Building better communities, Florida law students find solutions to land use challenges
On St. Pete Beach, heavy rains and high tides regularly flood streets, disrupting daily life in this coastal Florida community. Now, students from the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Environmental and Community Development Clinic are diving into the challenge — researching ways to fund repairs, improve safety and plan for a future shaped by rising seas.
Their work in the clinic blends infrastructure, environmental strategy and public safety, turning legal research into real-world solutions — ones that are already benefiting communities statewide.
“The clinic gives students a chance to see how the law can support communities in protecting and improving the places that matter most,” said Thomas Hawkins, the clinic’s director. “The question is, ‘How do we support communities that help keep people healthy while also providing their mobility?’”
At no charge, six to nine UF students in the clinic represent a variety of clients, including nonprofits, cities and state agencies. Some clients are small organizations that would not otherwise have access to legal support. Others are municipalities seeking innovative solutions to challenges that stretch beyond the scope of their in-house legal teams.
UF law students not only conduct legal research and provide writing support but also meet with clients, present findings and participate in public forums. Hawkins said these opportunities help students apply their classroom training to real-world policy decisions and expand their career outlooks.
“I’m interested in local government law and public transportation expansion, and the clinic offers a great opportunity to work with clients who face real-world land use challenges,” said third-year UF law student and clinic participant John “Jack” Gustke. “Good lawyers must diligently study the law and their client’s unique circumstances to find outcomes that satisfy the client. I have seen that a good lawyer can't expect to have all the answers to the client's problems, but instead must continue to work hard and turn over every stone related to the issue the client is facing.”
Olivia Guntner, a third-year UF law student and clinic participant, shared a similar sentiment.
“Working hands-on with clients to find solutions to their problems has been the most rewarding experience in law school thus far,” Guntner said. “I have been working alongside two other clinic students to find a legally innovative solution to a municipality’s funding limits in a way that allows the city to improve its roads to combat flooding.”
Guntner and her classmates have been diving into Florida's statutes and case law to find support for their proposed framework and position — impactful work that will undoubtedly help prepare them for their legal careers.
Ultimately, Hawkins hopes to expand the clinic’s scope beyond Florida, giving students opportunities to work on projects with national or even international reach. While he values close-to-home clients that allow students to meet in person, he noted that broader cases prepare graduates for careers outside the Southeast. He added that alumni can support the clinic by connecting students with projects that fit its mission, offering both practical experience and public service.
For more information on the Environmental and Community Development Clinic, click here.