Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, Esq. is President & CEO of CropLife America (Arlington, VA). She has over 30 years of experience practicing, teaching and writing in the environmental law, agricultural law, and policy sectors. At CropLife America, she leads the U.S. pesticide industry in advocating for sound and science-based policies, laws, and regulations that allow innovative tools to reach American farmers and advance productive crops and abundant food supply for the U.S. and other nations. Prior to joining CropLife America in March 2024, Ms. Dunn served as a Partner in the Environment, Safety, and Incident Response group at the international law firm of Baker Botts from 2021 to 2024, and as the unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate official responsible for chemical and pesticide regulation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2019-2021. Other past roles include serving as the EPA Region One Administrator, Executive Director of the Environmental Council of the States, and Dean of Environmental Law Programs at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Ms. Dunn is an active member of both the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources, and the Environmental Law Institute, having served as Chair and on the Board of each, respectively.
Work Phone:
202-872-3850
Email:
adunn@croplifeamerica.org
Website:
www.croplifeamerica.org
EPA Region:
Region 3 – (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV & 7 federally recognized tribes)
Regent status:
Board of Regents
Year of induction:
2015
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:
New York (2008)
D.C. (1995)
MD (1994)
Court Admissions:
U.S. Supreme Court
State Bar of Maryland
State Bar of New York
District of Columbia Bar
Professional Societies and Organizations:
Past Chair and active member, ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
Former Board Member, Environmental Law Institute & Member of ELI Leadership Council
Other Environmental Career Experience:
Partner, Baker Botts, 2021-2024
Assistant Administrator of the U.S. EPA, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (2019-2021)
Region 1 Administrator, U.S. EPA (2018-2019)
Executive Director and General Counsel of the Environmental Council of the States (2014-2018)
Executive Director and General Counsel of the Association of Clean Water Administrators (2010-2014)
Dean of Environmental Law Programs, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University (2007-2010)
General Counsel of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (2001-2007)
Counsel at the American Chemistry Council (1997-2001)
Associate, Winston & Strawn (1994-1997)
Representative Publications:
At the Intersection of Environmental Justice and Sustainability Lies a More Equitable, Healthy Future for U.S. Communities, UM KC Law Review, Volume 92 Issue 4 (Summer 2024)
Building on Community Connections to Foster Environmental Justice, AWWA Journal (March 2024)
Inclusiveness Advancing Environmental Justice in a Diverse Democracy, The ABA Judges' Journal (December 2023)
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)
California Proposes Updates to Environmental Justice Tool CalEnviroScreen,
1 March 2021, Baker Botts.
Proactive PFAS Strategies Top 3 List, 22 February 2021, Baker Botts.
Recent Actions Signal Significant Chemical Risk Assessment Changes at EPA, 17 February 2021, Baker Botts.
The Power of 10, The Hill, 19 January 2021.
Publicly Owned Treatment Works, chapter in CLEAN WATER ACT HANDBOOK (ABA 2018) (w.Gardner-Andrews, Waters)
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)
Illustrative Projects:
Settled enforcement case in Chesapeake Bay, MD involving water and air quality allegations.
Representing global food company in significant litigation concerning water discharges in MD.
National PFAS counsel for major petroleum company.
Led EPA-wide initiatives focused on environmental justice, community revitalization, and risk communication.
Worked with EPA scientists to review and register over 500 products for use against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, approving the use of novel products that provide long-lasting disinfection against SARS-CoV-2, and partnered with pesticide industry leaders and retailers to address critical broken links in the disinfectant supply chain and to help stop fraudulent claims.
Established a regulatory framework for the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which comprehensively overhauled the laws governing the manufacture, import, and use of chemicals.
Worked with over 15 Superfund sites via negotiation and infrastructure and economic development investment.
Steered the first new Endangered Species Act assessment methodologies in over two decades and oversaw their application to five pesticides of importance to agriculture.
Managed complex multi-party negotiations and delivered strategic litigation support for over 35 lawsuits brought against the EPA on cutting-edge chemical and pesticide issues.
Developed interactive online benchmarking tool for state environmental progress.
Worked with major municipalities and cities across the nation on stormwater management and infrastructure advancement.
Citations of Major Published Cases:
Represented parties, intervenors, or amicus in over 50 environmental cases, including
National Assn of Home Builders v. Defenders of Wildlife, 549 U.S. 1105 (2007)
South Florida Water Management District v. Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, 541 U.S. 95 (2004)
Whitman v. American Trucking Associations, Inc. et al., 531 U.S. 457 (2001)
Appalachian Power Co. v. EPA, 208 F.3d 1015 (D.C. Cir. 2000)