Lisa Mitchell: Executive Director

Written By Ryan Oxner

Lisa is a passionate advocate for nature whose journey began in her forested backyard in rural Nova Scotia. Curious and compassionate, she followed a road less travelled in legal circles.

After earning her law degree from Dalhousie University in 1991, Lisa volunteered with a national youth organization and represented Atlantic Canada at the World Youth Forum on Environment & Development in St. Jose, Costa Rica in 1992.

Keen to explore how lawyers could play a role in addressing environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, she pursued a Masters in Environmental Studies and was the first lawyer to graduate from Dalhousie’s School for Resource and Environmental Studies in 1994.

Throughout her professional development, Lisa remained dedicated to giving back to the community through volunteer work. She served as Co-Chair of the Nova Scotia Round Table on Environment & Economy, Chair of the Advisory Committee responsible for reviewing the Nova Scotia Environment Act, and Chair of the Voluntary Planning Committee on Environmental Quality and Stewardship. Her commitment extended to serving as a member of the Stakeholder Roundtable for the Strategic Environmental Assessment of tidal energy development in Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy and as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment.

Lisa’s career focus has been rooted in effective communication. Applying her interdisciplinary skills and expertise in environmental law, she has assisted governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and individuals in understanding the complexities of environmental law and how it pertains to their activities. She has provided advice and training on environmental law and policy in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario. She has taught professional development courses and seminars on environmental law topics ranging from the regulation of natural resources to environmental impact assessment.

In 2006, Lisa joined the newly inaugurated Board of Directors of the East Coast Environmental Law Association, and she served on the Board for three years. In 2011, Lisa returned to East Coast Environmental Law to provide legal services. In 2016, she assumed the role of Executive Director.

 

Featured Publications:

Resource Library
East Coast Environmental Law Association Report on Aquaculture Regulation in Nova Scotia: Focus on Transparency and Public Participation
East Coast Environmental Law Association Report on Aquaculture Regulation in Nova Scotia: Focus on Transparency and Public Participation

In this Report, we consider the extent to which the Doelle-Lahey recommendations were implemented into the aquaculture regulatory framework in the areas of transparency and public participation. Our most insightful conclusions identify areas where the recommendations were partially implemented or misconstrued.

Blog
Responding to the Global Biodiversity Crisis
Responding to the Global Biodiversity Crisis

The global biodiversity crisis, characterized by the rapid decline of species and the degradation of life-sustaining ecosystems, will have severe consequences for human wellbeing. Governments around the world must act quickly to halt biodiversity loss and achieve transformative change in the way humans interact with the environment. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and to protect and restore the world's biodiversity.

 
Ryan Oxner
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Mike Kofahl: Staff Lawyer