Executive Director:

Chris Tollefson

Chris is a Professor at UVic Law and one of Canada's leading environmental law scholars. The ELC's founding Executive Director, he is a former President of the Sierra Legal Defence Fund and a founding director of EAGLE. (UVic Law Biography )

Legal Director:

Calvin Sandborn

Calvin is one of BC's most experienced public interest environmental lawyers. He is former counsel to West Coast Environmental Law Association and the Forest Practices Board, and was Associate to the historic Commission on Resources and Environment. He has successfully litigated many high profile cases (particularly in the areas of forestry and endangered species) and instigated broad law reform. ( UVic Law Biography )

Project Director:

Deborah Curran

Focusing primarily on land use law, Deborah has significant has significant experience in analyzing and making recommendations on how local governments approach regulation and planning for environmental protection, particularly in the context of smart growth and ecosystem integrity.

Program Administrator:

Holly Pattison

Holly joined the ELC as its first full-time Paralegal/Program Administrator in 2006. She teaches file management in the clinic, manages the office, juggles finances, maintains the Society’s records, updates the website, organizes events, grooms various reports, publications and applications, and generally tries to keep the ELC’s ships in shape. In addition to her years of law firm experience, Holly brings a keen desire to learn and communicate public interest environmental issues to the general public (i.e. decipher lawyer speak) through writing, photography and film.

Board of Directors 2010-11

Community Board Members
	Gillian Calder, Law Professor (on leave July 2010-July 2011) Gillian is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law where she teaches Constitutional Law and Family Law. She joined the faculty in 2004 from the practice of Aboriginal law in Vancouver. Her areas of research interest include the relationship between women, work and family; constitutional and equality theories; and performativity and law. Currently she is fascinated by the role of political theatre in legal and social movements, including the potential for sustained environmental change.
	Hamar Foster, QC, Law Professor Hamar Foster practiced law with Prowse Williamson & Foster in Vancouver before joining the Faculty at UVic in 1978. Over the years he has taught evidence, property, trial and appellate advocacy, legal history, aboriginal law, and criminal law & procedure, which he also taught in the Akitsiraq program in Iqaluit, Nunavut. He is an enthusiastic member of the Victoria City Rowing Club and has an old but trusty sailboat that he wishes he could use more often.
	Claire Hutton, Consultant Claire currently works with First Nations on initiatives related to improving ecological and human wellbeing . She is the coordinator of the Coastal Guardian Watchmen Network that supports community-based monitoring programs on the North and Central Coast of BC (a project of the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative). Claire also works as a facilitator and educator on issues related to resource management and planning. She previously worked as the First Nations Outreach Coordinator at Sierra Club BC. Claire has a master's degree in Resource and Environmental Management.
	Robert Janes, Lawyer Robert Janes, of Janes Freedman Kyle Law Corporation, is a litigator with extensive experience in aboriginal and public law. Robert acts for First Nations in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario in matters relating to aboriginal and treaty rights, matters arising under the Indian Act and other proceedings of concern. He also provides advice to a number of First Nations engaged in the British Columbia Treaty Process. A member of the bar of both British Columbia and Ontario, he is a graduate of the University of Toronto Law School and has been in practice since 1992. (Link to online bio.)
	Maeve Lydon, Associate Director, Office of Community-Based Research at UVic Maeve Lydon works for the Office of CBR at the UVic. She has worked with local and national NGOs for 25 years in the areas of human rights, community development and sustainability. In Victoria she co-founded groups including Common Ground, the Victoria Coalition for Survivors of Torture, the Global Village Store. Specialty areas include community mapping and participatory planning for NGOs, organizations and neighborhoods. Maeve has been on the board of the ELC for over 10 years.
	Dan MacIsaac, Lawyer On the ELC board since 2004, Dan is the managing partner of the law firm of MacIsaac and MacIsaac. He has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia from the Provincial Court to the Court of Appeal. His primary areas of practice include land litigation.
	Maxine Matilpi, Law Professor Maxine V.H. Matilpi is Kwakwaka’wakw and lives and works on Vancouver Island in Coast and Straits Salish Territory. She works at UVic Law as Director of the Academic and Cultural Support Program. A former lawyer and Chief Negotiator for the Kwakiutl Nation (Fort Rupert, BC), she spends weekends on Denman Island with her husband, gardening, swimming, walking, and thinking about riding her bike.
	Alyne Mochan, ELC Alumnus Alyne Mochan is a proud ELC grad and worked for the ELC one summer. She is a lawyer with Cedar Law in Victoria, practising in the area of Aboriginal law. Alyne also provides research assistance to the Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner of BC.
	Karla Point, Councillor, Hesquiaht First Nation and UVic ELC alumnus
	Murray Rankin, QC, Lawyer Murray Rankin is a partner in Heenan Blaikie LLP. He has provided legal advice concerning environmental matters to a wide range of clients in both the public and private sectors. Before going into private practice, Murray taught environmental law at the University of Victoria from 1977 to 1993. He was appointed Adjunct Professor of Law in 2004. (Link to online bio)
Student Executive Board Members 2010-11
	Naomi Kovak, President Naomi Kovak is a second year student at UVic Law. Naomi grew up in the East Kootenays with an outdoor wonderland for her backyard. A love for all things outdoors has naturally progressed into a concern for environmental protection. Prior to her time at UVic law Naomi completed a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Political Science at UVic and has taken some time to travel in between.
	Ethan Krindle, Vice President Ethan has spent most of his life trying not to become a lawyer, and look where that has gotten him.  Prior to capitulating, he studied Ecology and Entomology at SFU, where he did research into biological control and the biological origins of cooperative social behaviour in insects.  Unfortunately, he likes bugs better when they're alive, and no one seems to want to pay him for this.  Ethan plans to focus on Environmental Law as soon as they'll let him and joined the ELC because he was impatient to get started.  On rare occasions he dances; it is not safe to stand near him when he does this.
	Sam Rapoport, Communications Coordinator Prior to attending law school, Sam spent her summers cooking for camps of hungry treeplanters in the North and Interior of BC. She's built hiking trails, worked as an educator for the Backyard Bounty Collective in Vancouver, and once had a pig named Susie who ate kitchen scraps. Sam is inspired by the good work done every day at the ELC, and is thrilled to be part of this community.
	Rose Keates, Communications Coordinator Rose is a 2nd year law student from Interior BC who moved to Victoria in part because of its year-round bike and hike friendly climate. She loves being involved in community-connected projects and is only mildly unnerved by her lack of science knowledge. She’s been hooked on conservation since childhood and looks forward to expanding her environmental awareness and understanding of the relevant law.
	Alex Etchell, Treasurer Alex is a second year law student. He is co-Treasurer of the Environmental Law Club and a student in the Environmental Law Clinic for the 2010-11 year. He studied at Lester B. Pearson United World College before completing a Political Science degree at UBC with a focus on resource policy in BC. Alex loves team sports, particularly soccer, and enjoys loading up the paniers and heading out to Metchosin on the 'Goose. He is an avid home brewer and an aspiring baker.
	Kat Bounds, Treasurer Katherine is a second year law student. She grew up in Edmonton before leaving for school in Montreal, needless to say she's happy to be finally living in a city where she doesn't have to deal with a 'real' winter. She has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from McGill University. After completing that degree, Katherine spent some time working to rehabilitate abused Gibbons in Thailand, an experience which provided a very different kind of education. She is excited to be a part of the ELC this year as she can continue to work with environmental issues while furthering her legal education. When she can scrape enough money together, Katherine loves to spend her free time travelling.
	Tharani Balachandran, Project & Events Coordinator Tharani Balachandran is a second-year student and a born-and-raised Victorian.  Before she succumbed to the enticing lure of Uvic law school, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Global Resource Systems at UBC and spent a few years travelling and volunteering in Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and India, doing random things like teaching English and making compost.  She is passionate about experiencing different cultures and protecting our beautiful surroundings.  Tharani is excited to be a part of the ELC and its environmental initiatives.
	Jenn Cameron, Project & Events Coordinator Although not from BC, Jennifer fell in love with the place when she attended UBC for her undergraduate degree. There she studied English literature and history. Not surprisingly, she loves reading. After completing her degree she traveled to Kuwait to work as an elementary school teacher for two years. There she worked on an initiative to set up a recycling program at the school. She also enjoyed excursions around the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Now back in BC and starting her second year at UVic law, she is enjoying spending lots of time outdoors and getting to know a new city!
	Irene Sattarzadeh, Summer Coordinator Irene Sattarzadeh feels fortunate to have grown up in North Vancouver, surrounded by the amazing beauty of the North Shore mountains. Although she has a BA in political science and an MA in international relations, she enjoys reading and learning about science, the environment, and science fiction as much as she loves discussing politics. She is particularly interested in the intersection between politics, development, food security, and the environment. She looks forward to her involvement with the ELC.
	Connie Nisbet, Summer Coordinator Connie is currently studying towards her Masters degree at UVic. Originally from New Zealand, Connie moved to Canada in September 2009. She has undergraduate degrees in Law and Ecology and has previously worked for the New Zealand Government supporting the engagement of Indigenous peoples in resource management decision making processes and negotiating Treaty settlements. She chose to study in Canada to get an international perspective on Indigenous rights and governance. Connie is interested finding ways to empower Indigenous people to manage their environment. Her research focusses on environmental governance by Indigenous groups.
	Danny Oleksiuk, Upper Year Rep Daniel Oleksiuk is a 3rd year student at UVic law. He has a passion for environmental issues, but has yet to have the benefit of an ELC clinical term. He has done freedom of information work at the B.C. legislature, legislative analysis for the BC government, fisheries research at UBC, and has undertaken a pretty thorough survey of the BC economy through part-time work, including lumber milling, bar tending, bike couriering, construction, and grocery clerking. Before coming to UVic, he studied economic geography and political science at UBC and at the Australian National University. He is thrilled to live in such a wild and wonderful place with- among other things- 500kg, 100-year-old sturgeon in the Fraser, and wild huckleberries in the rainforest.
	Allison Edgar, Upper Year Rep Allison is in 2nd year at UVic Law. She spent her undergrad studying Economic Development and Latin America, and headed to South America twice in pursuit of those interests. She returned, however, with a greater appreciation for everything the West Coast has to offer, and a desire to study something a little closer to home. Allison is excited about being a part of the ELC, and the many opportunities it presents.
	Kaylee Apostoliuk, First Year Rep Kaylee came to UVic Law straight from completing her Geography degree at Thompson Rivers University, finding that her favourite courses were climatology, hydrology and urban environments. She spent her summers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada working on water quality research and land use projects. In addition, she has worked for LiveSmart BC as a youth ambassador encouraging the public to cut down on energy usage. Naturally, she wanted to become involved with a club holding similar interests – the ELC! On spare weekends, you will find Kaylee going on camping, fishing and hiking adventures.
	Adil Khan, First Year Rep Adil moved to Canada just over a year ago after finishing up his degree between the US and the UK, previous to which he grew up in the Middle East. He has always been an outdoorsy-type, and he has tried to constantly maintain some involvement in a number of environmental campaigns. Most recently, he spent some time at the Vancouver Aquarium as a Conservation Ecology Educator and helping to promote their sustainable seafood project entitled OceanWise. He enjoys reading and traveling, and really hopes to make a positive impact through his involvement with the ELC.

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