Sunrise over a field Through Dayton Law's partnership with the Hanley Sustainability Institute (HSI), students gain an understanding of the legal issues surrounding climate change and sustainability, while putting that understanding into real-life practice.

Students in the Dayton Law-HSI Collaborative pursue a concentration in Law and Sustainability by combining law courses in subjects such as administrative and environmental law with HSI classes in sustainability studies. Applying their classroom knowledge, students advance to solving problems presented in externship and summer environmental law fellowships.

Along with opportunities for law students to gain hands-on experience, the Collaborative affords them the opportunity to participate in lectures, symposia, and other events that deepen the campus conversation around law and sustainability.

Origins of the Hanley Sustainability Institute

The University of Dayton established the Hanley Sustainability Institute in 2014 with a $12.5 million gift from the foundation of George Hanley '77 and Amanda Hanley. With the gift, the single-largest in University history, the Hanleys challenged the University to become a national leader for innovation in sustainability.

Birth of the Collaborative

The Collaborative was launched at a summit between the Dayton Law and HSI leadership in March 2019. The Collaborative’s purpose is to leverage the Law School’s legal expertise with Hanley’s strength in science and policy to promote environmental research and activism and help students become successful stewards of our planet.