Summer Experiences: Andrew Kieffer, ’25, Climate Law Clerk, Climate Law Institute, Center for Biological Diversity
Andrew Kieffer, ’25, spent his summer in California doing climate law work in the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. A passionate advocate for climate action, Kieffer’s summer experience has been both personally and professionally fulfilling. He planning to pursue a career in environmental law.
How did you connect with this summer opportunity?
Like many young people, I developed deep concern about the climate crisis from a young age. By the age of 13, I began considering a career in environmental law, motivated principally by my desire for climate action. Thereafter, I started getting significantly involved in grassroots environmental advocacy. Most notably, I cofounded and directed the Wisconsin Divestment Coalition during my undergraduate studies. This organization was a statewide campaign petitioning the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin State to divest their endowed assets from the fossil fuel industry. During my tenure with the organization, we worked with attorneys at the Climate Defense Project to submit a legal complaint to Attorney General Josh Kaul and the Department of Financial Institutions. This collaboration became a formative experience that solidified my desire to become a climate lawyer.
Working with Climate Law Institute, therefore, has been incredibly fulfilling. For quite some time, I have desired to serve in a position where I can advocate for frontline communities in their efforts to decarbonize. However, I often questioned whether this goal was realistic. The Climate Law Institute assuaged these concerns. In my experience, CLI seemed to deeply value community lawyering principles and made genuine efforts to collaborate with community organizers doing the difficult work on the ground. It was encouraging to see such meaningful partnership!
How does your experience connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?
Of course, I find environmental advocacy both intellectually and normatively enriching. Personally, however, I have gained some of my most cherished memories and friendships doing this work. Needless to say, I think I naturally gravitate towards environmental advocacy, and I hope I can continue this work for as long as possible. I certainly think that the law can be a profound tool to protect environmental integrity, and I hope I can use my law degree accordingly.
Please describe a “typical” day at work.
On a typical day, I was generally drafting legal research memos explaining unique legal issues or contributing sections to project comment letters. Occasionally, we would also meet with community organizers to get their input and identify opportunities for collaboration. We also frequently had “lunch talks” where attorneys would discuss new SCOTUS decisions or complex areas of the law to improve collective understanding.
What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?
During the summer, SCOTUS released several opinions such as Loper Bright that could have substantial impacts on environmental law and the administrative state generally. In response, the Center and other environmental NGOs frequently convened lawyers to discuss these changes in the law and adjust litigation strategy. It was heartening to see how swiftly attorneys responded to these changes to ensure we continue to effectively protect environmental interests.
What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far?
Environmental advocacy and litigation are incredibly rewarding but very slow-moving. You must be prepared for the long-haul and celebrate the small wins along the way.
What advice would you offer another law student contemplating working in a similar position next summer?
Try to diversify your experience as much as possible and communicate this desire to your supervisor! You can contribute to many kinds of work-product including briefs, comments, research memos, etc. Internships only give a quick glimpse of this work, so try to do as much as you can!
How are you spending your free time this summer?
I go on hikes when I can!
What are you most looking forward to in returning to the Law School this fall?
Seeing my law school friends again!