Environmental Protection Agency General Counsel Jeffrey Prieto to Deliver Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law at Elisabeth Haub School of Law

January 19, 2023
Picture of Mr. Prieto

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Prieto will deliver the annual Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law. Mr. Prieto currently serves as the Senate confirmed General Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His lecture will take place on the Haub Law campus on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 and focus on the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in addressing three pivotal issues of our time: environmental injustice, climate change, and pollution.

“Each year, our annual Kerlin lecture features a renowned expert in their respective field of environmental law. At a time when the federal government is pursuing its commitment to environmental goals with renewed vigor, who better than the top lawyer in the leading national environmental agency. We are privileged to have Mr. Prieto give the Kerlin Lecture in the new year,” said Professor Jason Czarnezki, Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean for Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Haub Law.

Prieto’s prior federal government service includes nearly 20 years across various agencies, including as an Attorney-Advisor in EPA’s Office of Water. Under the Obama-Biden administration, he served as the Senate confirmed General Counsel of the United States Department of Agriculture. He also served at the U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division where he served as a Trial Attorney, Counsel to the Assistant Administrator, and General Counsel. “We are beyond thrilled to have someone of Mr. Prieto’s calibre deliver the Kerlin Lecture. His deep experience in the federal government is only complemented by his genuine commitment to the environmental issues that are on the forefront of minds of the Haub Law community,” said Professor Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director for Environmental Law Programs at Haub Law. Prior to his most recent confirmation, Mr. Prieto served as the General Counsel of the Los Angeles Community College District, the largest community college district in the nation. 

"As the nation’s top ranked environmental law program, we take enormous responsibility to recognize leaders who are at the forefront of the field, providing a platform for our students to learn from their experience and achievements,” said Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. “We are honored to have Mr. Prieto as our Kerlin lecturer in 2023. His insights on the value of public service and the role of federal agencies in the pursuit of environmental justice, climate change and pollution goals, will provide an immeasurable learning opportunity for both students and professionals.” 

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law established the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law to expand its programs of research, education, professional and scholarly activity and publications in environmental law, a field for which the law school has received national and international recognition. The Kerlin endowment funds a named professorship on Environmental Law at Haub Law. Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, founder of the law school’s environmental program, was named the first Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor in 1999 and Professor Jason J. Czarnezki was designated as the second Kerlin Distinguished Professor in 2013. The last Kerlin lecture was given by Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer for GE.

Learn more about the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law.

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