Alexandra Dapolito Dunn
Before CropLife, Alex was a Partner from 2021-2024 in the Environmental, Safety and Incident Response group at the global law firm Baker Botts, where she was Chambers ranked.
She has years of risk communication experience, refined following unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate in 2019 to lead U.S. EPA’s office for chemical safety and pollution prevention. Previously she was Regional Administrator for EPA Region 1 (18-20), working with the New England states and 10 federally recognized tribes.
Alex’s passion for policy comes from roles as Executive Director & General Counsel of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) from 2014-2018, & the Association of Clean Water Administrators from 2010-2014.
She is admitted in DC, MD, NY, VA, the U.S. Supreme Court, & federal courts. Her dedication to teaching is deep. She was a 22-23 Lecturer in Law, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America (CUA) (Environmental Justice) & a 23-24 Professorial Lecturer in Law, George Washington University School of Law (Advanced Topics in Environmental Law). Prior, she was Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Adjunct Professor of Law (Environmental Justice, Human Rights & Environment) at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She also taught at American Law.
Dedicated to advancing the profession, Dunn is past Chair of and a current leader in ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; served ABA’s Task Force on Sustainable Development (11-14); is on the Leadership Council of the Environmental Law Institute and past Board Member; and an American Bar Foundation Fellow.
Other roles include General Counsel of National Association of Clean Water Agencies; counsel to American Chemistry Council; and Winston & Strawn.
Degrees
- B.A. cum laude, James Madison University, VA (Political Science & French) (1989)
- J.D., magna cum laude, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America (1994)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New York
- Virginia
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court and federal courtsProfessional Societies and Organizations
- Environmental Law Institute (ELI), Leadership Council (2021-present), Board (2012-2018)
- ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Nominations and Awards Committees (2023-present), leadership roles from 1996 to present, including Section Chair (2013-2014)
Representative Publications (not including ACOEL Blogs)
- At the Intersection of Environmental Justice and Sustainability Lies a More Equitable, Healthy Future for U.S. Communities, 92 UMKC L. Rev. 773 (2024)
- Building on Community Connections to Foster Environmental Justice, AWWA Journal (March 2024)
- The Everywhere Chemicals, ELI Environmental Forum (Jan./Feb. 2023)
- Firefighting and Forever Chemicals, 37 NR&E 34 (Fall 2022) (w/Ferrell)
- Meeting the Environmental Justice Moment, EM MAG. (Feb. 2022)
- The Business of Water, 47 ELR 10004 (2017) (w/Panelists)
- The Lawyers’ Role in Representing Communities, chapter in ETHICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE (ABA 2017) (w/Heineken)
- The Price of Reform: Models for Financing a Toxic Substances Control Act 2.0, 45 ELR 10405 (2015) (w/Panelists)
- Reflections on the Role of States in the U.S. Regulatory System, 32 PACE ENVTL. L. REV. 435 (2015) (w/Culleen)
- Advancing the Environmental Rule of Law, 21 SW. J. INT'L L. 283 (2015) (w/Stillman)
- Perspectives to Reinvigorate Clean Water Act Cooperative Federalism, 4 GEO. WASH. J. ENERGY & ENVTL. L. 68 (2013) (w/Boian)
- Environmental Justice in Permitting: State Innovations, 81 MISS. L. J. 747 (2012) (w/Weiss).
