Students will work with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a leading national and global conservation organization based in Arlington, Virginia, on projects covering legal and policy issues related to TNC’s work in the public and private arenas as assigned by the senior vice president/general counsel of TNC. Actual projects might include position papers on public conservation issues, education materials for the website, working on private conservation transactions facilitated by TNC, legislative work, etc.

In this clinical course, students work with the laws, regulations, and underlying policy related to real estate and land conservation issues. The semester will begin with readings and discussion to provide a common background for all participants on conservation law. The students will work both alone and jointly on projects, but the class will meet as a working collaborative group to discuss each other’s work, make suggestions and provide feedback. Students should expect to spend at least 4 hours per week on clinic work.

With permission of the Center for Real Estate Studies (CRES) Director and pending admission, CRES Harlan Scholars and CRES Associates may complete this course in fulfillment of the CRES Capstone Project requirement.

Approved for the Experiential Learning Requirement and satisfies the Writing Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application is required, and can be found in Student Resources on the NYLS Portal.

Please note: Per ABA rules, this course may only be used for one graduation requirement. Students must communicate with the Registrar to elect to count the course for either Writing Requirement or Experiential Learning Requirement.

Recommended for the Following Professional Pathways: Real Estate and Land Use; Tax; Government/Public Sector; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution

3 Credits: Full Year Course
Fall: 1 credit
Spring: 2 credits