Hope McLellan-Brandt JD/MELP'24 has built an extensive resume since she came to Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS). She has participated in COP27 and COP28 as a party member to the Republic of Palau delegation, attended the 2023 Bonn Climate Change Conference, and attained an externship with the Republic of Palau's Office of Climate Change.

When looking at these opportunities, you might think that her journey to law school was paved by a privileged education and income. This is far from the truth. Hope discovered her path because of her experience with environmental inequity and pollution from big businesses. Her concern for the environment is a concern for underserved people and climate change.

Hope grew up in an underserved community in a small town near Saginaw, Michigan. Hope explained that because of her background, there are low expectations from others. "People made judgments and told me what type of person I was going to become. They told me that my opportunities are far away from people in law school or people who are in a privileged profession. So, I didn't think that I would ever be able to do something like this with my life," she explained. Hope proved them wrong. Through persistence and a strong work ethic, she has paved her way and found her niche in climate law, climate finance, and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which addresses emission reduction compliance and carbon credits.

Hope received her undergraduate degree in political science and theater from Saginaw Valley State University. She didn't know what she wanted to do with her life at the time, but she saw firsthand how the underserved are impacted by industrial pollution. She gained a better understanding of this when she interned with Dow Chemical's Science and Sustainability Center, measuring the pollutants of the Tittabawassee River that runs through her hometown.

Hope’s concerns about water safety and the effects of pollution in her community led to her interest in environmental justice. After speaking with the Director of the Great Lakes Office of the Conservation Fund, who suggested that she become an environmental lawyer, she spoke to other environmental professionals and teachers. "Everyone said VLGS was the best place to go. So, I buckled up, took the LSAT, and got accepted. I wasn't a part of any clubs. I wasn't top of my class, but I had the heart and the drive to do it. You just have to care enough to push yourself to do it," Hope said. "It's not easy, but if it's something you want to do with your life, then you can do it."

Originally, when Hope came to VLGS, she wanted to study water law. She said, "The first time I saw a clean river was when I moved to South Royalton, which was a really incredible experience."

However, she was also interested in the International Climate Change Law course, which allows selected VLGS students who are studying climate change and international environmental law to attend COP, the United Nations’ annual climate change global diplomacy event. She contacted Professor Derek Walker, adjunct professor in International Climate Change Law at VLGS and the vice president for the U.S. Region at Environmental Defense Fund, who encouraged her to apply for the course.

Professor Walker arranged for his students to lend support by taking notes and tracking information from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the Republic of Palau delegation at COP27. Hope attended the conference in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and was assigned to follow climate science finance alongside Joe Aitaro, climate change finance coordinator for the Office of Climate Change, Bureau of Budget & Planning, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Palau. "I didn't know too much about climate finance before I got there. But I threw myself into the work, and by the end, I knew more than I thought I ever would," Hope said.

That summer, when looking for an externship, Hope wanted to work with Palau but was worried that it was beyond her reach. The experience at COP27 had allowed Hope to make connections within the Palau delegation. She reached out to a member of the Palau delegation and was accepted to work remotely for their Office of Climate Change under Xavier Matsutaro, climate change coordinator and focal point to the UNFCCC for Palau's Office of Environmental Response and Coordination.

Hope was also selected to be one of the two teaching assistants for the fall 2023 International Climate Change Law course heading to COP28. Because of this and her externship, VLGS provided the funding for her to attend the UNFCCC meeting in Bonn, Germany, which continued the discussions on critical issues and mandates from COP27. With this experience and the knowledge she gained during her work with Palau, Hope was able to become very familiar with the development of carbon markets.

As a TA for International Climate Change Law, Hope traveled with the class to Dubai for COP28 and again worked with the Republic of Palau. This time, she was given the task of focusing on Article 6 with even more responsibility and providing technical assistance taking notes during meetings and reporting back.

Hope has gained experience and a particular knowledge base that is needed for international law. She received a legal externship with the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington, DC, for her last semester.

Hope is often asked to visit her undergraduate alma mater and speak to the students. "They always want to know, 'How did you do it?'" she said. Many students think that law school is beyond their reach, but Hope has a message for them. "Don't sell yourself short because of your income. With hard work, you can make it happen. If you never try it, if you never go for it, then you'll never know."

For Hope, it started when she first arrived at VLGS and spoke with Prof. Derek Walker about the International Climate Change Law course. Hope is thankful that VLGS provided the opportunities. The support for these programs, such as the Tuholske Institute for Environmental Field Studies, which funds the trips to COP each year, allowed her to see her path and work toward her goals. She explained that "pushing against the preconceived expectations in my life contributed to why I've worked hard to be here and get my degree."

Contact Hope on LinkedIn if you would like to learn more about her experience at VLGS.