Christopher G. Berven
Associate
Seattle
Direct Line: (206) 805-0838
[email protected]
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Christopher advises municipal governments, private companies, and nonprofits in complex environmental and natural resource matters. His background experience in environmental science and economics supports his representation in several areas of environmental law, including climate and environmental policies, water quality, hazardous waste cleanup and liability, environmental permitting, and the Endangered Species Act.
Professional Experience
With the Farm Bill Law Enterprise, wrote policy briefs, met with federal legislators, and supported farmer-led initiatives to reduce the climate impact of the agriculture sector.
While at the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, coordinated research and strategy with other federal agencies for projects focusing on environmental justice, CERCLA, and public lands.
While externing with Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food and Farming Program, supported multi-stakeholder claims to reduce the environmental and public health impacts of industrial agriculture and promote climate-resilient practices.
While working at the New York Office of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau, supported litigation pertaining to superfund sites and statewide lead-based paint protection laws for low-income housing units.
As a Water Policy Fellow for the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, analyzed allocations from Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to expand access to program funding for environmental justice communities.
BAR AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Rausser College of Natural Resources Environmental Economics and Policy Students Enviro-mentorship Program, Mentor (2021 – Present)
Instructor-at-Law, Boston College (2023 - 2024) managing curriculum design and teaching Environmental Law and Policy course for undergraduates at Boston College
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Co-Author (with Katy Hansen, Tee Thomas, Stephanie Vo, Pranav Moudgalya, and Sridhar Vedachalam), “Financing Green Stormwater and Natural Infrastructure with Clean Water State Revolving Funds,” Environmental Policy Innovation Center (2022)
Author, “EPA Reaffirms it is Appropriate and Necessary to Limit Hazardous Air Pollution from Power Plants,” Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program (Apr. 2023)
Education
J.D., Harvard Law School, 2024 (Co-President of the Environmental Law Society; Managing Editor for the Harvard Environmental Law Review; Program Coordinator for the Harvard Climate Leadership Program; Law Students for Climate Accountability & Clean Law Pledge Campus Ambassador)
Research Assistant to Professors Richard Lazarus, James Salzman, and Emily Broad Leib
B.S., University of California, Berkeley, 2020, Environmental Economics and Policy; Environmental Science (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa),
Cal Boxing Team (President/Captain),
College of Natural Resources (Peer Advising Leader)
Bar Admissions
Washington
