Views from the Chair

I am so excited to serve as chair of this amazing Section. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with you all to continue to make the Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) a community where members from diverse backgrounds can learn, expand their networks, and grow as leaders.

One of the overarching goals for this year is “collaborating to meaningfully engage SEER members and our community.” I am looking forward to collaborating internally and externally throughout the year to develop programs, written content, and initiatives that benefit SEER members and the larger community. Collaborating is important to me because I believe we all benefit by working together to have a positive impact on our communities.

Embracing the spirit of collaboration, this is a joint article with the chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section (NEERLS), Chi Iliya-Ndule. In addition to both having connections to Nigeria, Chi and I are also leading our respective sections in the same year. We wanted to write this article together to highlight our experiences, goals for the upcoming year, and the importance of collaboration.

Could you have imagined yourself in this role years ago?

Chi: Before I joined the NEERLS executive committee as communications officer, serving as chair was not something I had anticipated. As I step into the role now, I’m both excited and humbled by the opportunity, especially when I think of those who have held this position before me.

Jonathan: No, I joined SEER because I was looking for community and I wanted to stay current on emerging environmental issues. When I started as a co-vice chair of publications for the International Law Committee with Shannon Dilley, I never imagined that I would one day be asked to serve in this important role. I never focused on becoming chair; I just focused on positively collaborating with everyone and making sure I delivered what was asked of me. Now that the moment is here, I’m truly honored, humbled, and inspired by those who came before me.

What is one thing you have learned as a member of your sections that will help you this year?

Chi: The power of diversity of thought. While I joined NEERLS to collaborate with like-minded professionals, I found immense value in engaging with those who hold different views. Conversations with practitioners from government, nonprofits, in-house roles, and private practice sparked insightful discussions and broadened my perspectives.

Jonathan: Connect with everyone. Along the way, I have met so many incredible people. Each person brings their own talents and skills to SEER. Connecting with everyone provides the opportunity to learn from them and find out how they can use those talents and skills to make a positive impact in SEER and the larger community.

As you think about the year ahead, what are you looking forward to, what are your goals/priorities?

Chi: I am looking forward to advancing our priority of increasing participation from lawyers across diverse practice areas and levels of experience, which will enhance our collective knowledge and impact.

Jonathan: I am looking forward to continuing our outreach initiatives with law students, including law students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In addition to the 32nd Fall Conference in Seattle in October and the Spring Conference in Philadelphia in April, I am also really excited about how we are going to incorporate a public service project for our one-day conferences. In November, we will invite those attending the Environmental Justice Symposium at Howard University to use the Middle School Environmental Law Curriculum to teach students at surrounding schools about environmental laws. We hope to do the same as part of the one-day conference focused on water quality. Finally, collaborating with Green 2.0, I can’t wait to start the SEER Chair Fireside Chat Series, which will provide an opportunity for SEER members to hear from amazing individuals about timely and emerging environment, energy, and resource issues.

Chi and I are both excited about the year ahead and are looking forward to working with you all. What makes our sections so special are its members. We want to work with you all to learn, expand your networks, and grow as leaders. Please feel free to reach out to me and reach out to Chi with your thoughts and ideas. We will work together to make this an amazing year.