unsure of how to break into the field, alumni involvement serves an important role in helping current students find environmental opportunities. Whether through informational conversations, speaker panels, or simply sharing personal career insights, alumni perspectives help demystify environmental law. We are grateful for the continued support of our alumni community and look forward to future alumni involvement.

Are there mentorship opportunities?

Currently, there is no formal mentorship program. However, the ELS board encourages members to reach out with any questions about law school, career planning, or getting involved in environmental law. As 2Ls and 3Ls, board members are happy to share the resources, experiences, and connections they have made during their time in law school. While these conversations are informal, they are an important way for newer members to learn how to pursue their interests in environmental law and how to do it more confidently and successfully.

Do you have any goals for the organization this year?

This year, ELS’s main goal has been, and continues to be, connecting our law school chapter to the larger Environmental Law community. For instance, our ELS chapter is now a part of Law Students for Climate Accountability and hopes to continue to enroll in relevant ABA groups. Beyond this, we hope to continue upholding ELS’s mission by providing a space that fosters future environmental professionals.

How many law students are currently involved?  How has the law school community supported students in this organization?

ELS currently has about 30 members. We were fortunate to see strong interest from the current 1L class and hope to maintain that level of engagement for years to come. Student interest is the bedrock of any student organization, and that enthusiasm has been central to ELS’s continued activity and growth.

Though W&L has long had an ELS chapter, last year was a revival of sorts for the organization. As a result, the board especially appreciates the continued involvement of the student body and the encouragement we have received from other student orgs and the broader law school community. We hope to continue building this renewed interest and further strengthen the role of ELS within the Washington and Lee Law School community.

Is there anything else to share about the organization?

If anyone has any interest in ELS, ideas for programming, or just wants to ask a few questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to hear from you.