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Attorney Lisa Blitstein Supports Environmental Law Student-Competitors at Alma Mater, University of Baltimore School of Law

Posted April 30, 2024 at 7:31 AM

Eminent Domain and Condemnation, Litigation, MM&C Happenings, News & Events

Since graduating from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2022, Lisa Blitstein has looked for ways to give back to her alma mater and mentor the next cohort of future attorneys.

In 2023, she began serving as an adjunct professor for the University’s first National Environmental Law Moot Court team, along with Grant Foehrkolb, an Assistant Attorney General with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  After many hours of coaching sessions with the team to strengthen their oral advocacy skills and refine their arguments, Blitstein and the team made the journey to the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, New York. The team, comprised of 2L students Jessica Kweon, Abbey Rubeling, and Bella Winslow, took on worthy competitors from across the country, arguing on behalf of three different parties, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as to the multitude of considerations related to construction of a natural gas pipeline.

“To say I was impressed is an understatement,” remarked Blitstein of the performances of her team. “These students had poise, extensive knowledge of the challenging record before them, and a rapport with the judges that would serve them just as well in any real courtroom.  After each round, the judges’ feedback proved that this team truly shined. They even got compliments from the Mayor of White Plains,” she added.  

In addition to Blitstein, Miller, Miller & Canby attorneys Diane Feuerherd, Taggart Hutchinson and Joe Suntum joined the University of Baltimore School of Law Board of Advocates and other volunteer attorneys to assist the team’s preparations.

In April 2024, Blitstein also assisted the UB Law team in the Pace University Environmental Law and Policy Hack Competition. The team’s presentation, “Achieving a Circular Economy for Textile Waste in Baltimore City: Improving a Significant Public-Private Partnership Through Targeted Legal Reform,” was delivered by virtual platform on April 19. The UB team, one of three teams across the country to advance to the final round, ultimately received First Place and was awarded a monetary grant to help implement their goals to advocate for the City of Baltimore to eliminate textile waste. Blitstein provided feedback on the team’s written materials, and gave tips on connecting with the audience to bring the team’s presentation “to life” through storytelling.

Blitstein is looking forward to following the bright careers of these future lawyers. “These law students exemplify the standards of excellence that make me proud to be a University of Baltimore alum, and I’ve learned just as much, if not more, from them.”

Lisa Blitstein is an associate in the litigation practice at Miller, Miller & Canby, focusing on Civil Litigation, Eminent Domain, Real Estate/Lease Litigation and Appellate Practice. To learn more about her practice, contact her at lnblitstein@mmcanby.com.

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