Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic

An Overview

Welcome to the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University in St. Louis. The Clinic provides pro bono legal and technical services to environmental and community organizations in the greater St. Louis area, while simultaneously offering a unique education experience for students from across the University. The interdisciplinary structure of the clinic - involving students from several schools of the university in advocacy representation of clients - is unique among environmental law clinics. Student Attorneys (second and third year law students) and Student Consultants (graduate students and upper-level undergraduates in engineering, environmental studies, medicine, social work and business), work in interdisciplinary teams under faculty supervision. They offer legal and technical assistance on environmental and community health problems to individuals and organizations that cannot afford to pay for such services. Clinic teams work on issues relating to air and water quality, lead poisoning, environmental justice, habitat destruction and wetlands.

Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, north of St. Louis.  Photo: Missouri Department of Natural Resources

A Community Advisory Board, comprised of diverse members of the community with personal and professional commitments to the environment and community health, advises the clinic and provides regular feedback regarding the fulfillment of the clinic's community service objectives.

Read about the Clinic's victory for communities battling lead poisoning.

Persons or organizations interested in the clinic's services, as well as students with questions about the clinic, may contact Maxine Lipeles, Clinic Director, by e-mail at milipele@wulaw.wustl.edu or by telephone at (314) 935-5837 or contact Beth Martin, Engineering and Science Director by e-mail at martin@wulaw.wustl.edu or telephone: (314) 935-4136.

Foundation Support

On behalf of the clients and communities that benefit from the IEC’s work, the students that experience public service while learning about complex environmental issues in an interdisciplinary setting, and the faculty and staff who are privileged to work in the IEC, we thank Washington University and our foundation partners for their generous support. 

Current supporters: The Evan Frankel Foundation; The Henry Luce Foundation; The McKnight Foundation; The Rockefeller Family Fund 

Past supporters: The Deaconess Foundation; The Educational Foundation of America; The Nathan Cummings Foundation; The Middle Fund