October 1, 2024

This summer I had the incredible opportunity to work for East Coast Environmental Law, an organization that is dedicated to environmental protection and education. As a legal research assistant, my work focused on updating the case brief section of their online Resource Library. This library is a publicly accessible resource that provides detailed summaries of legal cases related to environmental law in Atlantic Canada. This library is designed to offer clear and concise explanations of court decisions, making legal information more accessible to a broader audience, including legal professionals, students, and the public.

Atlantic Canada is characterized by its diverse landscapes and rich natural resources, but it also faces issues such environmental degradation, which threaten the region's ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. My role involved conducting thorough legal research and analysis to ensure that each brief was accurate, comprehensive, and informative. This experience not only improved my research and writing skills but allowed me to contribute to the organization’s mission of empowering people with the legal knowledge they need to be involved in environmental protection.

This experience highlighted the diverse scope of environmental law and its critical role in addressing a wide array of issues. I had the opportunity to review a variety of legal issues, including regulatory offences and their enforcement, judicial review, and the impact of Indigenous and Aboriginal law on environmental concerns. In examining regulatory offences, I gained insight into how laws and regulations are applied and enforced across different jurisdictions. My work also involved studying judicial review processes, which highlighted the role of administrative bodies in decision making and the standards courts use to review these decisions. Additionally, I explored Indigenous and Aboriginal law and learned how they intersect with environmental legislation. This experience also provided a comparative view of how environmental laws and policies have evolved over time and vary across provinces.

 Throughout the summer, I received invaluable experience and practical insights that significantly refined my legal writing and analytical skills. Regular, constructive feedback allowed me to distill complex cases into clear, accessible summaries, which is a crucial ability for both legal practice and public education. In practice, the ability to break down legal issues into understandable terms is essential for effective communication with clients, colleagues, and the courts. Clear and concise communication ensures that clients fully grasp the implications of their cases, empowering them to make informed decisions. Additionally, this skill is vital when preparing legal documents, as it enhances the persuasiveness of arguments to present information in a straightforward and compelling manner. Overall, I gained confidence in my ability to convey complex information in an way that is clear and accessible.

Reflecting on my summer at East Coast Environmental Law, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity I had to enhance my knowledge and skills. This experience not only solidified my passion for the field, but also equipped me with the practical experience I needed to advance my learning. I look forward to continuing my journey in environmental law and I hope to work with this organization again in the future.

Rylee McLean

JD Student, University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law

Rylee’s work with us was funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program, for which funding we are very grateful.