Environmental Law Council

The University of Memphis School of Law’s Environmental Law Council (ELC) was established in 1991 by a group of law students dedicated to environmental issues. This group of students was keenly aware of specific local and state concerns involving groundwater quality, industry reporting, and landfill locations.  The original members outlined four goals for the organization. These goals are as follows:

• To promote awareness and interest in environmental issues surrounding the public and the legal community, and to increase involvement in these issues.
• To promote the study of environmental issues through exposure to leading officials in the area, independent research, and collective discussions.
• To develop contacts with federal, state, and local officials and involvement in environmental issues surrounding our community.
• To provide a forum for students interested in environmental law to develop an insight into leading issues in the field and future employment opportunities.

As a young organization, the ELC's constant concern is gaining membership and maintaining membership commitment. The ELC offers educational and networking opportunities. As a networking tool, the ELC invites local members of the legal community to come and speak at the school. Although the ELC is a forum to develop professional interests, it is also meant to be a forum to foster friendships and professional relationships.

The ELC supports a team from the University of Memphis School of Law in the national Pace Environmental Moot Court Competition. Locally, the ELC’s Community Outreach Committee is planning projects on the University campus and in the city.  The Events Committee is currently involved in arranging speakers and other ELC activities.

Past activities have included hosting a panel discussion with conservation and industry professionals in the community and organizing a trip to canoe the biologically diverse Ghost Section of the Wolf River .