Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic
Our Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic protects West Virginia’s land and water through community-driven planning and conservation efforts.
Client Eligibility and Application
More than 140 student clinicians and staff have traveled 100,000+ miles to support West Virginia’s communities. The clinic has served 53 of 55 West Virginia counties to date and engaged in 1,000+ community meetings.
This work has led to the conservation of 5,000 acres of land to ensure future generations can enjoy wild and wonderful West Virginia and the adoption of 44 comprehensive community plans.
Please contact Clinic Director Katherine Garvey for more information about client eligibility.
Cases in Action
The Land Use Law Clinic works throughout West Virginia to protect water quality, wetlands, forests, farmland, and open spaces in cooperation with local non-profits like the West Virginia Land Trust and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service. These partnerships help our students develop transactional legal skills, including drafting option agreements, purchase contracts, deeds, right-of-way agreements, conservation easements, and other transactional instruments.
Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic Benefits
Hands-on experience, real clients, and practical skills that prepare you for legal practice.
Education in Action
84,000 hours of legal work
(140 students x 600 hours average per year, plus attorney work)
140 student clinicians
4 undergraduate interns
(if applicable)
1 full-time staff
(if applicable)
From the Director’s Desk
“The heart of the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic has always been student service to communities in West Virginia. Our students bring energy and an analytical lens to complex legal challenges in real estate and land use law. Our clients, whether they are small-town mayors, local planning commissions, non-profit directors, or governmental leaders, are dedicated to sustainable growth and conservation initiatives. It is a privilege to witness our students gain hands-on experience while helping our clients improve quality of life in West Virginia.”
— Katherine Garvey, Director of the Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic
Student Insight
“My experience at the Land Use Clinic has been difficult and yet rewarding. I have had an opportunity to work with local governments, the federal government, and local public service districts. I have drafted portions of ordinances, presented at public meetings, and reviewed and drafted real estate documents, including conversation easements. I am sure that this experience will help me when I return home to practice law in the Eastern Panhandle.
I have not only strengthened my skills in these areas of law but also learned how to effectively communicate and manage an occasionally intense workload. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work on several different projects and to gain experience in a broad range of land use topics. To undertake any law school clinic is a difficult endeavor, however, the confidence and experience gained from the hands-on work is something that makes it well worthwhile.
Tristan Everett WVU Law Class of 2026
Your Support is Critical to Our Success
Help Provide Legal Aid
We’re thankful for our partnership with the WVU College of Law and for the resources the college provides to empower our work. To complement these resources, the clinic also raises funds to fulfill our mission of protecting and improving the quality of life in West Virginia.
These donations support student travel, staff travel, copies, student training events, and more.
Visit give.wvu.edu or contact:
Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic Director
Katherine Garvey
Email: katherine.garvey@mail.wvu.edu Phone: 304-293-2757 Office: Room 243, WVU College of Law