The University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic will receive the 2012 Award for Distinguished Achievement in Environmental Law and Policy from the American Bar Association for its outstanding work in advancing environmental justice and the goals of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act in Maryland. The award will be presented by the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources at a ceremony and reception on Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Westin River North during the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago.
The Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law — the largest provider of pro bono environmental representation in the state — works to improve and enforce environmental laws and regulations at the regional, state and national levels. Clinic clients include nonprofits working for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and clean air for Marylanders, and a civic association fighting air pollution in a low-income, minority community.
The award will recognize the law clinic’s pro bono work; its zealous championing of the state’s air, waterways and species; and its tireless efforts to advance environmental interests in the legislature, the courts and with administrative agencies while maintaining high standards and dedication to training a new generation of environmental lawyers and battling political challenges.
The clinic’s recognition includes its unflagging efforts in representing Assateague Coastkeeper, an environmental citizens group, which sued Perdue Farms and one of its local poultry growers for allegedly polluting the Chesapeake Bay, a violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
Its efforts to advance environmental interests in the state legislature include successfully lobbying for the passage the Standing-Miscellaneous Environmental Protection Proceedings and Judicial Review Act. Passage of the act brought Maryland into parity with 44 other states and federal laws to allow attorneys general to enforce environmental laws.
The award recognizes organizations, programs or individuals who have distinguished themselves in environmental law and policy by contributing significant leadership in improving the substance, process or understanding of environmental protection and sustainable development.
The ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources is the premier forum for strategies and information for environmental, energy and resource lawyers. Representing more than 11,000 members with a wide range of professional interests, the section keeps its members abreast of development trends, current court decisions, legislative initiatives and statutes concerning environmental, natural resources and energy law.
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