Michaela Bulkley
Staff Writer
The La Verne Law Review held a symposium to educate law students and the community about the impact of the drought, the legislation that has happened because of it, water allocation and water endowments March 20 at the College of Law.
“Everyone knows we are having a problem with the drought but not everyone knows the impact of it,” said Noelia Barajas, co-executive editor of La Verne Law Review.
Speakers included professors, water managers and Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale).
Gatto has passed nine bills regarding water legislation and was asked to speak at the event to provide insight to students on law making processes.
“We wanted to make it a local concern; we really wanted the symposium to be meaningful to this community,” said Linsey Grout, another co-executive editor of the Review.
“The drought is heavily effecting this community as well as everyone; we thought it was the perfect topic,” she said.
Many who attended had a basic understanding of the legislations or the environment and asked specific questions for the speakers, such as potential new legislation for current problems. The event was also meant to expose students to another career path, environmental law.
“I wanted to learn more about how water law is handled in the state of California,” Brenda Diederichs, an attorney, said. “I’ve been able to, in a short amount of time, learn a lot about the state of water.”
The day-long event included four panels, each lasting about an hour that included speakers presenting power points and audience discussions.
Attendees were given small gift bags and information on speakers with their research and presentations.
“I think the symposium is meant to get a bunch of good minds together to wrestle with a new thing we are facing in this state, which is the drought,” Gatto said.
“There are a lot of good minds here that I heard from and I think I can take back some good ideas that maybe I can put into legislation.”
The event was organized by Barajas and Grout. About 70 people attended the event, which took place in a classroom that was changed into a symposium room. The centerpieces were cacti, succulents and other water friendly plants.
“The symposium is part of our core concepts of creating a beacon hope and inspiration for the community,” said Gilbert Holmes, College of Law dean. “We have a lot of different ways in which we engage the community, interact with the community and educate our students about the community.”
Michaela Bulkley can be reached at michaela.bulkley@laverne.edu.
