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Elizabeth B. Dawson

Partner | She/Her/Hers

Overview

Elizabeth B. Dawson counsels clients in navigating the range of federal environmental and climate-related laws and regulations, helping them comment on and litigate agency rulemakings, pursue federal approvals, and defend against enforcement actions. In addition to administrative rulemaking advocacy, Ellie has briefed and argued these issues in federal courts around the country, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to the Western District of Washington. Ellie’s practice also offers clients legal guidance on a broad range of ESG and sustainability issues. Clients value her deep knowledge and immersion in ESG as well as her ability to break down complex risk into pragmatic business solutions.

Ellie’s prior experience includes over five years at the Environment & Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where as a trial attorney in the Environmental Defense Section she gained invaluable insight into agency policies, procedures, and thought processes. Ellie received numerous performance awards, a Special Achievement Award, and was nominated for the John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation, one of DOJ’s highest awards offered to attorneys. 

Ellie is a partner in the Environment and Natural Resources Group in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C., office, a leader of the firm’s global ESG Advisory Team, and chair of the firm’s Sustainability Committee. She also serves on the firm’s Art Committee and Public Service Committee and maintains an active pro bono practice in a wide variety of areas, including asylum, landlord-tenant, and reproductive rights.

Outside the firm, Ellie has served on the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Superfund and Natural Resource Damages Litigation Committee and as the co-chair of the ABA’s Clean Technology and Climate Change Committee, where she organized programs covering such topics as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures and the role of climate change in the legal profession. Ellie was also selected to participate in the Environmental Law Institute’s Emerging Leaders Initiative, and has received a Certificate in Sustainable Capitalism & ESG Online from Berkeley Law Executive Education.

Career & Education

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    • Department of Justice: Environment & Natural Resources Division
      Trial Attorney, Environmental Defense Section (2011 — 2017)
    • Department of Justice: Environment & Natural Resources Division
      Trial Attorney, Environmental Defense Section (2011 — 2017)
    • Viterbo University, B.A., summa cum laude, Spanish/B.F.A. musical theatre, 2005
    • Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, J.D., summa cum laude, Cornelius Honor Society, 2011
    • Viterbo University, B.A., summa cum laude, Spanish/B.F.A. musical theatre, 2005
    • Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, J.D., summa cum laude, Cornelius Honor Society, 2011
    • District of Columbia
    • Oregon
    • District of Columbia
    • Oregon
  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Member, American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Superfund and Natural Resource Damages Litigation Committee
    • Former Co-Chair, ABA’s Clean Technology & Climate Change Committee
    • Participant, Environmental Law Institute’s Emerging Leaders Initiative

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Member, American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Superfund and Natural Resource Damages Litigation Committee
    • Former Co-Chair, ABA’s Clean Technology & Climate Change Committee
    • Participant, Environmental Law Institute’s Emerging Leaders Initiative
    • Spanish
    • Spanish
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