Protecting the Waters
The ocean holds a special place in the heart of current 3L and avid surfer Julia Meskis ‘25. In fact, her love of the waters has completely shaped her career goals, as she plans to ultimately use her law degree to protect the ocean for future generations.
“My biggest hope is to pursue a career fighting for equitable access,” says Meskis. “It is how I stay motivated. I believe in the healing powers of the ocean, and my law school experience has allowed me to pursue that.”
Meskis says she chose to go to Roger Williams because of the Marine Affairs Institute. She says this gave her the ability to pursue her passion for the ocean and coastal law while also introducing her to a broad range of professionals working in the field.
“(The Marine Affairs Institute) has really helped me in my career by helping me be part of such a large network of people who are working in such a niche area of law,” says Meskis, who would like to be involved in either legal research or work for a nonprofit after graduating.
Meskis has served as both a law fellow for Rhode Island Sea Grant and a student clinician for the Institute during her law school career. She says her time with the Marine Affairs Institute has allowed her to work side by side with a mentor, noting that Institute director Julia Wyman has made a profound impact on her. In particular, Meskis says that her work with the Institute has allowed her to improve her legal writing skills, something that she says is absolutely crucial in the field.
Currently, Meskis is a legal extern at The Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is “dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves, and beaches.” In her role, Meskis is conducting legal research for the organization. Her work varies week to week, from preparing case status updates to writing research memos on a range of maritime issues.
“I work on everything from local town ordinances to larger-scale issues, like ocean access and how coastal law and real estate will be affected by rising sea levels. Right now, I am working on a small town issue of beach access, making policy arguments about why beach access should be more accessible and equitable.”
Meskis says that her externship has been teaching her about how to be an effective advocate and what that looks like in terms of legal writing. She says the experience of trying to persuade a local town has shown her the power of being a strong communicator.
“(My externship) is really teaching me how to apply my passion into my writing,” she says.
For Meskis, the most enjoyable part of her externship has been working for a nonprofit where everyone has the same passion for ocean health and equitable access. In fact, Meskis and her boss are both surfers, something which she says has allowed them to bond even further.
“Everyone at Surfrider has the same values instilled in them,” says Meskis.
“They live in the ocean and they work for the ocean. Everyone there is an advocate for the same pillars that I believe in.”