The American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (ABA SEER) presented Beveridge & Diamond (B&D) Principal John C. Cruden (Washington, DC) with its Lifetime Achievement Award in Environmental, Energy, or Resources Law and Policy during the section’s 28th Fall Conference on October 20. The award recognizes an outstanding attorney who has “dedicated a lifetime to achievement in environmental, energy, or resources law and policy before courts, agencies, U.S. Congress, state legislatures, or other institutions.” John is only the third recipient of the distinguished award.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this significant award," said John Cruden. "It means a lot to me, but [any of] my accomplishments have been on the shoulders of so many mentors, colleagues, and friends who have inspired, encouraged, and supported me throughout my career. I am fortunate that environmental law has been both my work and my passion.”

Prior to joining B&D in 2018, John had a long and distinguished career in public service, culminating as Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). During his time at DOJ, John supervised some of the department’s most significant matters, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Love Canal, and Bunker Hill litigation. John also worked on many of the department’s most high-profile environment cases, personally negotiating the multi-billion dollar resolutions of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Volkswagen emissions scandal.

“B&D is thrilled that ABA SEER has recognized John’s immeasurable achievements in the environmental legal field,” said B&D Managing Principal Kathy Szmuszkovicz. “Throughout his career in public service and private practice, John has worked tirelessly to advance the rule of law and his lifelong contributions have shaped environmental law and policy in the U.S. We applaud John for his incredible accomplishments and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

“We are very proud of John and congratulate him on receiving this very important award,” B&D Chairman Ben Wilson added. “Not only has John has been instrumental in advancing environmental and natural resources law throughout his career, he also has served as teacher, mentor, and friend to many of the nation’s best environmental attorneys along the way. I can think of no one more deserving of an award for a lifetime of achievements in our field than John.”

John is a long-time member of and contributor to the ABA, having served in various leadership positions in the organization, including as former Chair of ABA SEER. Earlier this year, John was elected to serve on ABA’s Board of Governors, where he represents District 4—covering the District of Columbia and Virginia—and is the liaison to the ABA’s Center for Human Rights and Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division. He is a past President of the Environmental Law Institute, past President of the American College of Environmental Lawyers, and past President of the D.C. Bar.