Jim Noles
Jim Noles has joined the faculty in the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) to spearhead the development of a minor in Environmental Law, a program designed to equip students with legal knowledge in the evolving field of environmental policy and law. With decades of experience spanning military service, private practice and academia, Noles brings a dynamic perspective to Auburn.
Raised as a United States “Army brat,” Noles moved frequently across the U.S., Germany and the Middle East before settling in Birmingham, Alabama, where he has resided for 27 years. Noles graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s degree in international history. His transition into law began at the University of Texas School of Law, which led to a career at a regional law firm before cofounding his own practice.
“Like it or not, issues of environmental law touch on literally every discipline and profession encompassed by the CFWE,” Noles said. “If our students are educated in environmental law, I hope that they will know the issues to consider, the questions to ask and the mistakes to avoid, whether they are engaged in forestry, wildlife management, the natural resources field or the parks and recreation profession.”
Noles’ career and curricula
Noles did not initially plan to specialize in environmental law, but a clerkship during law school with a firm known for its expertise in the field sparked his interest.
“Its practice encompassed all sorts of interesting aspects of law and public policy, and I really came to enjoy it and to appreciate the various challenging opportunities to help our clients,” he said.
The CFWE’s Environmental Law minor aims to provide students with a solid foundation in environmental regulations and policies, preparing them for careers in environmental management and protection, natural resources and sustainable development.
The curriculum includes two core courses: Environmental Law and Property Law along with three additional courses from a list of restricted electives. Currently, Noles teaches Environmental Law and Property Law.
A graduate certificate in Environmental Law is also in the planning stages. This program would arm postgraduate students with a greater understanding of environmental law and policy to advance their knowledge and career opportunities.
Noles expresses his teaching philosophy focuses on organization, real-world applications and student engagement. He incorporates current events into lectures and assignments while also trying to find ways to interact personally with his students, even in online courses.
Janaki Alavalapati, the Emmett F. Thompson Dean of the CFWE, echoes Noles’ passion for student impact and reinforces his fit within in the new Environmental Law minor program.
“Jim’s drive to instill confidence and knowledge in others, as well as his decorated qualifications, makes him a perfect pioneer for this new program,” Alavalapati said. “We are excited to see what he will do with this opportunity and the many future careers that will benefit from his instruction.”
Looking to the future
Enthusiastic about his new role, Noles views Auburn as a place of collaboration and opportunity.
“It’s exciting to be working with Dean Alavalapati along with his faculty and staff,” Noles said. “It is clear they have an ambition for the CFWE that will take it to the next level.”
Noles encourages students to fully engage with the minor, emphasizing the importance of active participation. With only a handful of environmental law minors offered at universities nationwide, Noles hopes Auburn students recognize the unique opportunity before them.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues and the students in the college,” he said. “It really does seem to be an awesome community.”
