Emily Serleth '25

I've known I wanted to pursue a law degree since I was in high school.

I chose USD Law for the wide range of clinics and hands on experience offered, specifically, the ability to work with the Energy Policy Initiatives Center.

I have always been passionate about caring for the environment and protecting public spaces, but before law school I worked as a paralegal in immigration law and we assisted many people creating energy start ups with immigration matters. Learning their businesses, I became interested in knowing more about energy law.

I work as an Associate Attorney at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney doing commercial litigation across energy, healthcare, data privacy, and more.

My time at USD Law prepared me for my current job by giving me a strong foundation in energy regulation and the practical skills to handle complex, technical issues. Through EPIC and classes like Administrative and Energy Law, I learned how to break down dense regulatory questions, analyze agency decisions, and explain complicated concepts clearly. My clinic and internship experiences helped me apply those skills in real situations—building factual records, writing persuasively, and working directly with people affected by these issues. That mix of hands-on experience and energy-focused training is something I rely on every day in litigation.

Meet as many people as possible. There are so many different niches of energy and environmental law, you never know which one might spark your interest.

USD Environmental Law Society, the San Diego Journal of Climate and Energy Law.

Being able to serve as a Research Assistant for Professor Mary Jo Wiggins and learn from her as I wrote my comment for the San Diego Journal of Climate and Energy Law. Her advise was incredibly valuable and useful and was helpful in my comment getting published by the journal.