ELAW U.S. Staff

Bern Johnson Executive Director
Bern directs the work of ELAW and develops initiatives to protect the environment through law and science. Bern was the first Staff Attorney at ELAW before assuming the position of Executive Director in 1993. His work to protect the environment has taken him to the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the South Pacific, and Central and South America. Prior to joining ELAW, Bern practiced law with the firm of Culp, Guterson and Grader in Seattle. He was President of the Environmental Law Society at Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude. Before attending law school, Bern worked on environmental issues in the U.S. Congress as a Legislative Assistant to Representative James Weaver. The Harvard Law Bulletin, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Grist, Christian Science Monitor, and E Magazine have reported on Bern's work with ELAW.

Lori Maddox Associate Director
Lori leads ELAW's work in Mexico and Central America. She works with the Mesoamerican Legal Strategy Group to protect the Mesoamerican Reef and coastal watersheds, and build public interest environmental law in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Lori helped launch the ELAW network in 1991 and has traveled to Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America to reach out to new advocates and help build their organizations. She designed and ran the ELAW Fellows Program for more than 10 years and directed the ELAW Technology Program until 2000. Lori oversees ELAW administration and finance, and serves as Board Secretary.

Mark Chernaik Staff Scientist
Mark helps attorneys and citizens make effective use of scientific information to defend the environment. Mark received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University. His work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Mark received his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law in May 1993, and has worked on litigation challenging pollution from pulp mills in the Pacific Northwest. He joined ELAW in 1992. Mark's work has taken him to Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Meche Lu Environmental Research Scientist
Meche provides scientific and technical support to grassroots attorneys working with communities to protect the environment. Before joining ELAW in 2003, Meche provided scientific support to the ELAW network from her home office in Lima, Peru. She began work with ELAW in 1991. Meche travels throughout Latin America and around the world to give on-site scientific support to communities, including help monitoring the quality of air, water, and soil. Meche graduated as a pharmacist and biochemist from the National University of San Marcos, in Lima, Peru. She also studied ecology and environmental management at Cayetano Heredia University in Lima. She is a founding member of the Peruvian Toxicological Association (APTOX).

Jennifer Gleason Staff Attorney
Jennifer manages ELAW's Legal Assistance Program and collaborates with lawyers around the world to strengthen and enforce laws that protect the environment and human rights. She joined ELAW in 1993. Jen's current focus is helping lawyers challenge global warming by promoting laws that encourage the production of electricity from renewable sources, and challenging projects that produce harmful greenhouse gases. Jen's work with ELAW has taken her to Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Jen graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1993 with a certificate in Natural Resources Law. Jen is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oregon School of Law, where she teaches Energy and the Law.

Liz Mitchell Staff Attorney
Liz provides legal assistance to grassroots attorneys outside the U.S. who are working to protect communities and the environment. She joined ELAW in 2007. Liz holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and was a Thomas J. Watson fellow. After graduating from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1994, with a certificate in Natural Resources Law, Liz was a staff attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center. Liz has traveled to Africa and the Caribbean to help partners protect communities and the natural environment.

Maggie Keenan Communications Director
Maggie writes grants, produces ELAW publications, works with journalists, and helps ELAW advocates build strong organizations. She joined ELAW in 1999. Maggie holds a Master's in Professional Studies in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University. She served for three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines and worked for three years in Uganda as a consultant for the Uganda Wildlife Society, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and various USAID-funded maternal health projects. Her work at ELAW has taken her to Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ukraine, Bolivia, and Chile.

Rita Radostitz Director of Philanthropy
Rita joined ELAW in 2008 to work with individuals who want to provide financial support for ELAW's work. Rita grew up in Eugene and graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in political science. She then earned her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and practiced law for 15 years in Oregon, Washington, and Texas. Rita left her law practice in 2000 to ride her bicycle around the world. She returned to the University of Oregon in 2002 and earned a master's degree in journalism and nonprofit management.

Glenn Gillis Information Technology Manager
Glenn joined ELAW in 2000 to manage ELAW's computer network. Glenn works with ELAW's international partners to help them use technology to protect the environment. His work has taken him to Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, and Thailand. Prior to his work at ELAW, Glenn worked as a User Support Technician and Programmer Analyst at the Lane County Department of Information Services.

Kalindi Devi-Dasi Office Manager
Kalindi began work at ELAW in 1996. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 1995 with a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish, and a minor in Environmental Studies. Kalindi has lived in or traveled to Sweden, Japan, Mexico, and Ecuador. Kalindi manages ELAW's Eugene, Oregon, office and coordinates the efforts of the many volunteers who make ELAW's work possible.

Vannia Glasinovic Program Assistant
Vannia joined ELAW in 2008. She manages the ELAW Fellows Program and coordinates Spanish translation. Vannia received her law degree from the Bolivian Catholic University and received a Master of Law (LL.M.) in Sustainable International Development from the University of Washington. She worked as an environmental lawyer in her home country, Bolivia, and is licensed to practice law in California, where she worked as an environmental consultant.

Lauren Ice Office Manager
Lauren conducted field studies at Kimana Group Ranch in southern Kenya and received a B.A in environmental studies from Austin College. Before moving to Eugene she was an Organizer, Senior Field Manager, and Program Assistant at the Texas Campaign for the Environment.