Finding my way to Crag: My first year as Crag’s legal fellow

By Kelly Chang | September 28, 2023

I’ve been exploring mountains since I was a kid, but my love for the outdoors has never dwindled.

Growing up, I did not think I would be a lawyer.

As a kid, I spent many summers in awe exploring the striking Sierra Nevada mountains close to home. Later, I found community, a sense of belonging and self-acceptance spending weeks secluded in the backcounty, dragging my tired feet over 30 miles on the same narrow ribbon of dirt each day, just me and my “tramily” (trail family) during long backpacking adventures on the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails. My transformative experiences in nature are really what guided my decision to become a public interest environmental lawyer.

Another turning point for me was when I got a job as a research analyst at the Sierra Club Environmental Law program, where I worked with lawyers who referred to themselves as “legal organizers.” I was inspired by how they combined litigation and grassroots organizing to make change. I believed that environmental law could offer a more direct way to address environmental issues and provide me with a platform to elevate and amplify community voices. 

When I went to law school at Lewis & Clark, I learned that our environmental laws were not adequately equipped to address the urgent and pressing issues of climate change and environmental justice. At the same time, I found law school to be an incredibly harsh, relentless, and exclusive place. I knew upon graduating that I wanted to work at a place that took a holistic approach to environmental protection, valued me as an individual, and prioritized equity and environmental justice. I gravitated towards places that offered meaningful mentorship and could expose me to different avenues of legal advocacy. I applied for and accepted Crag’s two-year fellowship, which felt like the right place for me to begin my legal career and start out as a new lawyer.

Me and Lani enjoying a sunset near the end of the Colorado Trail. Photo by Suzy Myers.

After nearly a year of working at Crag, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with various attorneys on a wide range of environmental issues. 

Within my first couple of months, I had the opportunity to help brief and argue a case that successfully protected Oregon farmland from unlawful development. Because the challenge was brought before the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), the entire case was argued and decided in 3.5 months – a quick turnaround in the legal world. For comparison, most federal cases can take years or even decades to resolve! Getting to work on a case from beginning to end, from drafting the petition for review, and crafting the reply, to engaging in oral argument is rare experience for a first-year attorney.

I also got to work with our client Pew Charitable Trust to write a paper exploring the current status of State-Tribal relations in Oregon, California, and Washington. Through my research, I learned that the history and dynamics between Tribes, federal, and state governments are intricate and not straightforward. The experience taught me that improving State-Tribal relations is a gradual process that requires strong leadership and periodic review. I realized that addressing the challenges in these relationships necessitates complex, intersectional, and collaborative approaches to achieve systemic, long-term solutions.

Additionally, I got experience building client relationships and doing policy research on the intersection of environmental justice and public lands protection. Meeting with Crag’s environmental justice clients and seeing how those relationships are built and maintained has shown me first-hand what it means to be a client driven law center. I also witnessed how Crag’s attorneys approach environmental justice issues with empathy, patience, and creative problem solving, especially when the law does not provide clear pathways to a remedy for many impacted communities. Working at Crag has underscored for me the importance of prioritizing community and client needs in both policy and legal advocacy.

Nearly one year into my fellowship, I appreciate that I’ve gotten to learn and grow in an environment that is encouraging, kind, and supportive. Looking ahead, I feel incredibly grateful for the mentorship, diverse work experience, and opportunity to continue to develop as an attorney at Crag.