Welcome from the ACOEL President
Welcome to the website of the American College of Environmental Lawyers. Our College is a vibrant association of lawyers dedicated to improving the ethical practice of environmental law, the administration of justice, and the development of environmental law. We provide a forum to collaboratively discuss environmental issues and examine ways to make laws more effective in protecting the natural world and all members of society. The College analyzes potential improvements to environmental laws and policies, and – where feasible – it develops consensus recommendations for paths forward.
As I consider our membership, I think we are quite a crowd. Top of the top. Passionate and driven. Diverse and committed to service. Ready to give back. We are environmental lawyers. Think about it. What a gift to work in this field.
We advise and counsel. We argue – persuasively and thoughtfully. We question. We challenge what is wrong and we advocate for what is right and we are all focused in so many different ways on protecting this incredible planet and its natural resources.
We work in states, in tribal nations, in small towns, and in enormous cities. We work at the federal and global level. Some of us work on the air, others the water, or the land, energy, oceans, species, on communities, on food systems, and most of us on the intersection of our human needs and the resources we have. Many of us are professors teaching the next generation – full-time or part-time. We are committed to the next generation.
In my year as president, I would like to work with all of you to raise the external profile of the College and our work. We have so many wonderful writers on our blog, exceptional speakers, dynamic connections. This past year we passed our first policy resolution. Having worked for several years on our mentorship program, and Co-Chairing the Outreach Committee, I know when we make connections we elevate our game and other entities are pleased to get to know us and to collaborate with us. We will find the right opportunities to shine our light outward, and we will have some new tools to use to do this. One of them is a new website, which will be ready at the end of 2025.
I also want to focus on enhancing the level of service that the College provides to the Fellows. We surveyed our Fellows, and it was clear that they are looking for ways to connect with one another, to share ideas, and to network. We will be in a position to do this even better than ever before with our new member tool which will allow us to create interest groups and chat spaces, as well as to more easily find Fellows in our areas of interest.
You have my commitment that I will work hard for this College every day. I am passionate about it. I see this role as one of service to our Fellows and of service to the College’s mission. I look forward to offering you in the coming year, a wonderful, meaningful, and rewarding experience.
Alexandra Dunn
President, American College of Environmental Lawyers
President & CEO, CropLife America (Arlington, VA)
Click here to read Ms. Dunn’s acceptance remarks from the 2025 Annual Meeting in Boston.