For aspiring lawyers, environmental law is no longer just an elective for those passionate about conservation; it has evolved into a critical area of expertise in the legal realm. Amid regulatory changes in Washington and high-stakes litigation regarding climate disclosures and ESG investing, mastery of environmental statutes and administrative law is crucial. These legal professionals are at the helm of billion-dollar decisions, navigating an ever-changing landscape of corporate and governmental environmental responsibilities.

The importance of this field is reflected in the job market, where fluency in environmental law is increasingly seen as a requisite for career resilience and relevance. Law schools are responding by beefing up their programs to produce graduates who are not only skilled in the law but are also prepared to take on environmental challenges at all levels.

Recently, preLaw magazine, a publication of the National Jurist, unveiled its Environmental Law Honor Roll, which ranks law schools based on the strength of their environmental law programs. The evaluation criteria include a mix of concentrations, clinics, externships, and other specialized offerings. This rigorous assessment ensures that the schools listed are truly exemplary in their field.

The schools that received A+ grades for their environmental law programs include:

- Georgetown University Law Center - George Washington University School of Law - Harvard Law School - Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University

These institutions have distinguished themselves through comprehensive curricular offerings that prepare students to be leaders in environmental law. From in-depth courses and hands-on clinics to specialized journals and student groups, these programs offer a holistic educational experience that equips students to handle the complexities of environmental legislation and policy.

For more detailed information about these top-ranked programs and their specific offerings, interested parties can view the full report on the National Jurist’s preLaw magazine's website.

Congratulations to all the law schools recognized for their outstanding contributions to educating the next generation of environmental law experts. This recognition underscores the growing significance of environmental law and the critical role legal education plays in addressing global environmental challenges.