Second-year Iowa Law student Kegan Peters always wanted to pursue a career in social justice, and in 2020, when a hugely powerful derecho hit Iowa, her career plan took further shape.

“I became convinced that climate change is the biggest social justice challenge facing my generation,” Peters said. “I am interested in working to change the structural and policy issues surrounding climate change.”

Named a Hubbell Fellow this past year, Peters had the opportunity to work during the summer at Clean Wisconsin, where she performed a wide variety of duties, including pre-litigation research and composing memos to public organizations about their authority to track carbon emissions. 

The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) awards two fellowships each year to support students who are already in law school at Iowa and wish to pursue unpaid summer internships in environmental law. The fellowship stipend supports students who have chosen public interest or government positions.

“The Hubbells [who donated $5 million to establish HELI] have created the opportunity for law students to pursue their real passions instead of pursuing a completely different legal path simply because of finances,” Peters said. “It’s great to be meeting folks who could potentially be mentors and collaborators for my entire career.”

Hubbell Fellow Andrew Hamilton, also entering his second year, spent the summer working in the Alaska Attorney General’s Office.

“Alaska is a unique state considering the government’s influence over major operations,” Hamilton said. “As one might presume, oil and gas is a booming industry that competes directly with environmental considerations.” 

Hamilton’s internship included helping on a mediation and appellate brief, doing legal research for torts, and working on pre-judgment interests and highway easement deeds.

“I am so grateful for the expertise of the attorneys and legal staff in guiding me to develop these critical skills,” Hamilton said, adding that receiving the Hubbell Fellowship made it possible. “Without a doubt, the fellowship grant is 100% the reason I was able to accept this summer internship.”

He says his internship helped him realize just how nuanced the law is surrounding environmental issues. “I am learning more about these areas and have found a certain fascination regarding water law in particular.” He says he plans, however, to develop a general base of knowledge in environmental law before specializing.

Hamilton, who was medically disqualified from military service in his last semester at the United States Military Academy, says environmental law has provided him with another way to give back.

“I believe I have found another avenue of service to my community,” he said.