By Judith Katz and Amy Johnson
July 2024
Every year the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) provides about 10-15 Berkeley Law students with research opportunities in environmental law and policy. In these positions, students have the opportunity 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 can California and China collaborate on and advance climate policies?”) to the local (e.g., “To what extent are cities ready to scale electric vehicle infrastructure?”). The donor-supported Energy & Environmental (E&E) Futures Fund is a critical resource in making this program possible.
Grayson Peters, J.D. ‘24, worked on a range of policy topics at CLEE during most of his law school career. In his first research project, Grayson conducted a statistical analysis of environmental decision-making by Trump-appointed judges. After that, Grayon researched state constitutional issues implicated by a proposed climate resilience credits program to promote open space conservation in the southern Santa Clara Valley. Later, during his 2L and 3L years, Grayson worked on a variety of projects, ranging 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.”
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. Grayson plans to continue his involvement with CLEE 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.
Daija Chambers, J.D. ‘25, worked on CLEE’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Equity Initiative at CLEE last year. This included her 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 Equity 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.
Students’ participation in CLEE projects 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.
To join the Nerd Herd, visit the E&E Fund page and make a recurring gift of $10 or more. Pledge frequency can be monthly, quarterly or annual.