Attorneys
Lasting conservation takes excellent legal work. Land trusts rely on attorneys for many essential tasks — to make sure they qualify as tax-exempt public charities, to draft conservation easements that will stand the test of time, to advise on staffing and management issues, to guide their response to potential violations, to fight for protected lands in court and more.
The laws that govern land conservation are complex and specialized. In addition, the legal framework for conservation is constantly changing, as legislatures revise statutes and courts decide precedent-setting cases. The Alliance provides resources for attorneys in this challenging and rewarding field, so they can develop their expertise and successfully advance conservation.
Advanced Training in Conservation Law
Master a complex field of law, keep your skills sharp, and grow your professional network. Opportunities for advanced training in conservation law include our biennial legal symposium, our annual Rally and convenient webinars. You can earn Continuing Legal Education credits at both the Symposium and Rally.
Conservation Defense Clearinghouse
Use our extensive Clearinghouse to track the latest case law, research complicated issues, look up statutes, access practical pointers and find sample documents or templates. This continuously updated research library contains thousands of documents vetted by legal experts. Advanced search tools help you zero in on what you need.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with new colleagues and clients! One essential step is to post an up-to-date profile in our Attorney Locator — a searchable directory of conservation attorneys available to Alliance member land trusts and individual members. You can also participate in lively conversations through Clearinghouse forums and webinar discussions. Or you can strengthen relationships in person at events like our biannual symposium on conservation law and Rally.
Conservation Defense Network
The Network connects experts in conservation law, who promote excellence in the field. The Network is open by invitation to experienced conservation attorneys and senior practitioners. These leaders track cutting-edge developments, tackle ethical questions, shape legal strategy and promote best practices among land trusts in their state.
Interested in joining the Network? Email Leslie Ratley-Beach, conservation defense director at the Land Trust Alliance, at lrbeach@lta.org.