Stewart wins ABA excellence award for leadership in environmental law

University Professor Richard Stewart, the director of the Frank J. Guarini Center on Environmental and Land Use Law, has received the 2009 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship from the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER). The honor was conferred at SEER’s fall meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 25.

The organization cited Stewart’s “demonstrated and recognized leadership” and “many accomplishments,” including litigation related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the degradation of the Florida Everglades when Stewart was assistant attorney general in the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and his deep involvement in many major environmental law forums: “Professor Stewart has made extensive and widely recognized contributions to environmental law and environmental protection as a preeminent scholar, as a high federal government official, and as a board member of several prominent environmental organizations. He is particularly associated with his groundbreaking work in using economic incentives for environmental protection, including systems of tradable emissions quotas.”

John C. Cruden, acting assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division in the Justice Department as well as the SEER chair, said, “These awards not only recognize the leadership and accomplishments of the recipient, but also provide a model, a standard of excellence and professionalism, to which all SEER members may aspire.” Cruden, who worked for Stewart when the latter was at the Justice Department, added that Stewart deserved credit for establishing the Environment and Natural Resource Division’s International Environmental Program.

Stewart is also John Edward Sexton Professor of Law, and chair and faculty director of the Hauser Global Law School Program.

Posted on October 1, 2009