Law school names new environmental program director

The IU Maurer School of Law is aiming to strengthen its environmental law program through its newly appointed director.

Carolyn Waldron was selected last week as the first director of the program.

As director, she will strengthen the program’s ties with groups such as the Conservation Law Clinic to give law students more opportunities.

“Our goal is to really develop a series of vibrant opportunities for students working for conservation,” Waldron said.

She said another aspect of the position that attracted her was the program’s outreach initiative to help nonprofit conservation groups within the state.

Conservation Law Clinic Director William Weeks said in an e-mail that Waldron has many connections that will help the program grow.

“Her energy, organizing ability and passion for the cause will help connect incredible intellectual resources in conservation and environmental law at the law school to Indiana organizations and people,” Weeks said in an e-mail.

Second- and third-year law students work in the clinic as legal interns and help give legal services to nonprofit organizations, the government and any other clients supporting natural resource conservation, according to the Conservation Law Clinic’s Web site.

Waldron said, in addition to working with conservation groups, she plans to help with programs that connect the Maurer School of Law and the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Robert Fischman, professor of law and of public and environmental affairs, was part of the committee that appointed Waldron to the position. He said Waldron stood out from all the other candidates.

“She has been involved in the private and nonprofit sector,” Fischman said. “She has led really important environmental groups.”

Waldron was vice president of the National Wildlife Federation – a 4 million-member private conservation advocacy organization – and helped create the Hoosier Environmental Council, according to an IU press release.

Fischman said the program dates back about 40 years, when a class about environmental law was started at IU.

The position as director of the environmental law program is funded by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Waldron said she would like to see the program help Indiana with conservation issues in the future.

“Over the long term, we intend to conduct a variety of programs where we can have a vibrant exchange with faculty and students and NGO (non-governmental organization) sectors collaborating on sustainability and energy policy and natural resources,” she said.