(Washington, DC): The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is delighted to announce two new members to its Leadership Council: J. Tom Boer and Jeffrey B. Gracer. “ELI is so pleased to have these outstanding attorneys join the ranks of our Leadership Council,” said ELI Leadership Council President Kathy Robb. “Tom and Jeff represent leading thought-leaders in the environmental field. As the Institute continues to grow, these important voices from across the country will help strengthen our vision of a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. We are lucky to add such esteemed new members to our Leadership Council and look forward to the guidance and expertise they are sure to bring to our organization.”
J. Tom Boer is a Partner with Hunton & Williams in San Francisco. Tom represents companies, municipal utilities, and individuals in federal and state environmental litigation, in defense of environmental enforcement actions and citizen suits, in response to catastrophic environmental emergencies and chemical releases, and in connection with site cleanup and cost recovery. Before entering private practice, Tom served as a trial lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice and as a lawyer with the EPA’s Office of General Counsel. As a lawyer with the DOJ, Tom prosecuted cases on behalf of the United States under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act; Oil Pollution Act; and the Park System Resource Protection Act. Tom serves as an At-Large Vice Chair on the Environmental Enforcement and Crimes Committee of the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources.
Jeffrey B. Gracer is an environmental attorney and principal at Sive Paget & Riesel, the nation’s first environmental law firm. The firm has had a longstanding relationship with ELI, as David Sive, environmental law pioneer and the founder of the firm, also played a critical role in the creation of the Environmental Law Institute. Jeff’s practice involves strategic and regulatory advice, environmental aspects of corporate transactions and project development, brownfield remediation, and resolution of environmental disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. His clients include public and privately held companies seeking advice about environmental developments in the United States and other countries. He is Chair of the International Environmental Law Committee (and former chair of the Environmental Law Committee) of the New York City Bar Association. Jeff also founded the Environmental Program at the Vance Center for International Justice at the New York City Bar Association. He serves on the U.S. Board of The Climate Group, which works with global corporations and state and local governments in North America, Europe, China, and India to address climate change through cost effective carbon reduction programs. Jeff also maintains an active pro bono practice.
The ELI Leadership Council is the Institute’s group for the most prominent environment, energy, and natural resource leaders in the nation. The Council recognizes leaders for their commitment of resources and time to the Institute’s vision of a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. Members participate in events and have a chance to network and engage other leaders in discussions about key environmental law and policy issues.