Environmental Law Community Celebrates Distinguished Visitor and Graduates
The Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy Law program at Lewis & Clark Law School recently hosted its 38th Annual Distinguished Visitor and Graduates event. The event brings an authoritative guest speaker to campus and honors environmental law graduates.
October 06, 2026
Professor Robin Kundis Craig, JD ’96, 2026 Distinguished Visitor
More than 130 people joined Lewis & Clark Law School in person and online on September 30 for the 38th Annual Environmental Law Distinguished Visitor and Graduates Event, an evening celebrating environmental law scholarship, alumni achievement, and the next generation of environmental advocates.
Hosted by the Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Program, the annual event featured Professor Robin Kundis Craig, JD ’96, as this year’s Distinguished Environmental Visitor. Craig presented her lecture: “Food Security and Resilient Ecosystems: Marine Aquaculture for the Anthropocene,” exploring the connections among food security, marine ecosystems, and environmental law.
Craig’s lecture examined the opportunities and challenges presented by marine aquaculture and the role thoughtful environmental regulation can play in supporting both food security and healthy, resilient ocean ecosystems. The event offered students, alumni, faculty, and members of the broader community an opportunity to engage with Craig’s scholarship and perspectives on emerging environmental issues.
L-R: Paul Conable, JD ’97, Prof Craig Johnston, Prof Lisa Benjamin, Prof Melissa Powers, Marc Fink, JD ’95, Chris Gunn, JD ’11, Prof Robin Kundis Craig, JD ’96, Prof Dan Rohlf, Assistant Dean Courtney Johnson, Prof Bill Funk, 2016 distinguished graduate Jeff Litwak, JD ’97
The evening also recognized five Distinguished Environmental Law Graduates whose careers reflect the breadth of the field: Chris Gunn, JD ’11; Bubba Cook, JD ’03; Paul Conable, JD ’97; Marc Fink, JD ’95; and Oday Salim, LLM ’09. Their work spans energy policy, fisheries conservation, environmental litigation, public lands, and environmental justice.
Tory Dille ’26 was also honored as the 2026 Williamson Award recipient. The award recognizes a graduating student for outstanding contributions to environmental law and the Lewis & Clark environmental law community.
For those unable to attend, a recording of the event is available online, offering an opportunity to hear Craig’s lecture and learn more about this year’s honorees.
The American Bar Association’s resource on teaching sustainable development and climate change includes two papers authored by law Professors Erica Lyman & EIC Director Dr. Gregg Macey.
Are you considering law school? Join us at free Lewis & Clark Law School’s Open House on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn all about the application process, financial aid options, and what it’s like to be a law student. You’ll have the chance to hear from current students, alumni, and faculty during Q&A panels, plus take an optional tour of our beautiful campus.
MSL alum Nick Thierry, MSL ’24, is using his background in environmental advocacy to help communities better understand the environmental and health risks associated with where they live. Through his new business, FrontDoorFax, Thierry aims to make environmental information more accessible and empower people to advocate for healthier homes and neighborhoods.