MCKENNA MARTINEZ interned with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). Martinez’s work was primarily focused on Texas-specific legislation on animal law. Her research included potential areas of improvement for animal law in Texas, and she worked on setting up an agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Some topics Martinez worked on included puppy mills, the impact of factory farming on the environment, and animal cruelty. Martinez enjoyed learning more about animal law over the summer, and this internship sparked an interest in environmental law in general.
CHRISTYN CAVAZOS interned with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Cavazos’ interest in the EDF was piqued when she took Environmental Law in the spring semester of her 2L year. EDF was a party to many of the cases she read for class, and she was interested in learning more about their work and getting involved. While at EDF, Cavazos worked in the air pollution division of their Washington, D.C. office. The division focuses on securing clean air and climate protection. Topics Cavazos worked on included greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act and major international agreements regarding transboundary pollution control programs on the U.S. and Mexico border.
SARAH ANGELL interned with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While at the TCEQ, Angell’s work revolved primarily around researching legal issues and writing memoranda on such topics as TCEQ’s authority to enter land during declared emergencies and the classifications of various types of waste. Angell also took part in the notice and comment rulemaking process by organizing and responding to comments received regarding various environmental permits. The highlight of Angell’s summer was attending public meetings across the State where the public can ask questions and make statements on air, water, and waste permit applications that TCEQ processes. Angell also enjoyed touring the scientific laboratories at TCEQ and learning how lawyers and scientists work together.
HAGAN WRIGHT spent the second half of his summer interning with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). When applying for this position, Wright highlighted his interests in land use law, water law, and environmental law, as well as his background in natural resources management. At the LCRA, Wright worked on various environmental and land use issues ranging from changes to the Clean Water Act to easement negotiations for LCRA’s transmission services corporations. He also worked on issues involving new state and federal regulations regarding underground injection and effluent limitation guidelines. His favorite part about LCRA was the wide variety of issues he was asked to work on and the many different forms of work products he produced. Additionally, he enjoyed working with many different attorneys and other members of the legal team. Working with more than one attorney allowed him to see how different people successfully operate in the legal field and also allowed him to network while at the LCRA.
ELIZA THOMAS interned in Region 6 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas. At EPA, Thomas researched a broad range of environmental topics and expanded her knowledge of administrative law. Thomas also sat in on meetings with companies that were subject to enforcement actions. One of the most notable parts of the summer was learning how EPA resolves issues and rarely goes to trial. Thomas explained that rather than litigation, EPA resolves issues through informal meetings and the use of alternative dispute resolution.