3 minute read
Remote Possibilities
Even during the social distancing era, VLS students found opportunities aplenty to gain on-the-ground experience last summer. We caught up with some of them to learn more about the virtual positions they held.
Suhasini Ghosh JD'21
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POSITION: Summer law clerk at Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand, a mission-driven law firm; remote research assistant at VLS’s Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS)
PERSPECTIVE: “One of the most fascinating aspects of [the clerkship] is the opportunity to engage in the different stages of environmental litigation. Being able to take part in drafting documents and attending hearings has been extremely valuable. I am also a research assistant for the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. I am researching and drafting updates and additions to the Farmers Market Legal Toolkit, which includes updates related to COVID-19. Even though both positions have been virtual, I have been able to connect with, meet, and work with a lot of amazing people in the field.”
PURPOSE: “I am passionate about environmental law and both of these experiences have supported my goals to engage in environmental practice after graduation.”
Maggie Curran JD/ MERL’21
POSITION: Summer Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Philadelphia Energy Practice Group
PERSPECTIVE: “My summer at Morgan Lewis was everything I had hoped it would be, even in a remote environment. Projects I worked on included Virtual Power Purchase Agreement deals for the purchase of solar and wind energy. I completed research and drafted testimony for a Default Service Program proceeding before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Additionally, I completed research to support client interests in areas such as energy storage, offshore wind, electric vehicles, and microgrids. I was able to gain experience with a variety of different matters within the energy law field. This experience provided a great foundation for my future career.”
PURPOSE: “As a JD/MERL student, I’m interested in the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. When applying for summer internships last fall, I knew that I wanted to work in energy law and I knew that I wanted to work in Philadelphia. The Masters in Energy Regulation and Law (MERL) program at VLS made that possible for me.”
Andrew Cliburn JD’21
POSITION: Summer Intern, WildEarth Guardians
PERSPECTIVE: “I was fortunate enough to land my dream law school job. What initially attracted me to Guardians was their cutting-edge litigation in climate and energy, a decade-long legacy that has had a huge impact on how legal challenges proceed against fossil fuel extraction on public lands. About one quarter of U.S. CO2e emissions come from fossil fuels extracted from America’s public lands. Fossil fuel reserves currently in the ground on our public lands are enough (on their own!) to force our climate well beyond 2C if they were to be combusted. So the work to quickly slow that extraction down— indeed to shut it down—is very, very important. This summer, I’m working on several projects with the Guardians Climate and Energy group. I’m also fortunate enough to be working with the Wild Rivers group under Guardians’ managing attorney—which is awesome and a priceless learning experience.”
PURPOSE: “As a second-career law student, I knew before coming to VLS what I would do with a law degree. I would work relentlessly, and for as long as I’m able, to get justice for those whose voices are systemically underrepresented in our legal system—non-human and human alike. Our system can work for everyone— including the future generations of all life—it just takes advocates willing to fight vigorously to make that happen.”
