An interview by Andrew Hagenbush
An interview with Jessica Lee Reece
To some Americans, the health and safety of the environment is a principal concern- and not just those who wear Birkenstocks and reek of patchouli. To others, environmental regulations are seen as cumbersome and oppressive that ultimately hinders the free market. No matter what side of the argument one stands on, the environment is a hot issue in the public conscience and in the legal community. I spoke with Jessica Lee Reece to find out more about environmental law.
Jessica Lee Reece is a 2006 GSU Law graduate and an associate with Smith Gambrell, and Russell. She specializes in environmental, sustainability, and natural resources law. Supplementing her professional experience, Ms. Reece is also a board member for Generation Green of the Georgia Conservancy and is active with several environmental organizations and associations. We discussed what an environmental lawyer does on a week-to-week basis, what makes environmental law unique and appealing, and what a current law student can do now to find a job in the field.
What would you say you do here?
Advising corporations about recently promulgated regulations, litigating toxic tort and mold cases, consulting on sustainability issues, researching real estate due diligence and contract negotiation, monitoring carbon emissions legislation – succinctly defining the expansive and varied tasks occupying an environmental attorney’s typical day is as difficult as defining environmental law itself. Perhaps because clients could inquire about any number of the miscellaneous areas covered under the practice of environmental law, Ms. Reece argues that, “the best class you take in law school is Legal Bib.”
Ms. Reece expounds on this, “when you get into the day to day practice of law, a client will call you and ask a question and you would say ‘that’s a great question let me get back to you.’ It would be malpractice to just tell them an answer without checking it out.”
With the client’s issue in mind, the skills learned in legal bibliography become crucial. Whether the answer is found in a statute, case law, or recently promulgated regulation, an environmental lawyer must have well-developed legal research skills.
Ms. Reece notes that environmental law isn’t all about researching for your clients. In many ways, environmental law and policies depend on cutting-edge scientific research.
From policy to practice, environmental law issues hinge on questions such as “how safe is safe,” and “what is feasible.” The answers are often found in competing scientific studies.
However, Ms. Reece asserts that while environmental law is “a very scientific area” and “the litigation comes down to a battle of the experts most of the time,” an extensive scientific background is not a pre-requisite for practicing in the field.
As Ms. Reece explains, “I was a journalism major. I was not a scientist. I was not even scientifically inclined. I sat down with an… Environmental Law book and read that cover-to-cover. If you have some sort of science background it can be helpful- because there are a lot of chemical names and medical illnesses- but it is not at all necessary. [As a law student,] you probably are smart and capable of educating yourself. It’s a steep learning curve, but most everybody that goes to law school doesn’t mind learning.”
Why should a law student look into Environmental Law?
Ms. Reece explains that “environmental [law] is a lot of fun. You’re never sitting behind the desk doing the same thing every day.”
The work variety includes everything from corporate consultation to litigation to contract drafting.
“I practice in environmental law broadly... I do a lot of toxic tort cases [and] mold litigation cases. I also do sustainability law which is a lot more consulting and regulations [where] we monitor… the federal register… so we can tell our clients… to be prepared,” Ms. Reece explains.
The clients involved in the field of Environmental Law are also varied.
“There are a lot of interesting personalities. You will hang out with the most liberal tree hugging hippies and the most staunch conservative business owners… it’s neat to see how they reach a compromise.”
Ms. Reece acknowledges that convincing hippies and business owners to hold hands and sing Kumbayah may not be a realistic goal- “No one is ever going to get along, but that doesn’t mean you can’t all be happy at the end of the day.”
Not all environmental lawyers are green crusaders:
“There are a lot of companies that want people… reading the regulations for loopholes. [Companies] are trying to build coal power plants. So, if you’re on the other side of the argument, it’s a good time to reach out to those companies and those lobbying groups and say, ‘Hey, I’m on your side.’”
However, the extracurricular activities offered from some organizations on the “pro green” side of the debate might be more appealing for a young lawyer.
“Environmental law has the most fun events,” Ms. Reece explains, “It is a bunch of people that really enjoy the environment. We go on canoe trips, beer drinking socials, hiking, paddling the Chattahoochee, oyster roasts, and parties at Sweetwater brewery.”
How do you become an Environmental Lawyer?
I asked Ms. Reece what skills law students should work on to make them more attractive to potential environmental employers. Without hesitation she replied, “personality.”
Ms. Reece explained that, whether an environmental lawyer is dealing with opposing lawyers, colleagues, or clients, a good personality is vital to be successful in the field.
She continued, “You have a lot of people where personality can go a long way. Some clients are staunch economists where environmental issues are not the top priority and are just worried about their bottom line. If you have a personality where you can interact on their level, then you can help [business owners] to understand why they need to install an [expensive filtration] device.”
Essentially, a law student’s personality will help them communicate with clients and potential employers. Ms. Reece also recommends a student becomes familiar with what their future clients do- and not just during work hours, “Try to read a book that you are interested in that is on topic, if you are interested in Environmental read… Thomas Friedman… The Economist…the Washington Post.” If you can speak intelligently… you look more well-rounded. [Your clients] haven’t read all the case law, but they read Thomas Friedman’s column last Sunday.”
Although Ms. Reece recommends taking courses like Environmental Law to help a student understand the science involved and Administrative to understand how to interpret statutes and regulations, the key to getting a job is selling yourself, “Being a law-student, don’t forget you’re also a person. That’s the part they don’t teach you enough in law school- the business of being a lawyer- you have to get clients… and that involves selling yourself. Especially as a young lawyer you have to have people that meet you and remember you, that you’re personable and friendly, and intelligent.”
Ms. Reece mentions some organizations aspiring environmental lawyers should involve themselves in, “get involved with Young Lawyers Association with the state bar. Get involved in any other organization with other lawyers because networking with your colleagues is immensely valuable.” Ms. Reece specifically recommended participating in events with the Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper and The Georgia Conservancy.
Ultimately, the best chance a law student has to get a job in environmental law is to get involved with the legal community and network with potential employers. Ms. Reece explains, “If you want to do something and you don’t have a job yet, just have that initiative and go out and meet people. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve interviewed people and they are great, but we’ve actually got someone that’s met this [other student] four different times at four different events and obviously [that student] is involved in the community, cares about the community and is interested in the firm, and… if your grades are fairly decent, that can really separate you from the pack.”
Ed note: This interview is the first in our on-going series to provide law students with some insight into specific areas of law and what they can do to get involved. If you would like to explore a particular legal profession and write the next article in the series, please email DocketNewsEd@gmail.com.
- Login to post comments