Associates Jose Almanzar (New York), Will Enoch (Seattle), Deepti Gage (Washington, DC), Dacie Meng (Washington, DC), Rue Muza (Washington, DC), Kate Tipple (San Francisco, CA) and Nikki Waxman (Washington, DC) applied and were selected for the Environmental Law Institute’s (ELI) Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI ELI) as part of the 2021 cohort.

The Environmental Law Institute formed the Emerging Leaders Initiative to connect, support, and foster dialogue amongst the next generation of rising stars in environmental law and policy. Selected by ELI leadership and staff, Emerging Leaders hail from across the U.S. and from a variety of practices to bring together those who will shape the future of environmental law and policy, and possibly go on to serve on the ELI Leadership Council and Board of Directors.

Kate Tipple said, "I helped ELI organize its outstanding legal programming many years ago as a college intern. It is an honor to now participate in ELI through the Emerging Leaders Initiative, continuing to benefit from the stellar programs. Together we are seeking to shape the future of environmental law."

“I am inspired by the work that the Environmental Law Institute does,” Nikki Waxman commented, “and knew that joining the Emerging Leaders Initiative would allow me to develop as an environmental attorney and expand my professional network.”

Will Enoch said, “I joined ELI ELI for the opportunity to connect with other environmental law practitioners and to engage in ELI ELI’s curriculum in areas of law in which I have an interest. I continue to be impressed by ELI ELI’s ability to deliver interactive social events that allowed for networking while remote, as well as by the quality of presentations from ELI ELI’s renowned guest speakers in wide-ranging areas of environmental law.”

Rue Muza noted, “ELI ELI provides a combination of formal and informal opportunities to learn from environmental superstars. Participating in the program helps me to stay abreast of cutting-edge environmental law and policy topics.”

“I am pleased that the next generation of B&D attorneys have taken their places among others in our profession to develop a future of innovation in the practice of environmental law,” said B&D Chairman and ELI Board Chair Ben Wilson. “Their participation in the Emerging Leaders Initiative gives them an opportunity to influence the future of the field while developing their own practice.” B&D Principal Stacey Halliday (Washington, DC) is Chair of the ELI ELI Steering Committee, on which Associate Erika Spanton (Seattle) also serves.