Kalla Hirschbein
Kalla is a May 2011 graduate and an attorney and policy advisor at the Institute for Fisheries Resources. Her first job out of college was conducting legal research for National Resource Defense Council to save the San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico. It’s one of the few places gray whales go to calf, and Mitsubishi proposed a huge salt plant that would have destroyed it. She participated in one of the first internet campaigns for an environmental cause and the United Nations declared San Ignacio Lagoon a World Heritage site. She was inspired to see the place she helped save when she and her mom drove down to see the whales a few years ago. Kalla also worked for other nonprofits, mostly in the environmental field, ranging from local small grassroots organizations to national groups including Planned Parenthood. Although she loved working for nonprofits, she decided to go to law school out of her desire to be the one to get things done, rather than merely funding it as her work entailed prior to law school.
While in law school, Kalla spent two years on the Environmental Law Journal. She spent her 1L summer interning with San Diego Coastkeeper. During her 2L summer, she studied international environmental law in Costa Rica.
The ocean is Kalla’s greatest source of motivation as she works towards a career in public interest. She grew up in San Diego going to the beach and tidepools. She has been scuba diving for 14 years and lives to travel to dive spots. Seeing how much the habitat has declined has been very depressing but also has made her more determined. In addition, through her recent work for a nonprofit representing small commercial fisherman she has become acquainted with a number of people who depend on the ecosystem for their livelihoods. She is motivated to do everything she can to help them continue to fish.
Kalla advises her fellow law students to be persistent and assertive with what you want to do, especially regarding jobs and internships. If you get turned down, follow up and take them for coffee. Eventually you will find a position. It is also extremely beneficial to get to know your professors.
Interviewer: Alexandra Baraff is a 2L student and an Environmental Law Scholar. Last summer, she served as a legal intern at Tri-Valley Communities Against a Radioactive Environment (CARE). Currently, she is interning in Kalla's office, the Institute for Fisheries Resources.
