Professor Joins the Prestigious American College of Environmental Lawyers

Jeffrey Bain Law Scholar and Professor of Law Melissa Powers ’01 has been named as one of the newest members of The American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL). Membership in the College is by invitation, and members are recognized by their peers as preeminent in their field.

“Each individual in the ACOEL’s Class of 2022 was selected for their distinguished experience, high standards of practice, and substantial contributions to the field of environmental law,” noted the ACOEL announcement. ACOEL members are dedicated to maintaining and improving the ethical practice of environmental law, the administration of justice, and the development of environmental law through rigorous focus, outreach and education in all forums — federal, state, municipal, tribal and international.

ACOEL’s President, Michael D. Hockley of Spencer Fane LLP, said “Our new Fellows are among the very best practitioners of environmental law in the country. Collectively, they represent a tremendous depth, breadth, and diversity of experience. We are pleased to welcome them to the College on the basis of their career achievements and thought leadership.”

Powers is the fourth Oregonian and the first Oregon-based law professor to be named to the august group. She joins new members who represent environmental protection organizations, government, and law firms.

Melissa Powers is an alum of Lewis & Clark Law School and joined the faculty in 2003. In 2014-2015, Melissa was a Fulbright-Schuman Scholar researching Denmark and Spain’s renewable energy laws. Melissa is also the founder and faculty director of the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School, an organization that designs policies to transition to a zero-carbon energy system.

Powers teaches climate change law, electricity regulation, renewable energy law, the Clean Air Act, administrative law, and torts. She received the Leo Levinson Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2012. Her research focuses on energy reform, climate change mitigation, and pollution control. She is a co-author of the books Climate Change and the Law and Principles of Environmental Law, and several articles and book chapters focused on climate and energy law.