![\"George\"](\"\/law\/files\/2016\/01\/george-sasha1.jpg\")
When Aleksandra \u201cSasha\u201d George (\u201916), a native of the Bronx with a BA in Economics, Philosophy, as well as Environmental Policy from Fordham\u00a0University, began to look at law schools, she liked BU Law because it \u201cprovides a great opportunity to come together with people of diverse backgrounds.\u201d After showing interest in the School, she discussed the curriculum with Professor Jay Wexler<\/a>, who \u201cexplained the different avenues there are for environmental law at BU, specifically the Semester-in-Practice (SiP) program<\/a>.\u201d This conversation solidified her decision to participate in practical clinics, she says, because she knew she \u201cwanted to gain work experience while in law school,\u201d which the SiP program allows her to do.<\/p>\nGeorge has always been a passionate advocate for environmental issues and policy, especially those regarding urban concerns such as clean water and how to encourage communities to actively engage in environmental justice. \u201cThrough the law, I saw a way to fix the problems surrounding me,\u201d\u00a0she says. \u201cLaw and policy are such fascinating aspects of environmental protection.\u201d Elements of different disciplines coalesce to make an impact: \u201cFor example, in the realm of environmental regulation, incentive-based market measures encourage sustainable practices.\u201d She has seen this type of collaboration directly during her internship at the Environmental Protection Agency and her SiP clerkship with the Environmental Enforcement Section at the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n
For the Semester-in-Practice, George divides her time between the Environmental Justice, Regions 7 and 10, and Power Plants groups. Her main responsibilities surround litigation dealing with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Environmental Justice and the CERCLA Act. This has allowed her the opportunity to hone the skills acquired through courses such as Corporations, Environmental Justice, Constitutional Law, and Civil Procedure. She conducts research and drafts motions, and her name is sometimes credited in the final documents. \u201cI really enjoy the opportunity to participate and provide feedback,\u201d she notes, \u201cespecially recently in a series of mock trial sessions with the Power Plants group.\u201d<\/p>\n
At BU Law, George has pursued her varied interests, previously serving as president of the Environmental and Energy Law Society (EELS), vice president of the Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA), the 1L representative and mentor for the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), and as assistant director of Legal Follies Contraband\u2019s spring performance. She paired her creativity with philanthropy when she coordinated EELS\u2019s \u201cSnowpocalypse: Climate Change, Extreme Weather & Our Policy Response\u201d event to call attention to climate change and the increasing frequency of severe weather events worldwide. \u201cAt the School,\u201d she says, \u201cI\u2019ve found a community that cares.\u201d<\/p>\n