Don't know if this is a right place to ask this question and really apprehensive about posting it because my background is hard to explain. But looking for guidance from experienced lawyers on this.
I am 32 and I have a Bsc & MSc in biology from a decent central university in india and when I was 25 went to Australia to study another Masters also in a stem field after which I worked there till I was 31 in data related roles - such as data analyst/data scientist etc. Another relevant bit about my background is that I am really good at canvassing research papers, excellent programmer, used to build computational models and simulations at one point. My background generally helped me alot in understanding the science, models behing climate change.
As of late I have become super interested in climate change and considering pursuing environmental law or policy (leaning a bit more to the law side). I have a valid visa for Australia for another 3 years, but would like to understand my options about pursuing law in Australia vs India & between pursing LLB/JD or an LLM instead. Where will these options take me? I have been reading books on international environmental law, climate change law, climate change litigation in the south/south east asian countries etc. I would like to broadlly focus on either legal research or practising environmental law or a combination of both mostly with a south asian focus.
Since I don't know how law career options progress and the investment it would take, would like a clear picture as I am more familiar with stem career paths. Clearly I am in this because I am passionate, please be kind in your responses. Thanks.
Two masters, job, in Australia... & You want to leave all of that and pursue law. Why man ? Are you serious?
To be honest, a law degree will not help you as much as working in policy will. I've worked with international NGOs related to wildlife, & to be honest, lawyers are preferred only during legal battles, which is more court appearances, since you need a licence for that. On the other hand, majority of work are done by "policy analyst", these range from scientists, environmentalists, even met someone who was an archaeologist.
So, If you geniunely want to "help" the environment, use your knowledge of biology and skills of data analytics. Moreover, tech is the new game changer, environmental organisations need more tech experts especially with a science background. So, best bet continue on your current work.
Also, Australia has it's own environmental problems, wildfires, coastal reefs, mining etc. Work there, don't come back to India. Even IFoS officers can't do anything without political backing.
To answer your first part, sometimes after you "make it", you still want to try and do things as really you dont want to regret at 60 - thinking - why i didnt try that. At least thats my motivation + I got to do it for my daughter, owe it to their generation.. earning money isn't enough.
Lawyers can work as "policy analysts" as well right? Whats the difference.. doing policy work with a law background vs without?
Reg your second part - Environmental organisations need tech experts? Which ones.. ? could use some references.
Yes australia has a rich history of environmental litigations, but everywhere the problems are the same. Politicians are the same everywhere.
Law Firm partner take. Leave it at these people to have the shittiest opinion on anything and everything in the world, even things they have the slightest idea of. Your doctor is not going to utilise his memorized foreign language words when he saves your dying mother.
I don't believe pursuing a law degree is the best option for you. Having worked with numerous environmental NGOs in India and Singapore, I've observed that lawyers retained by such NGOs typically perform routine legal tasks like FCRA compliance, tax matters, etc and only a handful are employed full-time who are also engaging in mostly routine compliance.
To specialise in environmental law in India you will have to basically do a PhD, which will be way too time consuming and frankly pointless as such a PhD will focus on the more academic and teaching side of the subject. I have a LLB from a T1 NLU and I know one faculty who spend 4 years doing a PhD in a related field!
I would recommend considering a degree or pursuing opportunities related to policy work. Policy-related roles are more closely aligned with the core environmental work of NGOs and could be a better fit for you, especially in India.
Hi, Thanks for commenting. Just curious do environmental lawyers practice only for environmental ngos? Cant they be independent in opening up their own practice? What about conflicts between planning/infrastructure/environment - do such cases exist or are they all compliance related? What about matters of pollution?
I am open to considering the academic route. From my point of view, 3 year JD/LLB vs a 3 year phd not much difference in terms of my time investment. But knowing if I could directly apply for phd would be useful ie without a law background. Also would this limit me to academics (as in not being able to advise or practice)?
I am 32 and I have a Bsc & MSc in biology from a decent central university in india and when I was 25 went to Australia to study another Masters also in a stem field after which I worked there till I was 31 in data related roles - such as data analyst/data scientist etc. Another relevant bit about my background is that I am really good at canvassing research papers, excellent programmer, used to build computational models and simulations at one point. My background generally helped me alot in understanding the science, models behing climate change.
As of late I have become super interested in climate change and considering pursuing environmental law or policy (leaning a bit more to the law side). I have a valid visa for Australia for another 3 years, but would like to understand my options about pursuing law in Australia vs India & between pursing LLB/JD or an LLM instead. Where will these options take me? I have been reading books on international environmental law, climate change law, climate change litigation in the south/south east asian countries etc. I would like to broadlly focus on either legal research or practising environmental law or a combination of both mostly with a south asian focus.
Since I don't know how law career options progress and the investment it would take, would like a clear picture as I am more familiar with stem career paths. Clearly I am in this because I am passionate, please be kind in your responses. Thanks.
To be honest, a law degree will not help you as much as working in policy will. I've worked with international NGOs related to wildlife, & to be honest, lawyers are preferred only during legal battles, which is more court appearances, since you need a licence for that. On the other hand, majority of work are done by "policy analyst", these range from scientists, environmentalists, even met someone who was an archaeologist.
So, If you geniunely want to "help" the environment, use your knowledge of biology and skills of data analytics. Moreover, tech is the new game changer, environmental organisations need more tech experts especially with a science background. So, best bet continue on your current work.
Also, Australia has it's own environmental problems, wildfires, coastal reefs, mining etc. Work there, don't come back to India. Even IFoS officers can't do anything without political backing.
Lawyers can work as "policy analysts" as well right? Whats the difference.. doing policy work with a law background vs without?
Reg your second part - Environmental organisations need tech experts? Which ones.. ? could use some references.
Yes australia has a rich history of environmental litigations, but everywhere the problems are the same. Politicians are the same everywhere.
It's just memorization of foreign language words.
To specialise in environmental law in India you will have to basically do a PhD, which will be way too time consuming and frankly pointless as such a PhD will focus on the more academic and teaching side of the subject. I have a LLB from a T1 NLU and I know one faculty who spend 4 years doing a PhD in a related field!
I would recommend considering a degree or pursuing opportunities related to policy work. Policy-related roles are more closely aligned with the core environmental work of NGOs and could be a better fit for you, especially in India.
I am open to considering the academic route. From my point of view, 3 year JD/LLB vs a 3 year phd not much difference in terms of my time investment. But knowing if I could directly apply for phd would be useful ie without a law background. Also would this limit me to academics (as in not being able to advise or practice)?