Section Stories
What's it like to be a member of a WSBA section? What are the benefits? What do they do? Section members want to tell you in their words why they joined and how it benefited them and their practice.
More videos to come.
Environmental & Land Use Law Section
The Environmental and Land Use Law (ELUL) Section represents a diverse membership with individuals who are often on different sides of an issue, but who are all committed to civil and professional cooperation for the protection and enhancement of shared communities. The ELUL Section provides benefits to members by initiating, implementing, and supporting opportunities for the interchange of ideas surrounding environmental and land use law. To further discussion among members, the ELUL Section hosts an annual midyear CLE conference each spring and mini-CLEs throughout the year. It also supports law student development by providing scholarships and hosting networking events that create opportunities for law students to meet legal professionals.
The ELUL Section helps members keep up with this rapidly developing area of law. Accordingly, it regularly publishes information and provides access to scholarly analyses of fundamental and emerging environmental and land use law issues. The ELUL Section website contains current, scholarly information on emerging trends in environmental and land use law, including analyses of cases, draft rules, and new statutes that affect this area of practice. During the legislative session, the ELUL Section shares information about bills that are relevant to environmental and land use law as a resource to further collaboration and discussion.
Annual Report | Budget | Bylaws | Year in Review | Elections | Section Member Resources | Legislation | Land Use and Environmental Mediation Committee
Join Now
Page Navigation
The Environmental and Land Use Law Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, their upcoming events and offerings, as well as information about the section's executive committee.
Upcoming Programs
NEW Midyear! Environmental and Land Use Law Section Midyear
Presented in partnership with the WSBA Environment and Land Use Law Section
Join us in-person or remotely for the Environmental and Land Use Law Midyear from May 14–15, 2026. We will be in Vancouver at the stunning Heathman Lodge this year as well as broadcasting live online. Hear from practitioners from around the state and region speaking on crucial topics and updates.
In addition to helpful programming, attendees will be provided ample time to be with colleagues and explore the Columbia River valley.
Lodging Information
There is a limited block of discounted rooms at the Heathman Lodge held for attendees until April 13, 2026, based entirely on space availability. Once they are filled, room prices may increase. Room reservations made under the WSBA room block are intended for attendees of the Midyear Conference only. If a non-attendee would like to stay in the area, please find accommodations outside of the WSBA room block.
The WSBA room block is for Wednesday and Thursday nights, May 13, and 14, at the rate of $184 plus taxes and fees.
Use this booking link to secure your hotel reservation.
Scholarships
Please see information below on Midyear Conference Scholarships.
NOTE: To omit your name from the networking list made available to exhibitors and/or attendees, enter the code OPTOUT in Promo Code field during checkout.
When: May 14-15, 2026
Where: Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA
ELUL 2026 Midyear Conference Public Service Attorney Scholarships
Midyear Conference Scholarships Instructions
The Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the WSBA is prepared to give two scholarships up to $1,000 toward 2026 ELUL Midyear Conference costs and expenses. The Midyear Conference will be held May 14–15, 2026, at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington. Scholarships may be used for conference registration, travel, room, and certain meal expenses.
Eligible applicants will meet the following requirements:
- Work in public interest or public service (i.e., non-profit (501(c)(3)), or local, state or federal government);
- Work in Washington State;
- Practice in the field of environmental and/or land use law; and
- Current member of the ELUL (membership may be established any time prior to scholarship application submittal).
How to Apply
Entrants should submit a short (one page or less) cover letter with their contact information and a brief statement to show compliance with the eligibility criteria for this scholarship. Entries should be in PDF format. Entrants must submit their entry by email to jpilgrim82@gmail.com, with the subject line "WSBA 2026 ELUL Midyear Scholarship." Entries must be received on or before 5 p.m. PDT on April 1, 2026.
Selection
Successful applicants will be selected at the discretion of a subcommittee of the ELUL Executive Committee. Awardees will be notified by April 10, 2026, and must confirm acceptance of the award (including intent to register for the conference) by April 17, 2026. Registration will be processed using scholarship funds, with the remaining amount awarded for other qualifying expenses upon submittal of receipts after the conference. More information about qualifying expenses can be found in the WSBA Expense Report on page 2.
Follow Us on Social Media and our List Serve!
Come follow the Environmental and Land Use Law Section social media accounts and list serve.
To join the section list serve or for general section questions, please send your email address and bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact Section Chair Jason Harn.
ELUL's Annual Fellowship for Students
Check here for information about ELUL Section's Annual Fellowship.
Advice for Law Students
The Environmental and Land Use Law Section Executive Committee has put together a collection of advice for law students. We hope you find this compilation of reflections and advice to be helpful as you navigate through the unique challenges of this unprecedented moment in history.
Get Involved!
Are you interested in speaking at a CLE seminar or in helping to organize a CLE? The section is always looking for ideas, speakers, and volunteers. To propose topics and speakers for our mini-CLEs, please contact an ELUL Executive Committee member. To propose topics, speakers, or co-chairs for the ELUL's Annual Midyear Seminar, please contact Tom Wilcox. Co-chairs are selected in the fall of each year, and typically begin planning the next year’s Midyear Seminar toward the end of each current year.
Benefits of Membership
The ELUL Blog
In 2020, ELUL shifted from a newsletter format to publication of articles on a blog. The blog is a free resource that provides updates and in-depth articles on cases, draft rules, new statutes, and other topics relevant to environmental and land use law practitioners. A host of talented and dedicated lawyers donate their time to make this publication the great success it is.
Spring 2017 │ Summer 2016 │ Spring 2016 │ November 2015 │ August 2015 │ February 2015
Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.
Midyear Seminar
Every year, the Section hosts a meeting that features a two-day CLE in a resort area in the state. The CLE program is carefully vetted through the Executive Committee to ensure that top-quality presentations focus on timely topics of current utility and interest to environmental and land use law practitioners. As most of us have practices that delve into the realms of both land use and environmental law, the CLE allows us to get up to date on both areas of the law. Again, opportunities abound to network in a relaxed atmosphere ideal for forging new friendships and working relationships. We work hard to keep the cost as low as possible for our members and provide scholarships to qualified individuals. Contact Jason Foust, Michelle Furrer, and Rachel Sinsheimer to propose topics or speakers. Your dues make this possible.
Mini-CLEs
The Section provides its members with low-cost mini-CLEs to coincide with significant cases and topics relevant to environmental and land use practitioners. Please watch social media, the ELUL list serve, and this website for upcoming mini-CLEs, and please contact Jason Foust to propose topics or speakers. Your dues make this possible.
Sponsoring Law School Students in Internships
The Section helps sponsor internships in the fields of land use and environmental law to deserving law students at the three law schools in Washington. The Executive Committee believes it is important for the Section to help students find their way into practice areas that are highly specialized and in which it is sometimes difficult to find relevant experience. We hope that by helping law students in internships, we will help grow the highly skilled lawyers of the future. Your dues make this possible.
Special Projects
Giving back to the community is important. The Executive Committee in the past several years has developed a high school curriculum for Law Day specifically geared toward environmental and land use law, undertaken a project on sustainability of law office practices, and hosted numerous free brown bags on topics of interest such as I-297 and the Endangered Species Act. We have also sponsored Earth Day and Habitat for Humanity Work Days. Your dues make this possible.
Scholarship Information
The WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Section solicits donations from law firms and section members to fund scholarships for its midyear meeting and conference held each spring. Scholarships serve an educational and charitable purpose by helping attorneys and law students attend the midyear conference and CLE who would not otherwise be able to attend.
Please Donate to the Scholarship Fund
To contribute to the ELUL Section Scholarship Fund, please donate online or contact the Washington State Bar Foundation. Donations are fully tax deductible.
Executive Committee
Chair: Jason Foust (2025-2026) Chair-Elect: Gabrielle Gurian (2025-2026) Immediate Past Chair: Darren Carnell (2025-2026) Secretary: Dylan Stonecipher (2025-2026) Treasurer: Elizabeth Anderson (2025-2026) New Member Liaison: Katy O'Keefe (2024-2026) Board of Governors Liaison*: Jordan Couch (2025-2026) *Nonvoting member
| At-Large Members: Blog Editors*: Legislative Updates*: Mini-CLE Planning*: Scholarships, Communications & Website*: Jessica Pilgrim |
Executive Committee Meetings
The WSBA ELUL Executive Committee generally conducts meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. Please email section chair for meeting details.
See the ELUL Executive Committee Meeting Minutes page to see archived meeting minutes.
For more information about the Executive Committee members, check out their biographies.
