Hometown: Happy Valley, Oregon
Program: Online LLM in Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Law
Graduation Date: May 2023
Current Position: Staff Attorney at WaterWatch of Oregon
Stephanie Hayes is making a difference in environmental law as a Staff Attorney at WaterWatch of Oregon. With a commitment to protecting natural resources, Stephanie’s work reflects her passion for environmental conservation.
Before joining WaterWatch of Oregon, Stephanie’s career was primarily focused on employment law and labor relations for private companies. However, her desire to transition into environmental law led her to pursue an LLM at Lewis & Clark Law School.
“The program enabled me to gain the knowledge and experience to transition my career into environmental law,” Stephanie explains.
Stephanie is passionate about environmental law for its impact on conserving natural resources. “I believe protecting and conserving natural resources is the most meaningful work I can do,” Stephanie asserts.
Stephanie’s advice for those considering the program is to take their time and participate in an externship. Reflecting on her own experience at Lewis & Clark, Stephanie feels fortunate to have combined part-time online learning with a clinical experience at Earthrise Law Center, which perfectly suited her needs and family schedule.
Stephanie’s clinical experience at Earthrise was instrumental in shaping her understanding of environmental law and litigation. “The Earthrise Law Center was a great clinical experience,” Stephanie recalls. “I was able to assist with a variety of projects and learn more about environmental litigation.” She also enjoyed the Emerging Topics class, where she had the opportunity to learn, discuss, and write about a wide range of current environmental topics and events.
As Stephanie continues her journey in environmental law, we are excited to witness her ongoing dedication to protecting natural resources and making a positive impact in her field.