Natalie Lara ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½25 is a first generation Mexican American whose parents both came to the United States as young adults. Natalie was the first in her entire extended family to attend undergraduate school and now is the first to attend law school.
Originally, Natalie wanted to become a climate researcher, but after taking her first environmental policy course she learned more about environmental law and was intrigued. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Environmental law really stood out to me, because my professor had explained it as a way to bridge science, policy, and people,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ said Natalie. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½I knew I liked working with people, but I also wanted to advocate for better environmental conditions. Furthermore, growing up in South Florida, hurricanes were a common occurrence. I saw how climate change was affecting my community and other communities like mine, and I realized that I wanted to use the law to advocate for a sustainable future for all.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
So far, Natalie has had a very well rounded and positive experience at Haub Law. She finds the professors engaging and enthusiastic and all are willing to go beyond the classroom and act as mentors to help their students navigate their legal careers. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Professor Narula in particular always inspires me,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ said Natalie. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½In addition to her impressive legal career and despite any injustices that she's confronted throughout her life, she is still kind to everyone, and she reminds us to do the same. She reminds her students that it's important to process emotions as we feel them, whether we have great wins or great losses. This has been invaluable to remember.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
During her time at Haub Law, Natalie has participated in the Land Use Law Center legal externship and helped to develop the Climate Resilient Development workshop series. She is also president of the Environmental Law Society here at Haub Law, secretary of the Latin American Law Students Association, and Hospitality Vice-Chair for the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition.
Natalie is pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law and when she graduates in 2025, she hopes to find herself working in environmental law. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½I would love to end up at a firm full of people who are inspired by the law and continue to challenge themselves.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
School-life balance is important to Natalie and even as a 1L last year she was able to read 100 books for leisure! ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½It is important to dedicate time to focus on yourself outside of your studies,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ said Natalie.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ welcomed Professor Michael C. Dorf, Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell Law School as the speaker for the 2025 Dyson Distinguished Lecture. His lecture was entitled: ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Play in the Joints of the Religion Clauses and Law More Broadly.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Professor Bennett Gershman speaks with CBS News about the legal battle over NYCΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½s congestion pricing program, noting that a judge has already upheld the plan and that President Trump does not have the authority to overturn it.
Bennett Gershman, professor of law at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½, told Newsweek: "Trump's Executive Order seeking to outlaw so called Birthright Citizenship is itself unlawful and will be easily struck down. "Mr. Trump may not like the constitutional rule. But however much he would like to, he does not have the power to flout the Constitution. He would need to get and the states to amend the constitution to implement his objective."