Applications Now Being Received for 2011-2012 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarships

The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship Programs are now receiving applications for the 2011-2012 and fall 2012 periods. The scholarship programs encourage the study of natural resources law by well qualified students who have the potential to make significant contributions to scholarship in natural resources.

The program consists of the Joe Rudd Scholarships, established in 1980 in honor of a prominent Alaskan natural resources attorney, and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarships, established in 1993. To date more than $1.2 million has been awarded to 287 scholars.

Law students seeking JD or LLM degrees at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law who are undertaking the study of natural resources law or who can demonstrate a commitment to study natural resources law are eligible to apply for a scholarship.
Scholarships may cover partial or full tuition costs only. Recent awards have ranged from $1,000 to $6,000. Application forms can be downloaded by clicking here.

Don C. Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "Scholarships from the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF) are among the most prestigious scholarships that a natural resources student can earn. In the fall 2010 scholarship application process, four DU law students won RMMLF scholarships. Prior DU winners of these scholarships have gone on to have enormously successful careers, and the opportunity of these students to say they were RMMLF winners has no doubt played a role in those career successes."

Applications will be evaluated by the RMMLF Scholarships Committee according to an established set of criteria, the main elements of which include:

• Potential to make a significant contribution to the field of natural resources law
• Academic ability
• Leadership ability
• Year in law school
• Financial need

More information about the scholarships programs is available from Carla Sherwood at the RMMLF by clicking here.

JD Student Jeffrey John Reports on Formation of New Student Group: FARM Law & Policy Group Founded at the University of Denver

During the fall semester last calendar year, a small group of University of Denver Sturm College of Law students quietly started a new student group focused on Food, Agriculture, and Resource Management. DU’s FARM Law & Policy Group has a mission to promote the awareness of and increase the dialogue around complex issues surrounding food policy, agriculture laws, and resource use, while building a supportive network of professionals and students in Denver and around the country.

Currently, there are only a handful of food policy groups organized in law schools across the country. The Harvard Food Law Society, Drake University’s Agricultural Law Center in Des Moines, Iowa, The National Agriculture Law Center at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and the University of Oregon’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program are probably the most notable.

Now, DU's FARM Law & Policy Group hopes to create another hub for important discussions on Food, Agriculture, and Resource Management. Some of the topics that members can look forward to discussing are: The Food Safety Modernization Act, Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms, green roofs, efficient water use, water quality for food production, energy use and ethanol production, off-shore fish farming, genetically modified organisms and intellectual property… just to name a few.

The FARM Law & Policy Group will hold its first general meeting on Monday, January 31st at the Sturm College of Law in room 125 at noon. Lunch will be served. FARM has also started a DU portfolio page open to the entire University and open to the public. This page can be found by clicking here. If you are interested in becoming a member, please try to attend the first general interest meeting on January 31st or subscribe to the group on the portfolio page.

We look forward to engaging discussions about FARM policy strategies and legal issues locally, regionally, and nationally.

Jeffrey John
JD Student

Jeff Cullers, Sturm College of Law LLM Graduate, Publishes Land Conservation-related Article in Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal

An article written by Jeff Cullers, a 2010 LLM graduate of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, was recently published in the prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal.

In "Conflicting Easements: Finding a Legal Space Where Land Conservation and Mineral Development Can Live in Harmony," Mr. Cullers suggests that "the accommodation doctrine of mineral law offers the best solution to the conflict because it strikes the right balance between surface conservatism and mineral development."

The article can be found in Vol. 47, No. 2, 2010, at pages 423-438.

The Journal is the official publication of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, one of the world's leading educational organizations dedicated to the study of the legal system and issues affecting natural resources law.

Moscow State University Law Prof. Gayane Davidyan Speaks to Comparative Environmental Law Course; Russia's Treatment of Natural Resources Explained

Moscow State University Law Professor Gayane Davidyan spoke recently about Russian environmental and natural resources law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Professor Davidyan explained to the Comparative Environmental Law course the nature of Russia's environmental and natural resources laws, noting in particular that during the years that Russia was a part of the Soviet Union all resources were owned by the state. Now, however, many resources are in private hands.

Moreover, Professor Davidyan pointed out that the Russian Constitution -- adopted in 1993 -- has provisions that apply specifically to the environment and natural resources more generally.

Russia has significant amounts of natural resources. For example nearly 20 percent of the world's oil and gas is produced in Russia.

One topic Professor Davidyan mentioned was the opportunity for foreign investment in Russia. She pointed to the landmark agreement announced last week between BP and Roseneft, the state oil group of Russia. As reported by the Financial Times, the tie up means that "the Kremlin [will] indirectly become the largest single shareholder in the U.K. company."

Don C. Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "It was a great pleasure for the University of Denver Sturm College of Law to host Professor Davidyan. Her observations about Russian environmental and natural resources issues were informative and insightful. All of us in Denver benefited from Professor Davidyan's visit and her engaging and captivating style. She raised our understanding about Russia's growing role in providing natural resources for the world."

Professor Davidyan was at DU as a Visiting Scholar for the The Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law.

Editor's note: In the top picture Professor Davidyan is in the center of the picture; she is wearing a white blouse and dark sweater. The second picture is of Moscow State University.

Two DU LLM Graduates Who Practice Law in Argentina to Speak January 27 About Latin American Natural Resources Developments

Two Latin American natural resources experts, Diego Parravicini and Leonardo Rodriguez, who are graduates of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law will speak about recent developments in the Latin American natural resources sector on Thursday, January 27, at the College of Law.

The presentation, which will take the form of a video conference from Buenos Aries, where the two men work, to Denver, will take place in room 270 from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Mr. Parravicini will address natural resources developments in Argentina while Mr. Rodriguez will talk about Chinese interest in investing in Latin America. There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers.

Mr. Parravicini earned an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law in 2009. While at DU, he was awarded a Scholastic Excellence Award for International Environmental Law. Following his study at DU, he worked as a foreign attorney at the office of Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP in Denver. Currently he works at Estudio Beccar Varela in Argentina. His practice areas include natural resources and environmental law.

Mr. Rodriguez earned an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law in 2008. While at DU, he earned the 2007-2008 Outstanding Student Award in the LLM program. Following graduation from DU, Mr. Rodriguez worked as a foreign associate in the mining law department of Holland & Hart in Denver. Mr. Rodriguez, whose current work focuses on mining law, has been a member of Marval, O'Farrell & Mairal since 2000.

Don C. Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at DU, said, "The world's need for natural resources is steadily rising. One of the areas of the world where significant opportunities exist is Latin America. We are delighted that Leo and Diego, two of our most accomplished LLM graduates, will share their insights with us. I strongly encourage any students interested in natural resources, environmental, foreign, and business law to join us for what will be an informative and enjoyable session."

Students interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP before January 26 to Mike Dietrich by clicking here.