Every year the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) provides about 10 to 15 Berkeley Law students with research opportunities that enable them to apply what they’ve learned in their coursework to real-world environmental law and policy questions. Research topics range from the global (e.g., how California and China can collaborate on and advance climate policies) to the local (e.g., cities’ readiness in scaling electric vehicle infrastructure). The donor-supported Energy & Environmental (E&E) Futures Fund is a critical resource in making this program possible.
Diverse opportunities help student grow
Grayson Peters J.D. ’24 worked on a range of policy topics at CLEE. In his first research project, he conducted a statistical analysis of environmental decision-making by Trump-appointed judges. After that, he researched state constitutional issues implicated by a proposed climate resilience credits program to promote open space conservation in the southern Santa Clara Valley. Later projects ranged from mechanisms for publicly funding transmission lines to carbon emission standards for airplane fuel. “It was a lot of fun,” said Grayson. “I liked touching on several topics.”
Grayson Peters J.D. ‘24
The fact that Grayson was able to work at CLEE over several semesters made it possible for him to grow momentum over time. “Grayson’s research covered diverse topics, and he quickly got up to speed,” said CLEE Associate Director Ted Lamm. “He came in strong and became an even more sophisticated researcher and writer over time, co-authoring many of CLEE’s publications.”
This fall, Grayson will be joining Paul Hastings, a private law firm in San Francisco, where he will pursue his interests in environmental law. He plans to continue his involvement by attending CLEE-hosted events and as a member of the CLEE Nerd Herd sustaining donor group. “Besides the name, which is hard to resist, the Nerd Herd is important because it provides CLEE with an ongoing and reliable source of revenue,” said Grayson. “For an entity like CLEE that is dependent on donor gifts and outside contacts for work, it allows for more financial stability.” Grayson displays his Nerd Herd decal, a token of appreciation from CLEE for his support, in a place of honor.
Pursuing equitable access to clean technology
Daija Chambers J.D. ’25 worked on CLEE’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Equity Initiative last year. This included contributing to a guide offering advice and examples for cities looking to improve their EV transition efforts. “Daija provided valuable research helping to build our EV Action Plan Framework,” Lamm noted. “This will provide local governments with much-needed information to ensure zero-emissions mobility access for all.”
Daija came to Berkeley Law to explore environmental justice and environmental health opportunities, so the EV initiative’s focus on equitable access to clean technology particularly interested her. “I like how the project considered the impact on communities and the support they might need during the EV transition,” she said. “Not a lot of people realize how much work will have to be done as far as equity and how much of that will come from municipal governments.” Daija’s work at CLEE has reinforced her interest in environmental justice and litigation advocacy, which she hopes to pursue after graduation.
Daija Chambers J.D. ‘25
Student participation also gives CLEE research staff an opportunity to pass their knowledge on to the next generation of law and policy leaders. “I enjoy working with law students and introducing them to climate policy topics,” said Lamm. “It’s rewarding to see them apply their current legal training to our work.”
CLEE’s research opportunities, funded by donors to the E&E Futures Fund, including some in the Nerd Herd, not only enrich students’ academic journeys but also shape their career paths and commitment to environmental advocacy. In this way, CLEE donors play a crucial role at a time when thoughtful, equitable, and effective climate law and policy leadership are more urgent than ever before.
Learn more about or contribute to the Energy & Environmental (“E&E”) Futures Fund.
