Student Extracurricular Learning Opportunities

Students have myriad opportunities to acquire additional knowledge and practice-ready skills through concentrated extracurricular activities that address Oil and Gas Law and related topics. Symposia, conferences and visiting practitioners and scholars provide our students a well-rounded, diverse exploration into natural resources and oil and gas law. Washburn Law students graduate with solid skills required in today’s environment.

The Washburn Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Society (formerly Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF) Washburn Student Chapter) promotes the study of the law and regulations relating to mining, oil and gas, water, public lands, land use, conservation, environmental protection, and other related areas. Washburn Law is one of 30 law schools that are RMMLF trustee schools and the only law school that has a student organization affiliated with the Foundation.

A major element of Washburn Law’s educational program is the creation of opportunities for students to continue their learning outside the classroom. Students attend programs sponsored by the three foundations that provide educational support to oil and gas lawyers: the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, and the Energy Law Institute of the Center for American and International Law. Students also attend programs provided by state bar associations and other organizations offering continuing legal education in oil and gas law and related subjects. 

Students also have the opportunity to attend, and participate in, a number of programs held at the law school. For example, during the Spring 2014 semester Washburn students will prepare and present a symposium focusing on difficult oil and gas title issues. Students, working closely with two lawyer-mentors, will conduct an in-depth study of a selected title issue. In addition to preparing a written work addressing the issue, each student will make a presentation to the audience of title lawyers to explain the issue and share his or her findings. The goal is to promote meaningful extracurricular study while showcasing our students and providing the legal community with valuable information.

Faculty members take advantage of every opportunity to have students experience the practice of oil and gas law. Recent examples of class projects include assisting in the negotiation and drafting of an oil and gas lease, preparing language for a mineral conveyance, researching an operating agreement problem, conducting a title search, and monitoring administrative proceedings contesting a proposed horizontal drilling program. The opportunities are always timely and real.