Staff
Jeanette Ageson - Communications and Development Manager
Jeanette joined West Coast in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University, and is proud to work for an organization which looks after the long-term health of her home province.
For Jeanette's full Bio, please click here.
Brenda Belak - Staff Counsel
Brenda joined West Coast in September 2012 as Staff Counsel, to work on our Tar Sands, Tankers and Pipelines campaigns. Brenda believes strongly that an important part of the path to sustainability is building the capacity of local communities, to empower them to act on decisions that affect them.
For Brenda's full Bio, please click here.
Deborah Carlson - Staff Counsel
Deborah is responsible for our Green Communities program. She’s committed to working collaboratively with communities in BC to develop legal tools and law reform proposals that support healthy, low-impact urban areas with vibrant connections to the natural environment, and strong citizen engagement.
For Deborah's full Bio, please click here.
Jessica Clogg - Executive Director and Senior Counsel
Jessica Clogg is West Coast’s Executive Director and Senior Counsel and heads up our work on Aboriginal and natural resource law. Jessica first joined West Coast in 1995 as a student, and also served as a board member before becoming staff counsel in 1999. Jessica has said that she does the work she does “because she loves the land, and because she believes in justice.”
For Jessica's full Bio, please click here.
Barbara Everdene - Project Manager - Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund
Barb is the Project Manager for the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund. Barb works with individuals, communities and environmental groups to develop legal strategies to protect the environment in BC.
For Barb's full Bio, please click here.
Andrew Gage - Staff Counsel and EDRF Liaison Lawyer
Andrew oversees the Environmental Legal Aid Program and writes the Environmental Law Alert blog. He enjoys playing the violin, gardening and sailing.
For Andrew's full Bio, please click here.
Ceciline Goh - Office Administrator
Ceciline is the Office Administrator at West Coast Environmental Law. She is in charge of the organization’s bookkeeping and general administration. As West Coast’s longest serving employee Ceciline is also, unofficially, the organization’s Memory Keeper.
For Ceciline's full Bio, please click here.
Lucy Hough - Director of Development
Lucy was thrilled to join the team at West Coast in 2008 as Director of Development as she aligns closely with West Coast’s vision that environmental protection must be enshrined in law. Lucy is inspired by the supporters of West Coast and honoured to help them take action on their own passion for the environment and to make the world a better place through philanthropy.
For Lucy's full Bio, please click here.
Ashley Webster - Communications Assistant and Database Manager
Ashley is an enthusiastic generalist, always learning and always trying to see problems from many sides in an effort to help people and organizations make continual progress. Ashley has a Bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Royal Roads University and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Urban Studies at Simon Fraser University.
For Ashley's full Bio, please click here.
Visiting Lawyers, Summer Law Students, Pro Bono Law Students, and Legal Interns
Interns from previous years can be seen here.
Each year, West Coast Environmental Law welcomes a number of Summer Law Students, pro bono law students who volunteer during the school year, as well as legal interns and visiting lawyers who may already have completed law school and are practicing in Canada or in other countries. We also work with interns who contribute to West Coast's communications and development initiatives. We couldn’t do our work without them!
Summer 2013:
Paloma Corrin: Paloma is enthusiastically joining West Coast Environmental Law after her second year of law school at the University of Ottawa. She has a BA in Environmental Studies and worked at the Wilderness Committee as an Assistant Campaigner where she mobilized Manitobans to protect their spectacular environment. At the Wilderness Committee she also campaigned to get forestry and mining activities out of Manitoba's provincial parks. At uOttawa, she participated in the Ecojustice Legal Clinic where her passion for wildlife helped her investigate the Species at Risk Act. This passion for animals also shines in her activity as the Coordinator of uOttawas first ever chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, where the group is working on a shark fin ban in Ottawa. As an avid adventure addict, Paloma will be found windsurfing when whitecaps cover English Bay. Over the summer she will also be found trying to hike and backpack to as many peaks in the region as possible!
Mathieu Poirier: Matt just finished his second year of law school at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he is also undertaking a MBA on a part-time basis at Saint Mary’s University. Originally, from New Brunswick, Matt completed his undergraduate education at the University of Waterloo where he received a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with Joint Honors in Psychology. He has worked on environmental projects with focuses ranging from wind farms and green building design to international conservation projects to student government initiatives. Along with being excited to join the West Coast team, Matt is looking forward to exploring British Columbia’s wilderness this summer.
Nivedhya (Nivi) Ramaswamy: Nivi recently completed her second year of law school at the University of British Columbia. While at law school, she finished first in the 2012 UBC Environmental Law Negotiation Competition and third in the 2013 US Environmental Law Negotiation Competition. Prior to law school, Nivi served as an Environmental Engineer in Boston and worked on remediating contaminated sites. She also volunteered with the youth NGO SustainUS and served on delegations to the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations and Sustainable Development Conferences. Nivi was born and raised in India where she completed her Bachelor of Civil Engineering before moving to the United States to pursue her Master of Environmental Engineering from Georgia Tech (Atlanta). She is thrilled to be part of the dedicated team at West Coast Environmental Law, which seeks to protect BC’s environment her beloved new home. Inher spare time, Nivi enjoys dancing, biking and swimming.
Erik Thorsteinsson: Erik is a recent graduate of the University of British Columbia. While at UBC, he studied International Relations with a focus in international security, diplomacy, and development. Erik grew up in Maple Ridge, B.C., just outside the city of Vancouver, but has spent the last few years studying and working in the city itself.
Erik is working at West Coast Environmental Law as a communications intern, but plans to go on to law school. He aspires to work in international development and on humanitarian issues. He is excited to help out West Coast provide legal advocacy to those that need it the most.
Sarah Ure: Sarah just recently completed her second year of law school at the University of Victoria. She has been involved in the UVic’s Environmental Law clinic and club, and has sat on the executive board as an events coordinator and upper year rep. Sarah grew upin Calgary, where she also received her two undergraduate degrees in Psychology and English. She fled west when she got the chance, and thoroughly enjoys the ocean views and the hilly runs. When law school gives her a break, she enjoys exploring the coast, the country and the world. After visiting more than thirty countries, she is still awed by the beauty of the British Columbia coast, and is thrilled to be part of an amazing organization that seeks to protect it. Along with traveling, Sarah spends her time running, hiking, doing yoga, and playing music.