WHITE PLAINS, NY – Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law (Pace Law) was ranked number one in the country for environmental law, a signature program at the school, by the latest U.S. News and World Reportrankings, released today.

Today’s news is the latest major success for the program, which has consistently been rated among the strongest in the country. Recently, the environmental law program has recruited top faculty who are recognized scholars in climate change law, international human rights law and natural resources and food systems law.

“At Pace University, we prepare students to change the world,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “Our environmental law program, which trains attorneys for this critically important field, has long done world-recognized work. It is fitting that it’s now the top-ranked program in the country.  Congratulations to our Law School’s faculty, staff, and students on this much-deserved recognition, and thanks to the Haub family for their commitment to the environment and to the Law School.”

“For the past four decades, our environmental law program has led the way in training environmental defenders and advocates who have gone on to serve in law firms, government agencies and NGOs across the globe,” said Dean Horace Anderson. “We are proud that in our program’s 40thanniversary year, the scholarship of our faculty, the quality of our teaching and the experiential learning opportunities we provide to our students has propelled us to the top of the field.”

The Law School’s newest clinic, the Food and Beverage Law Clinic, was established in 2017 to provide transactional legal services to small- and medium-sized farms, food and beverage entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations seeking to improve food systems across the region.These developments are ensuring that Pace’s environmental law program remains top among its peers.

“We are proud of our work training practitioners, advocates and environmental defenders, but humbled by the challenges that lie ahead,” said Jason Czarnezki, Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs. “Our attention is focused on fostering the aggressive reduction of carbon emissions in light of the climate crisis, rebuilding our country’s commitment to environmental law, and fighting for environmental, social and economic justice.”​

The environmental law program is unique in many ways. Notably, Pace Law is only one of two law schools worldwide to be a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The School’s membership allows students to draft memoranda, debate issues and attend meetings, including the World Conservation Congress and U.S. National Committee meetings.

The Law School also has the distinction of being Co-Secretariat to the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, helping to build environmental legal education capacity and promote the conceptual development of environmental law internationally. Through the UN Diplomacy Practicum, students provide assistance to UN country Missions by attending meetings on behalf of the Missions and by preparing memoranda and/or research papers on a range of issues such as climate change, renewable energy, fisheries protection, and forest management. All of these opportunities provide Pace Law students with the tools they need to be leaders in environmental law.

Pace Law offers more than 40 environmental law courses. Students can research cutting-edge areas of the law through on-campus centers and institutes that focus on various areas of environmental law including the Pace Energy & Climate Center and the Land Use Law Center, and can represent public interest groups as a student practitioner in the Environmental Litigation Clinic. Students can choose from unparalleled opportunities to develop their skills internationally and through on-the-job practical externships. Pace Law also stands out from other top environmental law programs because of its proximity to New York City (less than 40 minutes by train) and Washington, D.C. (less than two hours by air).

Over the past several years, Pace’s environmental law programs have received numerous recognitions and accolades in recognition of its excellence. In May, the program will be given the Hudson Hero Award by Riverkeeper, which works to preserve the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Hudson River.