Q&A: Jessamine De Ocampo ’21, Associate Attorney, EarthJustice’s Coal Program
Jessamine De Ocampo ’21 recently accepted a position as an associate attorney with EarthJustice’s Coal Program in New York City. As she prepares for the bar exam, she reflected on her time in Minnesota Law’s environmental & energy law program, what led her to EarthJustice, and her aspirations in the E&E field.
Why did you chose to come to Minnesota Law?
I chose Minnesota Law based on the environmental and energy law opportunities available to incoming students. I was interested in all the classes Minnesota offered and the amount of experiential learning available to students at the start of their 2L years.
What makes you passionate about this particular area of law?
I am originally from the Philippines, an area that, like many others, is incredibly susceptible to the effects of climate change. This area of law allows me to advocate for sustainable regulations, mitigations, and adaptations that do not impose an undue social and economic cost to overburdened and vulnerable communities.
What was your experience participating in environmental & energy law concentration at Minnesota Law?
Participating in the E&E Concentration at Minnesota Law was foundational to me being in the position I am today. I engaged with experienced and talented professors, met some of my closest friends, and was introduced to all the legal opportunities in this field.
What were a few of your favorite environmental & energy law experiences at the Law school?
The Environmental and Energy Law Society is an organization that works to advance interest in environmental and energy law at Minnesota Law as well as inform students interested in the field of several opportunities available. Additionally, Professor Alex Klass’ Energy Law class and mentorship cemented a deep interest in energy law that paved the way for me to spend a summer at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and my position as an associate Attorney with EarthJustice’s Coal Program.
Can you discuss your experiences as a summer clerk at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as a student legal trainee at FERC?
During my time at the EPA, I worked in the Water & General Law Branch in New York City (Region 2). Most of the work I did revolved around the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site as well as learning the ins-and-outs of administrative adjudicatory proceedings. I drafted a motion for default judgment, a termination of a consent decree, and wrote a research memo on Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the Virgin Islands.
During my time at FERC, I researched the scope and boundaries of defining a destination market in a geographic market for market-based rates, cross-referenced potential discovery requests with testimonies to ensure accurate submissions for a paper hearing, attended settlement conferences, and drafted a memorandum on the legal differentiation between a BPM and tariff, which was incorporated into the filed brief. I gained training on reactive power and had the opportunity to meet with various administrative law judges, ALJ law clerks, and the commissioners themselves.
Both experiences were fundamental in learning how to engage appropriately with clients, federal court systems, and administrative agency law.
How did you become connected with EarthJustice’s Coal Program?
During the Spring Semester of my 3L year, I was able to work with EarthJustice as an extern in their Coal Program. Working with the Coal Program gave me valuable insight into the Public Service Commission in New York, New York State’s new energy highway and renewable incentives, Coal Ash work, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the energy and environmental justice space.
As an associate attorney for the New York office, I’ll be picking up on some of the energy-related projects I worked on, particularly working to promote New York State’s clean energy initiatives.
What advice would you offer to other students looking to get into environmental and energy law?
There are so many students, advisors, and professors at Minnesota Law that will help you find and develop your interests and passions. Be bold in finding what works best for you.
Minnesota Law seeks to instill in students the value of lawyer-leadership. What does that mean to you as a new attorney entering the environmental and energy field?
Being a lawyer-leader means ensuring that environmental and energy justice issues are at the forefront of my work and advocacy. It means engaging in difficult conversations and using the power of the law to harvest change, right civil wrongs and advance equity.
Any interesting summer plans? (Other than taking and passing the bar exam, of course!)
Hopefully, a good two-week long vacation!
Anything else that you would like to share?
I’m grateful for all the mentorship, the friendships, and the relationships I have built over my three years at Minnesota Law. “Looking Back” at law school is quite a surreal experience, but one I’m glad I ventured on.
