Rachel Briggs

Name: Rachel Briggs – Summer Associate
School: Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
What brought you to Crag?: Prior to law school, I worked as a grassroots organizer for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. I loved the work and the issues, but decided a legal education could help me to be a more effective advocate. Crag seemed like the perfect place to bridge the two: to get legal experience working on issues I care about while also seeing how that legal work can relate to and support community organizing efforts.
What are your legal interests?: I am interested in public interest environmental law, especially regarding public lands and water rights.
Favorite Place in the PNW: So many wonderful places, and so much yet to explore! I am always appreciative of Tryon Creek State Park, which abuts the Lewis & Clark Law School campus in Portland; it is incredible to be able to walk out of the library and directly into a lush forest.
Favorite Book: Impossible question; there are too many I love! Jane Austen’s Emma has always been a favorite, though.
Favorite Quote: “To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.”—Terry Tempest Williams

Jordan Bollmann

Name: Jordan Bollmann – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown: Marysville, Ohio
What brought you to Crag? I am currently participating in a program called Duke Engage. Several other students and I have traveled here to work in environmental justice and sustainability. I particularly am interested in environmental justice as a possible future career and I find an acute passion in working on behalf of the Earth, which cannot speak for itself, so I hope that my time with Crag this summer will provide helpful insight into my interests for a possible career.
What are your legal/environmental interests? The environmental consequences of dam construction, water policy, and sustainable timber practices
Favorite place in the PNW: I have only just arrived here, but Mt. Hood looks to be an enchanting place
Favorite Book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Favorite Quote: “Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” –Les Brown

Name: David Edelman – High School Intern
School: Catlin Gabel School – High School Intern
Hometown: Right here in Portland
What brought you to Crag? I’ve been a member of my school’s Mock Trial team for the past three years, which really sparked my interest in law. Crag seemed like a great place to gain some hands-on experience and learn more about legal work.
What are your legal/environmental interests? The intersection of politics and the law fascinates me. It’s sometimes exciting, sometimes disheartening, but never boring.
Favorite place in the PNW: Anywhere I can pick native wild berries. Salmonberries, thimbleberries, blackberries, huckleberries, Oregon-grape, salal—they’re all great.
Favorite Book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Favorite Quote: “In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.” —Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

James Fraser

Name: James Fraser – Summer Associate
School: Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Barrington, IL
What brought you to Crag?: Before law school I worked as a fisheries researcher, studying cutthroat trout. I went to law school to work on fish and water issues from the law and policy angle. Crag is a key player in representing conservation interests in these issues, and I’m excited because this is my first experience working in environmental litigation.
What are your legal interests?: Water law, fish issues, public lands, land use, and conservation easements.
Favorite place in the PNW: A certain steelhead stream on Oregon’s North Coast
Favorite Book: The River Why by David James Duncan
Favorite Quote: “Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” – Norman Maclean

Jaclyn Hise

Name: Jaclyn Hise – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon Law School
Hometown: Big Spring, Texas
What brought you to Crag? Once I started law school at the University of Oregon, I was told about Crag Law Center and its reputation of being the best public interest environmental law organization. I wanted to learn from the best this summer at the Crag Law Center and its inclusiveness of a variety of environmental law issues attracted me including environmental justice, endangered species protection, and climate change.
What are your environmental/legal interests? I’m interested in environmental and animal law. I’m interested in wildlife and the protection of their habitat. I’m also concerned with fossil fuel extraction, transportation, and the effect it has overall on the planet.
Favorite place in the PNW: The Umpqua National Forest, Elliott State Forest, and Loon Lake.
Favorite book: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring or Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique
Favorite quote: “Never give up, never surrender!”

Sid Hariharan

Name: Sid Hariharan – Summer Associate
School: Willamette University College of Law
Hometown: Oakville, ON, Canada
What Brought you to Crag?: After taking a land use class in law school, I gained great interest in the Oregon land use system. Crag offers a great opportunity for hands-on work in land use and related fields which is difficult to get while still a student. Another factor that drew me to Crag was the staff. The staff at Crag is very personable and extremely dedicated to their work.
What are your legal interests?: I’m especially interested in land use litigation dealing with development and existing landowners.
Favorite Place in the PNW: Crater Lake (in the Winter), any swimming hole and Centurylink Field
Favorite Book: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Favorite Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – – Wayne Gretzky

Name: Linda Jue – Volunteer (Office Support – Year Round)
Education/Professional Background:  AA Degree in Human Services.  Retired from a County Mental Health Department where I held the positions of Coordinator of Drug Prevention and Treatment Services and Public Information Officer for the department.
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
What brought you to Crag?:  Attended a fundraiser and was impressed with the work being done.
Environmental/legal interests:  Protection of the environment.  I have a deep love of Alaska and was happy that Crag has worked on issues there.
Favorite place in the PNW: My heart belongs to Alaska.
Favorite book:  War and Peace
Favorite quote:  “Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant with the weak and wrong. Sometime in your life, you will have been all of these.”  Gautama Buddha

Stewart Vargas-Sosa

Name: Stewart Vargas-Sosa – Summer Associate
School: University of Florida Levin College of Law
Hometown: Orlando, FL
What brought you to Crag?: I came to Crag because I wanted to establish a connection to the PNW since I am considering relocating to the area upon graduating from law school. I chose Crag in particular because of the great environmental law work that the organization does throughout the region.
What are your legal interests?: I am mostly interested in environmental, land-use, and real estate law.
Favorite place in the PNW: I really enjoyed the drive into Portland on I-84, which takes you on an incredible journey through the Columbia River Gorge for miles and miles. It is truly an awesome sight to see.
Favorite Book: Meditations by  Marcus Aurelius.
Favorite Quote: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”

Lindsey Zimmer

Name: Lindsey Zimmer – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
What brought you to Crag? I am interested in pursuing a law degree after undergraduate and Crag for me is a perfect opportunity to discover both environmental law and learn more about non-profits. I am participating in a program called Duke Engage giving me the chance to advocate for the environment and work with non-profits. I am hoping my summer here will help me determine what I want to do in my future.
What are your environmental/legal interests? I am studying environmental science and policy with a minor in global health. I am interested in environmental justice and human rights law.
Favorite place in the PNW: This is my first time in the PNW, but I am sure by the end of the summer I will have an entire list of places.
Favorite book: Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Favorite quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kevin Armonio

Name: Kevin Armonio – Summer  Associate
School: University of California, Hastings College of the Law
Hometown: Fremont, CA
What brought you to Crag?: Entering law school I knew I wanted to practice public interest environmental law, particularly environmental litigation. I came to Portland for the first time last summer and instantly fell in love with the area. After doing research on environmental law opportunities I found Crag. Crag presented me with the perfect opportunity to do meaningful environmental law work in Portland.
What are your legal interests?: I’m interested in all branches of environmental law and environmental policy. However, coming from California I’m interested in water law, and because of the projects I’ve been working on I’m becoming more interested in land use law.
Favorite place in the PNW?: I have only been in the Pacific-Northwest for a few weeks so I’m having a wonderful time trying to find a favorite place here.
Favorite Book: Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Favorite quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney

Laura Bachmann

Name: Laura Bachmann – Summer Associate
School: University of Wisconsin Law School
Hometown: Sheboygan, WI
What brought you to Crag?: I knew I wanted to do environmental law this summer, and I knew I wanted to try out a new city I hadn’t been to before. Since I’m from the midwest and have lived on the east coast, I opted for the Pacific Northwest and found Crag.
What are your legal interests?: I’m obviously interested in environmental law. Beyond that, I’m also interested in international law and human rights. I have taken part in international law-related courses, journal, and moot court at the law school. Last fall, I even took a course specifically about the intersection between human rights law and international environmental law.
Favorite place in the PNW?: You’ll have to ask again at the end of the summer since this is my first time to the PNW.
Favorite Book: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Favorite quote: “vivamus mea lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis” — Catullus, carmen 5

Becca Fischer

Name:  Becca Fischer – Summer Associate; Legal Extern
School: Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Billings, Montana
What brought you to Crag? I learned about Crag’s work as the law clerk for the Northwest Environmental Defense Center.  I was excited to hear that Crag represented organizations and citizens at the grassroots level on current environmental issues such as coal and oil and gas exports.  I hope to work in the public interest environmental law field after law school, and Crag is the perfect way to get hands-on experience in this area.
What are your legal interests?  I came to law school to study water resources and energy issues.  But, I am finding that I enjoy all aspects of environmental law.
Favorite place in the PNW: Any swimming hole!  One of my favorites is Three Pools near Salem.
Favorite book: Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
Favorite quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien

Tim Fitchett

Name: Tim Fitchett – Summer Associate
School: Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Portland, OR
What brought you to Crag?: I first learned about Crag while volunteering with Friends of the Columbia Gorge before entering law school. I pretty much went into law school to do public interest environmental work, so Crag has always seemed like the perfect fit.  I’ve wanted to help out with the work that the organization does to protect the Pacific Northwest for a long time, and feel incredibly lucky to be here!
What are your legal interests?: I am particularly interested in climate change, wildlife, and land-use law.
Favorite place in the PNW: I have a particular affinity for the hiking trails in the Columbia River Gorge.
Favorite book: The Dune series by Frank Herbert
Favorite quote: “To help another person, one must first understand that person. But to understand another, one must first understand yourself. Focus and learn. Develop the courage, the clarity, and the sensitivity to apply the right pressure, in the right place, at the right time. Then act.” paraphrased from Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

Emily Hajarizadeh

Name: Emily Hajarizadeh – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon
Hometown: Portland, OR
What brought you to Crag? I learned about Crag’s mission while volunteering for the non-profit environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper on the “Dirty Coal” and “Oil-by-Rail” campaigns.  Working with local communities alerted me to the complex and fascinating role of the legal system in environmental management.
What are your environmental/legal interests?  Land-Use Law, Zoning, Water Law, and Negotiations.  Advancing sustainability initiatives within the growing urban landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Favorite place in the PNW? The “Dead Forest” – Waldo Lake, OR.  In 1996, a raging forest fire consumed the lakeside forest on the NE shore.  Nearly twenty years later, a creaking, bleached canopy continues to stand in remembrance of the lush, old growth forest it once had been.  The eerie quiet of the forest yields hidden treasures if you’re careful to keep your eyes alert. Successional plants such as native mountain blueberries, huckleberries, and chamomile cover the scorched, nutrient-rich forest floor and provide food for the chipmunks, birds, and peckish hikers passing through.
Favorite book:  Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums (1958)
Favorite quote: “There is no Space or Time Only intensity, And tame things Have no immensity”  – Mina Loy



Name: Sona Mohnot – Legal Extern
Education: LL.M in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: New Orleans
What brought you to Crag?: I am new to the Northwest and I want to learn as much as I can about environmental concerns in the region. Crag focuses on such a variety of environmental issues so it seemed like the perfect fit. Office dogs are a huge plus as well!
What are your environmental/legal interests?:  Wildlife law and biodiversity, water law, environmental justice, federal Indian law, constitutional law
Favorite place in the PNW?: San Juan Island
Favorite book: Catch-22
Favorite quote: “Sin and love and fear are just sounds that people who never sinned nor loved nor feared have for what they never had and cannot have until they forget the words” – William Faulkner

Name: Kady J. Tucker – Postgraduate Intern (Development)
Education: BA in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara
Hometown: Carmel Valley/Laguna Beach, California
What brought you to Crag?: I first heard about Crag through their work protecting salmon habitats along the Rogue River from mining pollution. I came here because Crag’s work aligns with my goals to protect the natural resources I get so much joy out of exploring.
What are your environmental/legal interests?:  I am most interested in land use and zoning law. I hope to gain more knowledge on the topic through my time with Crag, and am slowly surrendering to the pull I feel toward law school.
Favorite place in the PNW?: Oh, well this is very difficult for me. I will have to say that so far my favorite place has been the top of Mt. St. Helens in Winter. Seeing the steam rising, the jagged features of the mouth, and the neighboring snow-capped Cascades mountains from that perspective was a humbling experience.
Favorite book: The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Milan Kundera
Favorite quote: To him, all good things—trout as well as eternal salvation—come by grace. And grace, comes by art, And art does not come easy. ~ Norman Maclean A River Runs Through It

Name: McKenna Ganz – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
What brought you to Crag?:  I’m participating in a program called DukeEngage.  I and nine other Duke students are working at different organizations around Portland to learn about sustainability and environmental advocacy.  I’m extremely excited about my placement at Crag because of my interests in law and environmental justice.
What are your legal interests?:  I’m especially interested in civil rights, human rights, and environmental justice.  I want to learn about the ways that environmental issues impact different groups of people, and how they can be helped through the legal system.
Favorite place in the PNW?:  I haven’t had a chance yet to see much of the area!  So far I really love downtown Portland, but I’m excited to visit Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood
Favorite book: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Favorite quote:  “If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark.  Dark would be without meaning.” – C.S. Lewis

Name: Will Carlon – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon School of Law
Hometown: Chico, CA
What brought you to Crag?: After working with Crag on a timber sale case, I knew I wanted to work with the organization.  Crag was highly recommended by classmates and environmental attorneys in Eugene.  I was also particularly interested in environmental litigation and wanted to experience it firsthand.
What are your legal interests?: I am primarily interested in issues involving water law and protecting wild spaces.
Favorite place in the PNW?: I am relatively new to the area, but my favorite place so far is Smith Rock.
Favorite Book: East of Eden
Favorite quote: “Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.” ~Wendell Berry

Erin Elliott

Name: Erin Elliott – DukeEngage Intern

School: Duke University

Hometown: Roanoke, VA

What brought you to Crag?: I’m here with the DukeEngage – Portland program.  The other participants and I are volunteering and working with different environmental organizations around the city.  I chose to work with Crag because I thought it would provide a great introduction to environmental law and perhaps help me narrow down what I want to do in the future.

What are your academic interests?:  I’m majoring in biology and have a particular interest in marine biology, with an environmental science and policy minor.

Favorite place in the PNW?: This is my first time in this area and I’ve only been here for a week so far, but I love downtown Portland and am excited to explore the surrounding areas.

Favorite book: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Favorite quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Name: Sean Galvin – Undergraduate Intern
School: University of Portland
Hometown: Anchorage, AK
What brought you to Crag?: I wanted to acquire some hands-on experience at a law firm and needed to fill up some spaces in my schedule. My advisor and mentor Dr. Bill Barnes recommended that I look into Crag. After reading about the work Crag does on the website I knew I wanted to get involved and help out.
What are your legal interests?: I am not really sure yet. I am hoping to narrow it down more after this experience.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: I have mostly only been in Portland, and I love it here!
Favorite book: Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Favorite Quote: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step out onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” -J.R.R. Tolkien


Name: Kelsey Skaggs – Summer Associate
School: Harvard Law School
Hometown: Juneau, Alaska
What brought you to Crag?: I first learned about Crag through their atmospheric trust litigation regarding climate change. I came here because Crag’s work includes a variety of projects over an interesting geographic range and furthers goals that are important to me.
What are your legal interests?: Climate justice, ocean and wilderness conservation, international law, publishing and journalism, civil rights.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: The West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness in Southeast Alaska
Favorite book: Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins
Favorite quote: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ~ Anaïs Nin

Name: Alexandria Zafonte – Summer Associate
School: Vermont Law School
Hometown: Garden City, NY
What brought you to Crag? I wanted to help protect the environment and explore the West.
What are your legal interests? Environmental Law, Land Use, Civil Rights
Favorite pastime: Hiking, playing outside, reading, and drawing/painting.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Haven’t found it yet.
Favorite Book: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Favorite Quote: “I’d rather be up on deck in a bad storm, than down below puking on myself.” -Ralph Bloemers, his philosophy of fighting for the environment in the face of increasingly dire information regarding the health of the planet.

Name: Josh Berg – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown: New City, NY
What brought you to Crag?: I would like to attend law school after college and have a strong interest in protecting our natural environment and our last few truly wild spaces.  I am here with a program called Duke Engage which funds undergraduate internships at non-profit organizations.
What are your legal/academic interests?: I am currently an Environmental Studies and Policy major and am very interested in renewable energy development.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Anchorage, AK –  Serves as the last taste of civilization for those headed on into the woods.
Favorite quote(s):“I don’t want to push my chips forward and go out and meet something I don’t understand. A man would have to put his soul at hazard. He’d have to say, “O.K., I’ll be part of this world.” – No Country for Old Men

“Nobody comes here anymore, its too crowded”- Yogi Berra

Brian Hennes

Name: Brian Hennes – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon School of Law
Hometown: Hilmar, California
What brought you to Crag?: I wanted to gain experience with environmental and natural resource litigation, and I knew from reading about cases that Crag has been involved in that I would be proud to advocate for Crag’s clients and their causes. Also, a classmate of mine at UO Law who worked for Crag last summer said that she had a great experience.
What are your legal interests?: I am most interested in water, wildlife, and forest law.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Rogue River
Favorite Book: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite quote: “If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.” -Chinese proverb

Name: Kara Tebeau – Summer Associate, Legal Extern
School: Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Olympia, WA
What brought you to Crag?: I learned about Crag because of their work representing the Northwest Environmental Defense Center.  When I heard Crag was taking on summer interns, I was excited to seek the opportunity to work with and learn from experts in the field of environmental law. Public interest environmental law is exactly what I want to do “when I grow up,” and I am happy to be here, building my skills.
What are your legal interests?: This year I volunteered with NEDC, writing comments on public lands and wildlife topics, which are my main interests.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Mima Mounds Prairies (South of Oly, WA).
Favorite book: The Little Prince
Favorite quote: When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world. – John Muir
Duration: 2013 – 2015

Nick Whitaker

Name: Nick Whitaker – Summer Associate
School: Seattle University School of Law
Hometown: Buckley, WA
What brought you to Crag?: I was searching for a place to enhance my practical legal skills and do great public interest environmental work.  Crag fit the bill, and they were nice enough to allow me to spend the summer here.
What are your legal interests?: Environmental Law generally.  I’m looking to get a good grasp on our environmental laws in order to put myself in a place to effect needed change in the way our community views and deals with environmental issues going forward.
Favorite Place in the PNW: Almost anywhere in Olympic National Park. Also, Safeco Field and my mom’s house.
Favorite Quote: “I intend to live forever.  So far, so good.”  — Steven Wright

Name: Charlie Blanchard – Duke Engage Intern 
School: Duke University
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
What brought you to Crag?: I’m considering law school and wanted to get some experience working with a law firm. I also am interested in working in the non-profit world and the DukeEngage – Portland program gave me an opportunity to do both.
What are your academic/legal interests?: I’m a History major and Political Science minor potentially interested in law school and non-profit work.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Walla Walla, Washington, where my aunt and uncle owned an alpaca farm
Favorite quote: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” – Mark Twain

Max Brunke

Name: Max Brunke – Law Clerk
School: Vermont Law School
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What brought you to Crag?: I entered law school after working in the field of private land use and development consulting. I wanted to be a better advocate for our shared resources and to shift my focus from the built environment to the natural environment. My work at Crag fulfills that ambition exactly. Crag combines a warm and collaborative culture with the topic areas I find most compelling.
What are your legal interests?: Natural Resources and the Environment
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: 45.939094, -123.990758
Favorite quote: “There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot.” – Aldo Leopold

 

Name: Kelly Damewood – Summer Associate
School: Vermont Law School
Hometown: Plano, Texas
What brought you to Crag?: After I graduated from the University of Portland I ran a small, organic farm on Sauvie’s Island, which in turn inspired me to enter law school.  I chose Vermont Law because it has an awesome environmental law program and a great agriculture community.  However, I dearly missed the Pacific Northwest where I feel truly inspired to be an environmental advocate. Fortunately, Crag brought me back to Portland this summer to work on environmental issues specific to Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
What are your legal interests?: Agriculture and food policy.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: This is tough. The Wildwood trail at Forest Park is probably my most frequented favorite spot in the Pacific NW.
Favorite quote: I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do. -Willa Cather

 

 

Sarah Deans

Name: Sarah Deans – Law Clerk
School: Vermont Law School
Hometown: Nowhere really! I think I’ve moved houses at least 16 times in my life.
What brought you to Crag?: Crag is the kind of firm I’d like to work at after I graduate: a small group of hard-working lawyers practicing public interest environmental law. I also wanted to learn what it was like working in a fast paced litigation firm, and learn how to produce a higher quality work product.
What are your legal interests?: The Clean Water Act and conservation easements
Favorite Place in the Pacific NW: So far Horsetail Falls. It’s close by, has lots of water, and is easy enough for my puppy to hike.
Favorite book: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Favorite quote: “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot.” –Mark Twain

Name: Maura Fahey – Summer Associate

School: Lewis and Clark Law School
Hometown: Chaska, MN

What brought you to Crag?: I am interested in doing environmental non-profit work when I graduate and I was eager to get more experience working with communities around Portland and the Pacific Northwest to protect our natural resources and places.
What are your legal interests?: For the past few years I have been particularly interested in pollution control and protection of water resources; however, my work at Crag has sparked a new area of interest for me in land use law.

Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Trillium Lake on a clear day or at the top of Palmer lift at Timberline looking out at the peaks in the distance.

Favorite book: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

Name: Rachael Lipinski – Summer Associate

Derek Mills

Name: Derek Mills – Law Clerk
School: Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
What brought you to Crag: As an environmental law student in Portland, I was constantly exposed to Crag’s name plastered in various locations; on complaints, in newsletters, on posters. This prompted me to research the organization. I liked what I read on the Crag website and was excited to learn more about the cases that they were working on.
What are your legal interests?: I am extremely interested in the role of the federal government as a regulator of public lands. I hope to get involved with federal environmental policy reform. Along those lines, I have a strong desire to learn more about issues related to natural resources, wildlife, land use, energy law, and Native tribes.
Favorite places in the Pacific NW: McKinley Rock, Broken Top, and Smith Rock so far.
Favorite pastimes: Rock climbing, hiking, and listening to music.
Favorite book: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey.

Greg Mintz

Name: Greg Mintz – Law Clerk
School: University of California, Irvine School of Law
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What brought you to Crag: After graduating from law school in California, I returned to the northwest looking to practice public interest environmental law. I was drawn to Crag Law Center because it offers both a strong public interest mission and the highest quality environmental law practice. I appreciate Crag’s client-based conservation efforts and I very much look forward to working in its livable communities practice area.
What are your legal interests?: I am interested in climate change regulation and adaptation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and environmental justice.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: I hope to visit the San Juan Islands again soon!
Favorite pastimes: Playing music and adventuring.
Favorite book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Scott Hilgenberg

Name: Scott Hilgenberg – Summer Associate
School: Lewis and Clark Law School
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
What brought you to Crag?: During my first year at L & C, I volunteered at NEDC and became aware of the great conservation work that Crag does.  It is inspiring to work with such compassionate attorneys who have a real dedication to the environment.
What are your legal interests?: Environmental law with a focus on water law, International Law, Land Use Planning and Conservation
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Short Sands Beach, Stumptown on Belmont
Favorite quotes: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” -Gandhi “No regrets, that’s my motto. That and everybody Wang Chung tonight.” – Out Cold

Name: Alix Jacobson – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What brought you to Crag: I am considering going to law school so I thought I’d see what the life of a lawyer is really like.  I was given the opportunity to work with Crag through the DukeEngage-Portland program.
What are your academic/legal interests: I am a Biology major with a concentration in Marine Biology.  If I go to law school, I’d like to study environmental law so I can work to protect our oceans.
Favorite Place in the Pacific Northwest: Seward, Alaska
Favorite Quote: “For all at last return to the sea–to Oceanus, the ocean river, like the ever flowing stream of time, the beginning and the end.” -Rachel Carson

Derek Leuzzi

Name: Derek Leuzzi – Summer Associate
School: Gonzaga School of Law
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
What brought you to Crag?: A friend of mine tuned me into the work Crag was doing with her family to help protect the northern slopes of Mt. Hood.  I am drawn to the work that Crag does for the environment and their approach to solving environmental issues.
What are your legal interests?: Environmental justice.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: I do not have a “favorite place” in the PNW because I love too many places way too much, but I am currently most interested in the Pasayten Wilderness in Northern Washington.
Favorite quote/book: “You can’t fall off a mountain.” – Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

Ian McCurdy

Name: Ian McCurdy – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon School of Law
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What brought you to Crag? : I was drawn to the work Crag does with underrepresented communities in Alaska, the Northwest, and California.
What are your legal interests? : My legal interests are varied but I have liked working on Title VI issues so far this summer and on other projects that can be used to help communities in Crag’s project areas.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Glacier Lake in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Favorite book: Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee

Erin Roohan

Name: Erin Roohan – Summer Associate
School: Georgetown University Law Center
Hometown: Rockaway, NY
What brought you to Crag?: The chance to do environmental litigation work in a non-profit environment and the opportunity to explore the Pacific Northwest.
What are your legal interests?: Environmental law in general, but more specifically animal protection and ocean conservation.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: This is my first time in the Pacific Northwest, so I don’t have a favorite place yet. I’m sure by the end of the summer I will have more than one favorite place out here.
Favorite Quote: “I define nothing, not beauty, not patriotism. I take each thing as it is, without prior rules about what it should be.” Bob Dylan

Name: Tara Gallagher – Summer Associate
School: Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College
Hometown: Troy, MI
What brought you to Crag? : Mostly, Crag’s reputation and the reputation of the people who work here.  Crag’s staff is known for helping train the next generation of environmental lawyers.  I wanted to be involved with an organization that uses creative legal strategies to solve complex litigation problems associated with environmental law and educates future lawyers on how to be successful.
What are your legal interests? : Helping people, saving the planet, breaking ground, blazing trails, and, of course, winning.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Anywhere on the coast at sunset. I never experienced such beautiful sunsets until I sat at the end of the world and looked out over the Pacific.
Favorite Quote: “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” – Hemingway.

Jordana Jusidman

Name: Jordana Jusidman – Legal Extern

School: Vermont Law School

Jordana Jusidman joined the Crag Law Center in August 2010 through Vermont Law School’s Semester in Practice program. During her legal externship, which concluded in mid-December, Jordana explored the field of environmental litigation. She had the opportunity to work with staff attorneys at Crag on various projects, including the Measure 49 cases. During her time at Crag, she appeared before a local state court for oral argument. While working at Crag, Jordana enjoyed living on an urban farm in Milwaukie. Originally from California, Jordana holds dual Bachelors degrees in International Relations and Spanish from UC Davis. She is fluent in Spanish, well-versed in Portuguese and has spent time studying and working abroad in Brazil, Cuba and Mexico. Jordana is an outdoors enthusiast and has led kayaking and rock climbing programs for Outward Bound and the Northwest Passage.

Name: Polly Kang – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown: Seattle, WA
What brought you to Crag?: Duke Engage Portland + Interest in going to law school+ Fascination with the concept of a non-profit law center!
What are your academic or legal interests?: I am an Economics and Public Policy double major; If I go to law school, I want to possibly specialize in international law.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Lake Washington
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Name: Julie Krogh – Summer Associate
School: UCLA School of Law
Hometown: Lake Oswego, OR
What brought you to Crag? : I was drawn to Crag because of the down-to-earth and intelligent people who are driven to protect the natural state of the Pacific Northwest.  Growing up in Oregon, the forests, rivers, and coasts of this state were always very special places to me and I wanted to work with people who valued them as well.
What are your legal interests? : My legal interests are too varied and subject to change to list, but I particularly enjoyed working on Measure 49 vested rights issues this summer.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Anywhere there’s enough room to pitch a tent.
Favorite Book: Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes

Name: Emily Reid – Summer Associate
School: Willamette University College of Law
Hometown: Cottonwood, AZ
What brought you to Crag? : I heard about Crag my first year at Willamette from the other officers in our Environmental Law Society.  I looked at the website and Crag immediately jumped to the top of my list of places I’d like to work.  The attorneys at Crag practice exactly the type of law I’m interested in pursuing.  They keep things interesting by representing a variety of clients and are determined to win on the basis of law, not relying primarily on emotional appeal.
What are your legal interests? : I decided to go back to school with environmental law and policy in mind.  After a variety of experiences, my goal remains the same.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: There isn’t really one single spot I could name as my favorite.  I love the coast, the rivers, the forest – and having the wonderful city of Portland as my home base.
Favorite Book: The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

Name: Eric Swanson – Summer Associate
School: Georgetown University Law Center
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela and Marietta, GA
What brought you to Crag? : Crag specializes in exactly what I want to do: environmental law for the good guys.  Also, I wanted to get away from D.C.’s brutal summers and explore a new area of the country.
What are your legal interests? : Environmental law and policy.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: It’s really tough to say. I loved Smith Rock for the climbing, the coast for its rugged beauty, and Eugene for its atmosphere. Probably my favorite thing of the summer was every once in a while being surprised to look up from riding my bike around Portland and see Mount Hood in the distance. That is the one thing I’ll miss the most back in DC.
Favorite Quote: “All the elements are there. The stone, the air when you’re free-falling, the water and the fire inside.” – Chris Sharma, on deep-water solo (climbing over the ocean with only the water as protection).

Name: David Kinsella – Legal Intern
School: University of Portland Spring 2009, 1L Stanford Law School Fall 2009
Hometown: Redmond, WA
What brought you to Crag? : Initially it was the proselytizing of Prof. Barnes. Throughout an entire class he kept talking about what a great organization Crag was. When he mentioned at the end of class that he might be able to get an internship there for one of his students, I knew I had to ask more. Also, it was really important for me to get some nonprofit experience before I headed off to law school.
What are your legal interests? : Intellectual property, environmental law, corporate governance, merger clearance, and antitrust.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: The Redmond Watershed, right by where I grew up. I have run in the Watershed’s trails for years, and every time I go back to visit my parents it’s one of the first places I go. I feel like it epitomizes the Northwest: dense forest, soft trails, a small lake, the occasional bear, and a great community of people who are all out enjoying the wilderness. It’s perfect.
Favorite Book: “I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta”

Name: Amanda Pade – DukeEngage Intern
School: Duke University
Hometown:
What brought you to Crag? : As my academic interests expanded, I wanted to gain exposure to environmental law. As a non-profit firm in the Pacific Northwest, Crag was a great place to get hands-on experience in public interest work.
What are your legal interests? : I am extremely interested in environmental law related to climate change. Specifically, I would like to work on policies and laws that help the US deal with the issues and consequences of global warming.
Favorite Book: The Things They Carried- Tim O’Brien.

Jen O’Brien

Name: Jen O’Brien – Summer Associate
School: Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College
Hometown: Polson, MT
What brought you to Crag? I’ve known for a while that I want to do environmental litigation work after law school, and Crag is one of the best places to learn.  I knew I would be able to get substantive, hands-on experience working on a variety of issues.  Additionally, I knew that the Crag staff would be a fantastic group of people to work with and learn from.
What are your legal interests? Environmental law, specifically issues relating to public lands and land use.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Put me anywhere on the coast that is quiet and unpopulated and I’m happy!
Favorite Person: Jeannette Rankin is one person I’ve always admired and tried to take inspiration from.  She was the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress (and from Montana, too), an advocate for both women’s suffrage and world peace, and the only person in either house of Congress to vote against U.S. entry into World War II.

Naomi Rowden

Name: Naomi Rowden – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon School of Law
Hometown: Seattle, WA
What brought you to Crag? I came to Crag because of the excellent reputation Crag has for public interest work on environmental issues. In particular, I appreciate Crag’s commitment to serving local communities who are directly affected by environmental issues.
What are your legal interests? I am interested in public interest environmental law, as well as Indian law. Being able to work with Chris for the Native Villages of the North Slope of Alaska on off-shore oil and gas drilling impacts really allowed me to dig into the confluence of these issues in a meaningful way and was a great experience.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Fall Creek area of the Willamette National Forest – It has beautiful trees!
Favorite Book: A Wizard of Earthsea by Urusula K. Le Guin

Veronica Warnock

Name: Veronica Warnock – Summer Associate
What brought you to Crag? By being a client driven non-profit Crag is able to address environmental issues that directly affect people’s quality of life even when its clients cannot afford to pay.  I applied to work for Crag because wanted to get a taste of what practicing environmental law would be like and was overjoyed that I got to do so in such a setting.
What are your legal interests? Land use & environmental law
What is your favorite spot in the Pacific Northwest? It’s impossible to choose a favorite. However, I do love the Wallow Mountains, the Oregon coast, especially just north of Florence, and Mt. Rainier.
What is your hometown? South Burlington, Vermont
What is your favorite book? Whatever I am currently reading.

Maureen McGee

Name: Maureen McGee – Summer Associate
School: University of Oregon School of Law
Hometown: Pocatello, ID
What brought you to Crag? I was looking for a small, non-profit setting for my first-year internship, where I would be able to do substantial legal work and learn first-hand how to do environmental litigation from experienced attorneys. When I saw that Crag was hiring for the summer, I found a classmate who had volunteered here. She was so happy with her experience at Crag that I applied, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come here!
What are your legal interests? The whole reason I entered law school was to pursue a career in environmental law. I love the work that I am doing here at Crag and am also interested in work more along the lines of increasing sustainability practices for business and working to bring our energy policies more up to speed in promoting truly renewable resources across the board. My favorite classes so far in school have been Property Law, and interestingly, Contracts.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: One of my favorite ways to relax is to leave my home in Eugene early in the morning, drive over to the Oregon Coast, and then head south from Florence until I find a nice, empty beach in the dunes area. There are secluded spots, where, after wandering out onto the beach a bit, you can sit on the sand and see nothing in any direction but the ocean and sand. Crater Lake is pretty cool, too.

Nicole Rentz

Name: Nicole Rentz – Legal Intern
School: The George Washington School of Law
Hometown: Columbia, Louisiana
What brought you to Crag? The opportunity to work for attorneys representing local citizens in environmental litigation, and the chance to spend the summer in Portland.
What are your legal interests? Environmental and land use law, International and human rights law.
Favorite quote: “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. That makes it hard to plan the day.” – E.B. White

Name: Alexandra Saavedra – Undergraduate Intern
School: Santa Clara University
Hometown: Lima, Peru and Portland, Oregon
What brought you to Crag? As a freshman in college, I am seriously considering going to Law School and wanted some exposure to what that entails. One of Crag’s board memebers introduced the idea of interning here and after looking into what it is Crag stands for and how much they are able to accomplish with so little resources, I decided it would be a great first law-related internship.
What are your legal interests? For now, although this is very subject to change as I am only 19 years old, I am heading towards International Law.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Mt. Hood (Timberline)
Favorite Quote: “Today you are you that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” -Dr. Seuss

Chuck Brushwood

Name: Chuck Brushwood – Summer Associate
School: B.S., Ecology, The Evergreen State College. J.D. Candidate 2008, Willamette University College of Law.
Hometown: I’m still looking for one.
What brought you to Crag? A shared vision. Ralph came to Willamette last year to talk about Crag’s work in support of community efforts to promote environmental conservation and sustainable natural resource management, and I was hooked. Working with Crag is a real privilege and a great opportunity to focus and develop my education in preparation for my incipient legal career.
What are your legal interests? Public interest law, public lands law, and policy, water law, American Indian law.
Favorite pastime: Exploring the wild lands and waters of Cascadia.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: I have a hard time picking one favorite spot with so many great places in the PNW to choose from, but I will say that I have a soft spot for the North Cascades.
Favorite Quote: “Wilderness needs no defense, only more defenders” – Ed Abbey

Name: Josh Halladay – High School Intern
School: Catlin Gabel School
Hometown: Tigard, OR
What brought you to Crag? After chatting with with Board Chairwoman Sadhana Shenoy I learned about Crag and and what the lawyers stood for.
What are your legal interests? Civil Rights and Animal Rights
Favorite pastime: Football, baseball, and racquetball
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Oregon Coast
Favorite Quote, Hero, Book, Movie or anything else?:
“I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.”-Muhammad Ali

Perrin de Jong

Name: Perrin de Jong – Summer Associate
School: BA, Sociology; Berea College. 2nd-year JD Candidate, Lewis & Clark Law School
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
What brought you to Crag? An opportunity to get experience working in a dazzling array of environmental law areas.
What are your legal interests? Administrative environmental law, particularly as it relates to wildlands defense, logging, mining, road-building, and environmental justice. Also criminal defense for activists and other victims of police abuse.
Favorite pastime: Playing music with friends
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Klamath-Siskiyous
Favorite Quote: “You’re voting which you’re hoping will stop the guns from smoking — is someone f—ing joking? They’re bankers in sheep’s clothing!” – The Coup

Sean Malone

Name: Sean Malone – Summer Associate
Hometown: Dayton, OH
School: BA, University of Colorado. JD Candidate, Gonzaga University
Why Crag? Environmental Work
Legal Interests: Environmental law, Constitutional law.
Favorite Pastime: Playing Guitar
Favorite Place in Pacific NW: Oregon Coast
Favorite Book: Ulysses by James Joyce

Name: Kris Russell – Undergraduate Intern
School: Reed College
Hometown: Easton, CT and Scottsdale, AZ
What brought you to Crag? My professor Noelwah Netusil happens to like these gentlemen, and recommended that I spend a summer with them.
What are your legal interests? Obviously Environmental Law, but I’m also very interested in Law and Economics.
Favorite pastime: I enjoy badminton, playing my flute or guitar, container gardening, and hiking with my dog, Widget.
Favorite place in the Pacific NW: Haven’t found it yet.
Favorite Quote: “Tea! That’s all I needed! Good cup of tea! Super-heated infusion of free-radicals and tannins, just the thing for healing the synapses.”
-Ten, Doctor Who