Ralph Nader Film

The Law and Social Justice Film Series
Hosted by Professor Orly Lobel, USD School of Law Free and Open to the USD Community and Public
*** PIZZA, SNACKS AND DRINKS WILL BE SERVED***

An Unreasonable Man - Ralph Nader: How Do you Define a Legacy?

Introductory Remarks:
Professor Bob Felmeth, Price Professor of Public Interest Law & an Original "Nader's Raider".

November 6, Tuesday; 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Warren Hall 3D, USD School of Law

In 1966, General Motors, the most powerful corporation in the world, sent private investigators to dig up dirt on an obscure thirty-two year old public interest lawyer named Ralph Nader, who had written a book critical of one of their cars, the Corvair. The scandal that ensued after the smear campaign was revealed launched Ralph Nader into national prominence and established him as one of the most admired Americans and the leader of the modern Consumer Movement. Over the next thirty years and without ever holding public office, Nader built a legislative record that is the rival of any contemporary president. Many things we take for granted including seat belts, airbags, product labeling, no nukes, even the free ticket you get after being bumped from an overbooked flight are largely due to the efforts of Ralph Nader and his citizen groups. Yet today, when most people hear the name "Ralph Nader," they think of the man who gave the country George W. Bush. After being so right for so many years, how did he seem to go so wrong?

Climate Change Lecture Series

The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) and the Environmental Law Society at the University of San Diego School of Law Present the 2007 Climate Change Lecture Series

San Diego, Calif., October 17, 2007 - The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), a nonprofit research center at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law, today announced the speakers for the 2007 Climate Change Lecture Series.

"Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st Century," says Scott Anders, director of EPIC. "As we transition from debating the science to seeking solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many legal and policy questions arise. The purpose of the lecture series is to begin to explore some of these issues and to further this important dialogue."

On Thursday, November 1, 2007, Ken Alex, supervising deputy attorney general for the State of California, will discuss the California attorney general's efforts to address global warming through legal action, including the opportunities and limitations posed by the legal approach. For more information about Ken Alex and the lecture series, go to the event Web page.

On Thursday, November 8, 2007, California Energy Commissioner John L. Geesman will discuss the energy policy challenges that California will face in implementing Assembly Bill 32, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. For more information about Commissioner John L. Geesman and the lecture series, go to the event Web page.

Both lectures begin at 4:30 p.m. and are presented in the School of Leadership & Education Sciences (SOLES) Auditorium on the University of San Diego campus. The campus is located at 5998 Alcalá Park, off Linda Vista Road.

The lectures are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. RSVP at (619) 260-6848 or usdlawevent@sandiego.edu
by Monday, October 29, 2007.

WEBCAST
A live Webcast of each lecture will be available online the day of the event. Go to www.law.sandiego.edu and click on "Live Webcast."

MCLE
The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that each of these activities are approved for one hour of general credit.

The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) at the
University of San Diego School of Law
EPIC is an academic and research center of the University of San Diego School of Law that studies how energy policy issues affect the San Diego County region and California. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study and public education, and provides legal and policy expertise and information about efficient and environmentally responsible solutions to our future energy needs.

Media Contacts:
Patrick Riedling, USD School of Law, (619) 260-4589
Ashley Wood, USD School of Law, (619) 260-4097

Essay Contest

The Public Justice Foundation is sponsoring an essay contest on Global Warming with a $5,000 first prize. More information is available on their website.

Al Gore Wins the Nobel Prize

Late last week, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Price to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore for "their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change." The Environmental Law Society extends its sincere congratulations to Mr. Gore and thanks him for his lifetime of service to environmental causes.

This award marks an exciting and dynamic time in the field of environmental law. More than ever, there are opportunities for the USD Environmental Law Society and you as students and future lawyers to take a leadership position on campus, in the San Diego community, and around the world. The USD Environmental Law Society will to continue to work with local and national environmental law attorneys, legal scholars, government agencies, and NGOs to keep the University of San Diego on the forefront of environmental law scholarship.

Please stay tuned to this blog to keep up to date with events on campus. Better yet, become more active in the club. Contact Thomas or Daniel with ways to get involved.

Daniel Lowe -- ELS Secretary & Webmaster

Sustainability Committment Proclamation Passed!

Thank you to Thomas Del Monte and Forrest Merithew for their hard work in passing this resolution.

Student Bar Association

University of San Diego School of Law

Resolution E

Sustainability Commitment Proclamation

Whereas, climate change from greenhouse gas emissions endangers our environment, health, and economies, and the struggle against the effects of climate change will shape the 21st century; and

Whereas, addressing the climate-change challenge by promoting practices which are sustainable and promote a healthy environment, by minimizing our carbon footprint as quickly as economically feasible, and by integrating legal training that promotes sustainability into our curriculum will better serve the students and meet our social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical, and civil society; therefore

Be it resolved, that the Student Bar Association of the University of San Diego School of Law proclaims that we, as an institution of higher education, must exercise leadership, both on campus and throughout our community; by modeling sustainability practices in our daily activities, by influencing future campus planning to reduce global warming emissions, and by providing an academic framework designed to equip our university and her graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to become leaders in the formation and interpretation of environmental law and policy.

Sponsored by the University of San Diego School of Law’s Environmental Law Society, Vice President of ELS Forrest Merithew, and SBA Councilor Thomas R. Del Monte.

Help the San Diego Coastkeeper at the Hotel Del!

The USD Environmental Law Society is very excited to have an opportunity to help out the San Diego Coastkeeper with their annual Ocean Gala. It's on Saturday, November 3rd, from 7pm to 12am at The Ballroom of the Hotel Del Coronado . They need volunteers to help set-up, help with the auction, etc. Volunteers need to dress in cocktail attire (not black tie) and need to attend a Mandatory training on October 30th from 6:30 - 7:30 (pizza will be provided.) All volunteers will receive a FREE dinner at the Del, and this will definitely have an opportunity to mingle with professionals in the field of Environmental Law.

There's 2 shifts available:

- 11am to 5pm or
- 4:30 pm to 12am

Just email Mary your Name, Email Address and the Shift you would like to work at mkoehrlein@gmail.com.

If you're more interested in attending the gala than in working it, students are receiving a $75 discount, so tickets are $100. Here is the online invitation and RSVP form.

If you have any questions or would just like some more info, email Mary at mkoehrlein@gmail.com or Deanna at SD Coastkeeper, Deanna@SDCoastkeeper.org .



Thank you!

Lantham & Watkins Webinar

Complimentary Live 90-minute Webinar Sponsored by Latham & Watkins

Climate Change: Latest Impacts on Land Use, Water Supplies, and Energy and Infrastructure Projects

Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 9:00 am Pacific

New federal and state laws—along with a spate of land use lawsuits—require that development projects now grapple with climate change. The issue arises not only with new federal and state climate change laws, but also with long-standing laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Water Code. In turn, these laws present questions about how all projects, large and small, can most efficiently satisfy new climate change mitigation requirements.

This program will address the following key issues for development projects:

• The emerging case law on NEPA's climate change requirements.
• California's new legislation, Senate Bill 97, which addresses climate change requirements and development project exemptions under CEQA.
• The recent, landmark settlement agreement between the California Attorney General and the County of San Bernardino on climate change and land use.
• Strategies for addressing climate change in water supply assessments and environmental review documents under NEPA and CEQA.
  

Speakers

Christopher W. Garrett , Global Co-Chair, Land Use Practice, Latham & Watkins

Janice M. Schneider , Partner, Latham & Watkins and former Counselor to the Deputy Secretary of the Interior

Christopher H. Norton , Of Counsel, Latham & Watkins

Adrianna B. Kripke , Associate, Latham & Watkins

Registration

To register for this complimentary program, please click here. The program will be accessible through your computer and, upon registration you will receive instructions on how to log-in to the Webinar. If you have any questions regarding this program, please email Miki Hanlen or call (202) 350-5261.