Conservation Law Center
Conservation Law Center is a 501(c)(3) public-interest environmental law firm providing free legal services to Indiana conservation organizations, land trusts, and underserved communities. It also operates the Conservation Law Clinic at IU Maurer School of Law.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersBloomington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Conservation Law Center does
Conservation Law Center (CLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public-interest environmental law firm founded in 2005 in Bloomington, Indiana, and is the only organization of its kind operating in the state. Its core service lines are Legal Advocacy, Nonprofit Support, Policy, Partnerships, and Legal Education, delivered exclusively as pro bono representation and advisory work to Indiana-based conservation organizations, land trusts, and community groups on environmental matters including land conservation, public trust doctrine, water quality, and environmental justice. Specialized programs include the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape (a federally recognized 3.5-million-acre partnership covering 25 counties, formalized through CLC's coordinator designation), the Environmental Legal Aid Program operating in northern Lake County, and the Clean Water Indiana initiative.
The organization is institutionally anchored at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where it runs the Conservation Law Clinic—a hands-on training pipeline that has produced more than 300 student interns. Since inception, CLC has contributed to the protection of over 30,000 acres of Indiana land, assisted 35 land trusts with pro bono support, and maintained 60+ years of combined conservation-law experience across its staff. Its landmark Gunderson v. State Indiana Supreme Court victory established strong public trust rights on Lake Michigan, a precedent that is distinct among Great Lakes states. It also publishes a Conservation Easement Template Series as a reusable legal resource.
CLC's business model is entirely donation- and grant-funded; all legal services are provided free of charge, and the firm does not bill clients. Visible funding includes a $100,000 Efroymson Family Fund grant for 2026, a $50,000 Herbert Simon Family Foundation grant, a $50,000 Indiana Climate and Democracy Catalyst Fund grant, a $20,000 Brabson Family Foundation grant, and a $200,000 fundraising match goal. Operations are supported by a small core team (1-10 employees) and a broader partnership network spanning 100+ organizations including federal agencies, state agencies, national NGOs, and local community groups.
Conservation Law Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Conservation Law Center
- Legal name
- Conservation Law Center
- Website
- https://conservationlawcenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Conservation Law Center is a 501(c)(3) public-interest environmental law firm providing free legal services to Indiana conservation organizations, land trusts, and underserved communities. It also operates the Conservation Law Clinic at IU Maurer School of Law.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Conservation Law Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Legal Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Lawyers (541110), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental & Energy Law (BPAHAAAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Law School Research Centers & Institutes (e.g., Law & Economics, Human Rights) (EDAHAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Conservation Law Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bloomington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Conservation Law Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As an independent, donor-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CLC is primarily funded through donations and grants. They have received grants from entities such as the Efroymson Family Fund ($100,000 for 2026), Indiana Climate and Democracy Catalyst Fund ($50,000), Herbert Simon Family Foundation ($50,000), Brabson Family Foundation ($20,000), Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and Duke Energy Foundation.
- Pro Bono Legal Services: CLC provides free legal services to conservation organizations, land trusts, and community groups, operating as a public-interest environmental law firm.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free legal services for qualified conservation organizations and community groups |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Conservation Law Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Conservation Law Center is a 501(c)(3) public-interest environmental law firm that provides free legal services to conservation organizations, land trusts, and underserved communities in Indiana. The firm delivers pro bono representation, nonprofit governance counsel, conservation easement drafting, and policy advocacy focused on water quality, land conservation, biodiversity, public trust doctrine, and environmental justice. It also trains law students through the Conservation Law Clinic at Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
Product overview
Conservation Law Center is a public-interest environmental law firm (501(c)(3)) providing legal services to conservation organizations. The organization operates four core service lines—Legal Advocacy, Nonprofit Support, Policy, and Legal Education—alongside three specialized programs: the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape (a federal partnership coordinating conservation across 3.5 million acres), the Environmental Legal Aid Program (offering free legal assistance to northern Lake County residents), and the Clean Water Indiana project (advocating for water policy reform). The center also maintains a Partnerships program connecting conservation organizations with resources. All services are provided free of charge to qualifying clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Legal Advocacy Free legal representation and litigation services for environmental organizations before administrative tribunals and state/federal courts, covering air quality, water protection, endangered species, wetlands, and land use matters.
- Nonprofit Support Pro bono legal assistance to Indiana land trusts and conservation organizations including real estate transactions, conservation easements, timber theft, public access issues, and nonprofit governance.
- Policy Legislative monitoring, bill analysis, regulatory engagement, and policy research to shape water quality and natural resource protection laws at the Indiana Statehouse and state agencies.
- Legal Education (Conservation Law Clinic) Hands-on training program at IU Maurer School of Law where second and third-year law students represent live clients on environmental law matters including litigation, regulatory advocacy, and community representation.
- Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape A 3.5-million-acre federal conservation partnership coordinated by CLC, advancing conservation around four military installations to protect military readiness, natural resources, and agricultural economies.
- Environmental Legal Aid Program Free legal assistance to residents and organizations in northern Lake County Indiana addressing environmental concerns including pollution, development, air quality, and contaminated sites.
- Clean Water Indiana Water policy and infrastructure improvement project advocating for updated drainage laws, addressing failing septic systems, and protecting Indiana's freshwater resources.
- Partnerships Collaborative conservation programs connecting organizations across Indiana and beyond, providing resources, conservation easements templates, legal advice, and land acquisition support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30,000 acres protected since 2005
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Conservation Law Center
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Conservation Law Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Conservation Law Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
52 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Sentinel Landscapes PartnershipcoreFederal interagency partnership (USDA, DoD, DOI) designating Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape in 2022 as one of only ten such areas nationwide, covering 3.5 million acres.
- Indiana League of Conservation VoterscoreWater partner organization working on water quality issues in Indiana.
- The White River AlliancecoreWater partner organization dedicated to protecting and improving the White River watershed.
- Little River Wetlands ProjectsecondaryWetlands conservation partner organization.
- Friends of White RivercorePartner dedicated to protecting and improving the White River.
- Friends of Goose PondsecondaryConservation partner for Goose Pond area.
- For Love of Water (FLOW)secondaryWater advocacy organization focused on Great Lakes protection.
- Save the DunescoreLong-standing client and partner in public trust litigation, including Gunderson v. State and Ogden Dunes cases.
- Alliance for the Great LakescoreCo-client in Gunderson v. State case establishing public trust rights on Lake Michigan.
- EarthjusticecoreNational environmental law organization partner for community-centered conservation.
- Natural Resources Defense CouncilcoreNational environmental advocacy partner.
- Northwestern Environmental Advocacy ClinicsecondaryAcademic partner for environmental justice work.
- Abrams Environmental Law ClinicsecondaryAcademic partner at University of Michigan for environmental law.
- Environmental Integrity ProjectsecondaryPartner focused on environmental accountability and enforcement.
- Brown Faces Green SpacescoreEnvironmental justice organization addressing disproportionate environmental burdens.
- Hoosier Environmental CouncilcoreMajor Indiana environmental advocacy organization; co-counsel on multiple cases including wetlands protection and water quality.
- Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation DistrictscoreState partner for soil and water conservation initiatives.
- Indiana Department of Natural ResourcescoreKey state agency partner for conservation and land management.
- American Farmland TrustcoreNational farmland conservation partner, particularly for Sentinel Landscape work.
- Central Indiana Land TrustcoreRegional land trust partner for Indiana conservation.
- Ducks UnlimitedsecondaryWaterfowl and wetland conservation partner.
- The Nature ConservancycoreMajor global conservation organization partner, involved in Busseron Creek project and statewide conservation.
- Friends of Lake MonroesecondaryLocal partner for Lake Monroe watershed protection.
- Three Valley Land TrustsecondaryRegional land trust partner in Indiana.
- Shirley Heinze Land TrustsecondaryRegional land trust partner in Indiana.
- Sierra Club – Hoosier ChaptercoreMajor environmental advocacy organization in Indiana.
- Red-tail Land ConservancycoreIndiana land trust partner with long-standing relationship.
- Oak Heritage ConservancysecondaryRegional land trust partner in Indiana.
- NICHES Land TrustsecondaryRegional land trust partner in Indiana.
- Sycamore Land TrustcoreMajor Indiana land trust partner with 15+ year relationship.
- Macaw Recovery NetworkcoreInternational partner for Great Green Macaw conservation across Central and South America.
- Friends of the Patoka River National Wildlife RefugesecondaryPartner for Patoka River conservation.
- Indiana Wildlife FederationsecondaryState wildlife advocacy organization.
- Indiana Native Plant SocietysecondaryPartner for native plant conservation.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreFederal partner in Sentinel Landscapes Partnership providing conservation funding and programs (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, NRCS).
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)coreFederal partner for Sentinel Landscapes, protecting military installations including Naval Weapons Station Crane, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Training Center.
- U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)coreFederal partner including US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.
- U.S. Navy – Naval Weapons Station CranecoreOne of four critical military installations within the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape.
- The Conservation FundcoreKey partner in acquiring and protecting land, including Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area (4,000 acres).
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreFederal conservation programs and Agricultural Land Easements.
- US Forest Service – Hoosier National ForestcoreFederal partner for forest conservation in southern Indiana.
- Indiana Soybean AlliancesecondaryAgricultural partner for sustainable farming within Sentinel Landscape.
- Quail ForeversecondaryHabitat conservation partner for quail and wildlife.
- Pheasants ForeversecondaryHabitat conservation partner.
- National Wild Turkey FederationsecondaryWildlife habitat partner.
- Monarch Joint VenturesecondaryPollinator conservation partner.
- Duke EnergysecondaryFunding partner for Lake Monroe watershed monitoring through Duke Energy Foundation.
- Urban League Block ClubscoreCommunity partner for environmental justice in Northwest Indiana.
- Northern Lake County Environmental PartnershipcoreCoalition partner for environmental justice in northern Lake County.
- Gary Advocates for Responsible DevelopmentcoreLocal advocacy partner in Gary, Indiana for responsible development.
- Indiana State Bar AssociationsecondaryProfessional organization where CLC staff present on environmental law trends and practices.
- Indiana University Maurer School of LawcoreHost institution for Conservation Law Clinic; provides law student interns; CLC staff hold faculty positions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Conservation Law Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Center for Biological Diversity: National nonprofit public-interest law organization focused on endangered species, wild places, and biodiversity protection through litigation and policy advocacy—closely aligned with CLC's wildlife and habitat conservation mandate in Indiana.
- Southern Environmental Law Center: Regional public-interest environmental law organization serving southeastern U.S. states with litigation, policy, and advocacy services—directly comparable to CLC's regional model of providing free environmental legal services to conservation organizations and underserved communities.
- Waterkeeper Alliance: Global nonprofit focused on protecting waterways through litigation, advocacy, and community organizing. CLC's Clean Water Indiana program and water policy advocacy directly parallel Waterkeeper's water protection mission.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): One of the largest U.S. environmental advocacy organizations, using legal action, science, and policy to protect natural resources. NRDC is a current CLC partner, and both organizations combine legal advocacy with conservation outcomes.
- Earthjustice: The largest nonprofit public-interest environmental law organization in the U.S., providing free legal representation for environmental cases. CLC is already a partner of Earthjustice, and both organizations share a pro bono legal services model for conservation and environmental justice clients.
- Environmental Integrity Project: National nonprofit that investigates and litigates environmental violations and advocates for stronger enforcement. CLC lists Environmental Integrity Project as a core partner, reflecting directly comparable missions around environmental accountability and enforcement advocacy.
- Defenders of Wildlife: National nonprofit focused on wildlife and habitat conservation through legal advocacy, policy work, and species protection—closely aligned with CLC's biodiversity and endangered species work, including bat habitat protection efforts in Indiana.
- Environmental Law & Policy Center: Midwest-based public-interest environmental law organization that advocates for clean energy, Great Lakes protection, and environmental justice across states including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin—a structurally comparable regional legal advocate to CLC.
- Earthworks: National nonprofit that uses legal advocacy, policy reform, and community organizing to address environmental harms from mining, fossil fuels, and other extractive industries—shares CLC's advocacy-driven nonprofit model.
Others
- Land Trust Alliance: National umbrella organization supporting the land trust community with policy, education, and resources. While CLC serves many of the same land trust clients as the Alliance, the Alliance operates as an industry association rather than direct legal services provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Conservation Law Center social profiles
Digital presenceConservation Law Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Conservation Law Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Conservation Law Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Conservation Law Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Conservation Law Center
What does Conservation Law Center do?
Conservation Law Center is a 501(c)(3) public-interest environmental law firm that provides free legal services to conservation organizations, land trusts, and underserved communities in Indiana. The firm delivers pro bono representation, nonprofit governance counsel, conservation easement drafting, and policy advocacy focused on water quality, land conservation, biodiversity, public trust doctrine, and environmental justice. It also trains law students through the Conservation Law Clinic at Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
Is Conservation Law Center a public or private company?
Conservation Law Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Conservation Law Center founded?
Conservation Law Center was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Conservation Law Center based?
Conservation Law Center is headquartered in Bloomington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Conservation Law Center make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are pro Bono Legal Services.
Who are Conservation Law Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Center for Biological Diversity, Southern Environmental Law Center, Waterkeeper Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Earthjustice, Environmental Integrity Project, Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Law & Policy Center and Earthworks. Land Trust Alliance is listed as an others.
Does Conservation Law Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Conservation Law Center.
What industry is Conservation Law Center in?
Conservation Law Center's product category is Environmental Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAAAO, Environmental & Energy Law, with a secondary code of AFAMAMAH, Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 541110 and its SIC code is 8111.