Center on Environment, Land, and Law
Center on Environment, Land, and Law
Led by Gauthier-St. Martin Chair Rob Verchick and Research Director Alessandra Jerolleman, CELL transforms environmental law from a casebook study into a practice-ready career. As the administrative home for Loyola’s Policy Lab and Research Lab, we provide students with a physical and collaborative space to draft legislation and design advocacy strategies for real-world community partners.
Our commitment to elevating the student experience extends beyond the labs to encompass all facets of experiential learning. Whether navigating the unique ecosystem of the Florida Keys field course or performing high-level legal work through our J.D., LL.M., and Master Externship programs, students under the CELL umbrella gain the hands-on skills necessary to shape the legal landscape of the Gulf South and beyond
CELL Student Fellows
Andrew and Joan Lemmon Environmental Law Fellows
Amina Habib
Amina is originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina but is a longtime Louisiana resident. She obtained her B.A. in political science from Loyola University New Orleans in 2024 and decided to make New Orleans her permanent home. Upon beginning law school in the fall of 2025, she knew she wanted to dedicate her career to serving marginalized populations. Amina was particularly drawn to environmental law, viewing it as a field where policymaking is directly connected to the protection and advancement of human rights and social justice.
Johnetta Bell
A native of Mound Bayou, MS, Johnetta recently graduated with a Master of Art in Environmental Law from Loyola. She previously earned her B.S. in environmental science and biology from Delta State University. Her hometown holds the distinction of being the oldest All-Black municipality in the U.S., which has informed her work in understanding how environmental issues impact underserved and overlooked communities. Johnetta’s interests focus on environmental justice, regulatory policy, and systemic accountability.
Renewable Energy Fellowship
The Renewable Energy Fellowship is a full-time staff position established in partnership with a coalition led by the Center for Planning Excellence. This fellow serves as a legal and policy expert at the forefront of advancing grid modernization and renewable energy development before the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Designed for law school graduates, the role involves drafting regulatory filings and developing frameworks that ensure Louisiana remains competitive and resilient throughout the clean energy transition. By bridging the gap between federal incentives and state-level implementation, the Fellow helps create a practical path for energy projects that bring reliable power and economic opportunity to local communities.
CELL Professional Fellow
Renewable Energy Fellowship
Bryanna Frazier
Originally from Canton, Ohio, Bryanna has called New Orleans home for over 13 years. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School and an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Alabama, a background that allows her to navigate the intersection of complex tax code and environmental advocacy. As a practicing transactions attorney, she has extensive experience advising developers on the Inflation Reduction Act and renewable energy projects. This work fueled her passion for the energy transition and led her to CELL, where she now utilizes her legal skillset to advance policy and grid modernization in Louisiana.