Executive Director:

Chris Tollefson

Chris is the Hakai Chair in Environmental Law and Sustainability 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 (currently Ecojustice) 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

Deborah is the Hakai Professor in Environmental Law and Sustainability at UVic Law. 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. For real estate, land use and ustainability law news, follow Deborah on Twitter @DeborahLCurran. (See Deborah's UVic Law Biography.)

Litigation Director:

Mark Haddock

Bio coming soon! See Mark's UVic Law Biography.

Paralegal 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 law issues to the general public 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 2011-12
	Naomi Kovak, President Naomi Kovak is a third-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.
	Julie DeWolf, Vice President Julie is a second year law student and has recently fallen in love with Vancouver Island. Originally from the east coast, she studied Sociology and French at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. She spent her childhood pestering her parents to turn off taps and sort their recycling, and is excited for the opportunity to pursue her interest in environmental concerns with the ELC.
	Kate Feeney, Communications Coordinator Kate is a second year law student. Prior to attending UVic, she majored in international relations at UBC. Having grown up in Vancouver and Seattle, she’s most at home amidst mountains, ocean, and rain. However, she’s also passionate about experiencing new cultures and is a constant student of French and Spanish. She’s very excited to engage with green issues this year as part of the environmental law clinic.
	Katrina Andres, Communications Coordinator Katrina is a second year student at UVic Law. She grew up in Victoria, where she completed her undergraduate degree in British Columbia History in 2010. She is particularly interested in forest policy, having worked for both the Wilderness Committee and the Ancient Forest Alliance. Her commitment to environmental issues began at the 1993 Clayoquot Sound protests at the age of 5. She enjoys hot springs, camping, hiking, running, playing cello and vampire pop culture.
	Alyssa Holland, Treasurer Alyssa is a second-year law student at UVic. Originally a canoe-paddling kid from Ontario, her passion for social justice and environmental protection was solidified as a student at Lester B. Pearson United World College, where she was introduced to the fragile beauty of Vancouver Island's underwater and land ecosystems. Alyssa is a graduate of McGill University's political science program, after which she worked at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, backpacked her way through South America, and ran an Eco-Citizenship and Active Living project with Katimavik. Alyssa is passionate about protecting our wild spaces and believes that environmentalism can be a powerful tool for challenging inequality and poverty, both in Canada and beyond. She is thrilled to be part of this year's ELC Student Executive.
	Amanda Macdonald, Project & Events Coordinator Amanda Macdonald is a second year law student at UVic. She was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, where despite being a suburbanite, she developed a love for the environment. She went to the University of Waterloo where she earned a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business and Diploma in Environmental Assessment. Through Waterloo's co-op program, Amanda worked on environmental initiatives at the Region of Peel, Environment Canada and BC Hydro. She is excited to get more involved in the ELC and environmental community at UVic!
	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!
	Ainsley MacCallum, Summer Coordinator After completing a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at UBC, Ainsley moved out of Vancouver for the first time to attend UVic Law. She immediately fell in love with the beautiful forests, beaches, and downtown markets and festivals that Victoria has become famous for. As ELC summer rep, she is excited at the opportunity to explore more of Vancouver Island will her fellow ELC members, and also to learn about the environmental concerns that affect British Columbia.
	Kaylee Apostoliuk, Summer Coordinator 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, Upper 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.
	Megan Seiling, First Year Rep Megan is a first year law student at UVic. She grew up in southern Ontario and spent the majority of her summers paddling northern Ontario rivers and nurturing an increasing bliss found outdoors. After completing her undergraduate degree in environmental science at the University of Guelph she spent a couple years adventuring overseas and traveling in Northern Canada teaching science. Megan is very excited to now be living in the west and is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with the Environmental Law Centre.
	Teio Senda, First Year Rep After graduating with a degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the department of Forestry at UBC, Teio decided to further pursue his love for the environment at the University of Victoria Law Program. Having spent the last four summers working within the field of forestry, he has a great appreciation for the challenges BC faces in the future. Teio is very excited to be part of the ELC and to spend time with people who share the same interests with him!
	Alix Stoicheff, First Year Rep Alix grew up in Saskatchewan and some of her strongest childhood memories are of canoeing on the province’s northern rivers and backpacking across the grasslands in the south. Upon finishing her History degree at McGill University, Alix moved to the Rockies, where she spent two seasons working and climbing mountains in Yoho National Park. When she needs to be indoors, Alix has worked as a researcher studying Canadian mining practices in Latin America (a region she has explored with her hiking boots and backpack), and and as a reporter for CBC Radio & Television in Saskatchewan. She has also shared her passion for sustainability issues as an organizer of an environmental festival in Saskatoon.

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