Santa Clara University

Future Protectors 

PURSUING PROTECTION

Before she became a third-year student at Santa Clara Law, Claire Doyle’s interest in the environment was sparked by an ecology course called Conservation and the Human Predicament that she took as an undergrad studying biology at U.C. San Diego. 

“It helped me see the connection between living and non-living parts of the earth,” she says, “and how complex that system is. If humans continue to act ignorantly, using the earth’s resources at the current rate, we could bring about our own demise.”

She’s been able to cultivate that interest, and to feel as though she might be able to make a contribution to the world as a student at Santa Clara Law. Doyle wants to work in the field of biological diversity maintenance, and her classes with Professor Manaster and Senior Fellow Burns have inspired her.

“Wil Burns has been doing a lot of work with climate change, and he recently talked to a Senate committee about it,” she says. “I admire his work and his ability to do it while keeping up with being a great teacher.”

Another part of Doyle’s experience at Santa Clara has inspired her: she recently competed in the Student Environmental Negotiations Competition, which was sponsored by the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California.

“We negotiated a case between a power company and two concerned environmental groups,” she explains. “Birds were being killed by the use of wind turbines. We represented the power company, which gave me some insight into the ethical question of how one resolves the idea of working for the ‘adversary.’”

Doyle realized that she believes in representing companies that might be categorized as adversaries to environmental protection, such as the power company in the negotiations competition, as long as they are concerned about complying with the regulations.

“I believe that it’s important for the nation to take immediate action to become environmentally conscious,” she says. “We are dangerously close to causing further, more drastic, and irreparable harm. I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy nature as I have.”

EXPLORING INTERESTS

“I really value the people at Santa Clara,” Mike Pittman, a third year law student, says. “We have a culture here that’s a little more friendly than other law schools, and the professors really care about teaching.”

Pittman earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy at Santa Clara. He appreciated the university’s values, and was familiar with them, so he decided to continue his education in the law program. He took a class in environmental law and was immediately engaged in the subject.

“It has a practical impact,” he says. “I think the greenhouse gas problem is coming to a head. It’s important to be aware of how big the problem is and how hard it will be to deal with. I am also realizing, more and more, that it’s difficult for other countries that aren’t as well developed as we are to worry about the environment. But working toward effective solutions is something all of us should be aware of.”

He’ll get his first taste of what it’s like to work at a law firm this summer with an associate position at Cooley Godward Kronish. He’ll split his time between the corporate and litigation groups.

“I’m really looking forward to the experience,” he says. “I’ll be helping out on cases and researching legal issues.”

Two legal issues that he wants to learn more about are land use and water rights.

“In the next two decades, especially in California, these are going to be increasing problems,” he says.

For now, Pittman is enjoying his classes and learning all he can.

“I really like the interaction with my classmates,” he says. “It’s nice to bounce ideas off of other people. There are often five different ways to answer a particular legal question, so it’s nice to get other people’s input.”

CONSCIOUS ABOUT CONSERVATION

Third-year law student Michael Gorman grew up along the Tennessee River in Decatur, Alabama. He was often around fishermen and hunters, and it instilled in him a keen interest in wildlife preservation.

“A lot of them are the most environmentally aware people,” he says, “because they’re so conscious of conservation.”

His concern for the subject deepened after he spent a summer working at a resort situated between the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.

“I was very curious about national parks and preservation,” he explains.

He recently completed the introductory Environmental Protection Law class, and says that it was fascinating to learn the framework of statutes such as the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. He was surprised at the steps companies have to go through to comply with environmental law.

Although Gorman is passionate about ecology, he’s also very interested in intellectual property law and he’s hoping to find a position that combines both of those things.

“I haven’t closed the door on either one,” he says. “But I would love to be able to work for the environmental section of the Department of Justice.”

No matter where he decides to focus his energy, Gorman is certain he would like to be a litigator.

“I like to get up and present material to other people,” he explains. “I like the idea of trying to persuade a judge and jury that I’m right.”

He is also certain that he’d like to live near a river or lake.

“I’ve lived so much of my life next to the Tennessee River,” he says. “It’s weird to me when I don’t live near the water.”