How can legal education shape the future of environmental sustainability?

Kate Rosier

Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Indian Legal Program

Kate Rosier (Comanche) brings extensive experience as a former tribal prosecutor and assistant general counsel who has guided more than 1,000 Native American students through legal education while leading national initiatives to increase Native representation in law schools.

Environmental sustainability is one of the defining legal challenges of our time. Climate change, water scarcity, energy development and land use decisions are all governed by legal frameworks that influence how communities and industries operate.

At ASU Law, sustainability is embedded directly into how we teach and study law. The focus is on preparing students and professionals to understand the legal systems that guide environmental decision-making and to engage with those systems in meaningful ways.

How does law impact environmental sustainability and climate policy?

Law provides the structure for how sustainability efforts are implemented. It defines regulatory standards, establishes enforcement mechanisms and shapes how public and private actors respond to environmental challenges.

In ASU Law’s Law and Sustainability program, students explore topics such as climate policy, environmental compliance, water law and energy regulation. These areas reflect the legal realities professionals encounter when working on sustainability initiatives across industries.

This foundation allows students to understand how legal tools influence outcomes and how policy decisions translate into real-world impact.

What are the pathways to study sustainability law at ASU Law?

ASU Law offers multiple ways to engage with sustainability law, depending on your professional goals and level of legal training.

• MLS students can pursue a Law and Sustainability emphasis, developing knowledge in environmental regulation, climate frameworks and sustainable business practices without pursuing a JD
• JD students can earn a certificate in Law and Sustainability, building focused expertise that supports careers in environmental and natural resources law
• LLM students can pursue a customized one-year degree with an emphasis in Law and Sustainability, allowing practicing attorneys or internationally trained lawyers to deepen their expertise in this field

These pathways reflect how sustainability law intersects with a wide range of careers, from policy and compliance to legal practice and global environmental work.

Where can you learn from leading sustainability law scholars?

The SRP Sustainability Conference of American Legal Educators, hosted at ASU Law on May 14–15, brings together law professors presenting current research across key areas of sustainability law.

Conference topics include:

• Climate change law
• Energy and natural resources law
• Water law and land use
• Agricultural and food law
• Disaster law

The conference begins with a pre-conference dinner and continues with a full day of presentations. Attendees may be eligible for up to seven hours of CLE credit.

This event offers direct access to the ideas and research shaping environmental law today.

Why attend a sustainability law conference at ASU Law?

Attending this conference provides exposure to current legal scholarship and emerging areas of focus within sustainability law.

Participants can:

• Engage with leading scholars presenting new research
• Explore legal developments across multiple sustainability-related fields
• Connect with professionals and academics working in environmental law
• Earn CLE credit while participating in focused discussions

For those working in environmental law, policy or sustainability-focused roles, the conference offers a structured opportunity to deepen knowledge and expand professional networks.

The best part? There is still time to register for the conference. Explore this year’s topics in detail and register your attendance today.