VLGS student Emily Dwight JD/MERL’26 was recently interviewed on the Bloomberg Law “On the Merits” podcast about her direction as an aspiring lawyer interested in energy and the environment.
Emily chose to attend VLGS because of the number of energy law classes available, including the Global Sustainability Field Study in Cuba, research opportunities with the Institute for Energy and the Environment, and the Institute’s Energy Clinic, which works to advance environmental justice through clean energy projects. In her interview, she spoke with Bloomberg Law reporter Jennifer Hijazi about the impressive range of environmental offerings at VLGS, including courses on the fundamentals of “environmental, social, and governance” (ESG) business practices and the tax dimensions of climate policy—a very hot topic after the 2022 passage of the tax-focused Inflation Reduction Act.
Currently a 2L, Emily will work as a summer associate in 2025 at a large law firm. “I’m looking forward to gaining experience working with clients to learn first-hand how energy issues play out on a large scale,” she said. “To see how they actually impact clients and how you can effect change when you’re advocating on behalf of a client.”
Her advice for future energy law students? Consider joining a large firm or business. “It can be a good pathway to advocate for positive change,” she said.
To hear the full interview, listen here.
