Frequently Asked Questions

1.         What is ACOEL?

The American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) is a professional association of distinguished private sector lawyers who practice in the field of environmental law. Membership is by invitation and members are recognized by their peers as preeminent in their field. ACOEL members are dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of practice, administration of justice, and ethics of the profession, and to contributing to the development of environmental law at both the state and federal level. 

2.         What are the membership criteria?

Membership eligibility is limited to those who have practiced environmental law for at least 15 years and whose practice for the past 5 years has been at least 50% in environmental law. We define environmental practice as practice under the following statutes, or their state and international counterparts, as well as related tort actions and business transactions: (1) Clean Air Act, (2) Clean Water Act, (3) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, (4) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, (5) Toxic Substances Control Act, (6) National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, (7) Endangered Species Act, (8) Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, and (9) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

3.         How would membership in ACOEL benefit me?

Like any organization, you will get out of ACOEL what you put into it. Immediate benefits are:

  • expanding your professional network to include the best private sector environmental practitioners in the country,
  • enhancing your opportunities to learn and share information about current environmental law issues, challenges and cutting-edge approaches,
  • increasing your referral sources to serve your clients’ needs, and
  • building and participating in an organizaton dedicated to contributing to the development of state and federal environmental laws.

4.         What would my obligations as a member of ACOEL be?

Participation opportunities: 

  • Formal: election or appointment to the Executive Committee, Nominations Committee, Program Committee, or special purpose committees. 
  • Informal: contribute articles for the ACOEL website on current issues, present a program at an ACOEL meeting, generate ideas for the betterment of the practice and the organization.
  • Meetings: semi-annually, at various locations selected to be as accessible to the members as possible.
  • Dues: $500 annually, due on September 1st of each calendar year.