JASON J. CZARNEZKI

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/11/20919980-utah-strikes-deal-to-reopen-national-parks-as-other-states-weigh-cost-to-taxpayers?lite

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/business/international/france-upholds-fracking-ban.html?_r=0

"France’s highest court on Friday upheld a government ban on a controversial drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, in a defeat for a method that has revolutionized the oil and natural gas industry in the United States. The Constitutional Council ruled against a challenge by Schuepbach Energy, an American company, whose exploration permits were revoked after the French Parliament banned the practice. The method, known informally as fracking, pumps water, sand and chemicals under high pressure into shale formations deep underground to liberate trapped oil and natural gas deposits."

Check out this review by Pace Law School Professor David Cassuto http://verdict.justia.com/2013/10/11/review-mind-order-cheeseburger-questions-people-ask-vegans

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/us/outside-national-parks-feeling-squeezed-by-the-shutdown.html?hp&_r=0

Check it out:
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/327029-government-shutdown-and-the-epa-environmental-dangers-of-congressional-recklessness

Pace Law Student Zaheer Tajani wrote a commentary of my Kerlin Lecture, New York City Rules! He begins:

"When Dr. Barry Commoner inaugurated the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Professor of Law lecture series, he began by speaking about New York City and how its population slowly changed the pollution practices of the city. He related the story of how he and a small band of lawyers, community organizers and citizens stood athwart the medical waste incineration practices that released un-quantified amounts and unnamed dioxins into the atmosphere, which accumulated in milk, dairy and meat products. While Dr. Commoner delivered his address in Fall of 1999, 14 years later his discussion of slow progress shaping New York City is not far from the heart of the new Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Professor of Law, Professor Jason Czarnezki."

Full Commentary Available Here: https://pelr.blogs.law.pace.edu/2013/10/08/professor-jason-czarnezki-new-york-rules/

Certainly tourists in the expansive American West and here in NYC are disappointed that they can’t see our National Parks like Yellowstone and National Monuments like the Statute of Liberty. The National Park System has closed hundreds of parks. The Environmental Protection Agency is almost completely shutdown. Only 3.85% of all EPA employees (less exempted employees) remain on the job. WIC funding is at risk once state monies run out. The National Institutes of Health are not accepting new patients. And the FDA has suspended food safety inspections. Putting the looming (and very significant) debt ceiling issues aside, I remain very concerned that, with growing income inequality, our social fabric will be unable to survive in a country where public welfare benefits (like health care, clean air and water, and safe food) are continually at risk and held hostage.

Via Buzzfeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/13-cases-at-the-supreme-court-that-could-change-the-country

Pace Law School seeks a dean with the creativity, passion, drive, and stature to build on the Law School’s success to date. The new Dean of the School of Law will combine exemplary achievements in the field of law with strategic leadership ability; outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; collaborative and creative energy; and a passion for the unique missions of both the School and the University. In collaboration with the faculty of the School, s/he will articulate a vision and strategic plan that will advance the School’s national and international reputation and recognition.

Founded in 1976, Pace Law School is a student-centered academic community committed to excellence in legal education. The Law School’s relatively small size, along with the faculty’s historical focus on teaching and culture of mentorship, have fostered an intimate and supportive learning environment. Pace’s history is rooted in a culture of student-centeredness, emphasis on teaching, practice-experienced faculty, and student mentoring. Pace’s intellectually stimulating environment helps students to develop judgment, read and analyze carefully, hone their writing, advocacy and counseling skills, and think broadly and critically about legal problems. As the only law school between New York City and Albany, Pace occupies a unique role in the community. The school serves as an intellectual center for practicing lawyers, policy-makers, judges, local and state government officials, and community groups. Pace Law School alumni are among the school’s greatest assets.

The school’s core curriculum, clinics, externships, law reviews, moot court programs, simulation courses, and student organizations reflect a strong passion for developing well-rounded students. The school prides itself on innovative programs in environmental law, land use and real estate, women’s justice, criminal law, intellectual property, international law, and clinical education. Great effort is dedicated by the faculty and staff to keep these programs innovative and exciting. The law school faculty is known for its accessibility, practical experience, scholarly endeavors, and service to the community and legal profession. Faculty includes the leaders of today and the future in several fields.

The Dean of Pace Law School will be an energetic, self-assured leader of stature with a track record of distinguished contributions to the field of law, preferably in legal education. The Dean will be a capable executive with skills in fiscal and human resource management and in fund raising and development. He or she must have the social acumen, powers of persuasion, and authentic personal leadership style necessary to advance the School and inspire its faculty and students. Candidates must have a JD, be eligible for tenure as a Professor of Law, and have demonstrated administrative and leadership skills, experience managing change, and a deep commitment to student success and faculty development.

A complete application will include a letter of interest, a current curriculum vitae, and contact information for five professional references. Credential review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations, applications, expressions of interest, and requests for the complete leadership profile should be sent electronically to Manny Berger or Werner Boel, the Witt/Kieffer consultants for the Pace University School of Law Dean search, at PaceLawDean. All inquiries, applications, and nominations will be kept strictly confidential absent permission to proceed otherwise.

Pace University is committed to achieving full equal opportunity in all aspects of University life. Pursuant to this commitment, the University does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender or gender identity; race; color; national origin; religion; creed; age; disability; citizenship; marital or domestic partnership status; sexual orientation or affectional status; genetic predisposition or carrier status; military or veteran status; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking; or any other characteristic protected by law federal, state or local law, rule or regulation.

Professor Gabriel Michanek of Sweden’s Uppsala University came to the Pace Law School today, and presented in my Natural Resources Law Class on "Swedish and EU Environmental Law," focusing on controversial issues between the EU and Sweden, the fisheries in the EU, water law in relation to the EU water framework directive and comparing EU/Sweden with U.S. environmental law. Some takeaways from the lecture:
-Despite the view of many, Sweden is imperfect. Sweden convicted 19 times before Court of Justice of the EU on environmental issues (often on air quality standards).
-There are significant challenges in harmonizing national environmental law with EU environmental law, especially in determining legal interpretive questions about the effect of EU directives.
-The usefulness of Sweden’s environmental courts. I note that environmental courts are becoming increasingly popular in China, and exist in Vermont as well.
-Two big controversial issues: (1) EU fishery policy – How to attain sustainable stocks since fish stocks in the NE Atlantic are in trouble (79% of the fish stocks are overfished), and (2) Good water status in EU water when it clashes with national law of the Member States. This is a particular problem in Sweden where water licenses may be "eternal" with some hundreds of years old. Sweden must significantly change its water law in order to comply with EU law. Will the EU bring Sweden to court?