By Donna Attanasio, Senior Advisor for Energy Law Programs and Professorial Lecturer in Law
The Sustainable Energy Initiative at GW Law enhances our students’ experience by providing a portal to the “real world.” SEI’s research, conferences, outreach to alumni, and relationship-building across the industry help shape the curriculum to keep it relevant. It also offers students access to practitioners and exposure to cutting-edge issues. Energy will remain an integral part of GW Law’s Environmental Program as it prepares students to address 21st-century issues. Over the last six years, SEI’s research agenda has focused on the issues and technologies needed to transition the electric sector to one that meets 21st century needs for sustainability, resiliency, and quality at affordable rates.
These areas have included storage, “utility of the future,” transportation electrification, microgrids, community solar, disaster recovery, and grid modernization, with an emphasis on sustainability, collaborative processes, and protection of vulnerable ratepayers. To further this work, SEI hosts full-day programs and an ongoing roundtable discussion series that foster cross-disciplinary examinations of emerging technologies and current issues.
Students have participated in SEI work as research assistants, program participants, and co-authors, as well as benefited from learnings that the research agenda contributes to the curriculum. SEI’s future will include increased use of online and social media outreach and an emphasis on cross-disciplinary work, including with other GW schools through Sustainable GW, as it continues to explore the intersection of law, technology, and social welfare across the energy/environmental space.
In recent years, participation in the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court competition has provided students with the opportunity to hone critical practice skills while developing substantive knowledge. Funding from Bracewell LLP and Skadden LLP allowed SEI to sponsor teams in addition to those supported by the Moot Court Board. Expansion to additional competitions and other skill-building and experiential learning opportunities are another avenue for student growth and are among SEI’s goals for the future.
Alumni have been, and will be, critical to GW Law’s continuing success. Students with an interest in energy law have found work in private practice, nonprofit organizations, and government. Strong alumni relationships have been particularly helpful in easing students through the transition from student to lawyer. Energy Connectors, an affinity group for alumni practicing in energy, was founded in 2018, and is already helping to foster a stronger sense of community. Young alumni who have experienced the benefits of mentoring and networking firsthand have been a driving force in its formation, supported by seasoned alumni. In addition, alumni and others often reach out directly to GW Law when they have positions to fill or internships to offer, which helps build a strong career network for our students and alumni.