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.

Rachel S. Forbes - Staff Counsel

Rachel's work at West Coast focuses on environmental assessment law reform, and other law and policy projects related to local government sustainability, natural resources and climate change. She joined the West Coast team in mid 2011.

For Rachel'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 couldn’t do our work without them! 

Fall 2012:

Taylor is in his final semester studying Criminology at SFU. Born in Toronto Ontario, Taylor moved to Vancouver at a young age where he discovered his love for the environment.

Taylor is passionate about all things fish. An avid angler dedicated to conservation, protection and enhancement of the Province’s fish and their habitat, Taylor sits on the Board of Directors for the Steelhead Society of B.C., where he has completed a number of conservation initiatives and habitat restoration projects for wild Salmon and Steelhead. Each season he takes pride raising and eventually releasing salmon fry at the Nelson Creek Hatchery, which he helps run for the West Vancouver Streamkeepers.

He is thrilled to join the West Coast team at a time when many of his most favourite rivers face impending destruction and is eager to help save what he so dearly loves. After graduation, he hopes to pursue law school so he can continue to fight for the conservation and protection of our environment.

Summer 2012:

Meaghan Lowe: Meaghan joins WCEL from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, where she recently completed her second year of studies.  Last year she worked with a Colombian NGO that assists Amazonian indigenous communities in securing cultural and environmental sustainability.  Meaghan is eager to apply this international experience to the domestic context and learn more about WCEL’s work.  She is also delighted to explore the rugged forests, ocean coasts and mountains of beautiful British Colombia.

Amanda Macdonald: Amanda just finished her second year of law school at the University of Victoria. She is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, but loves living on the west coast and enjoying the natural beauty that British Columbia has to offer. Amanda graduated from the University of Waterloo where she received a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Diploma in Environmental Assessment. During this time, she completed co-op placements where she worked on environmental initiatives at BC Hydro, Environment Canada, and the Regional Municipality of Peel.  Prior to law school she worked for a solar energy developer in Ontario, where she learned about the ability of renewable energy to drive sustainability. At UVic, Amanda has enjoyed getting involved with the Environmental Law Centre clinic and club executive as Project and Event coordinator. Amanda likes to spend her free time travelling, cooking, camping, crafting and hanging out on one of Vancouver’s beautiful beaches.

.Jessica MacDonald: Jessica is going into her second year of law school at the University of Calgary. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. During her final year of her undergraduate degree, she co-authored a report that helped to dissuade various municipalities from voting in favour of the proposed waste-to-energy facility in the Fraser Valley. After graduating, Jessica worked as a research assistant for the Sea Around Us Project at the University of British Columbia before starting law school. As a born and raised Vancouverite, Jessica is thrilled to be home and to have another summer filled with hikes and days at the beach.

Winter 2012:

Elizabeth (Lyb) Makin: Lyb is a final year law student from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She has taken numerous environmental law units and has become particularly interested in the points of intersection between the relationship of Indigenous people to their land and waters, and the conservation of biodiversity. In addition to her studies, Lyb has worked with several environmentally focussed non-government organizations, including time as a volunteer for Clean Himalaya in Rishikesh, India and as both a volunteer and researcher for The Wilderness Society, Australia. She is thrilled to be working as an intern for West Coast Environmental Law and looks forward to learning more about their work in protecting the beautiful natural environment of British Columbia and empowering its people to do the same.

Julia Martignoni: Julia is finishing her Law and Social Science degrees from Macquarie University, Australia, with an internship at WCEL. She is passionate about social justice and welcomes the opportunity to work in environmental law. Julia has volunteered and interned at several NGOs in Sydney, including: the Aboriginal Legal Service, the Nature Conservation Council, Macquarie Legal Centre, the Australian Innovation Exchange and NSW Legal Aid, as well as volunteering on organic farms throughout Europe. She loves bushwalking, hiking, gardening and travelling, and one day would like to work on transforming urban spaces into sustainable communities.

Nicole (Nikki) Petersen: Nikki grew up in Vancouver and now lives in Toronto where she is in her second year of law at Osgoode Hall Law School. She is participating in the Osgoode Aboriginal Clinical Intensive Program as a 2012 intern at West Coast Environmental Law. Nikki spent Summer 2011 as a legal volunteer in the Philippines through SALIGAN Alternative Law Centre, where she worked on indigenous peoples’ rights, agriculturalists’ rights and security of tenure for women among the urban poor. Nikki is excited to be representing Team Osgoode in WCEL’s world-premier Twitter Moot.

Communications Interns: 

Summer 2012:

Shohei Suzuki: Shohei finished his second year at Hosei university in Japan and now am studying in Vancouver. He is interested in global politics, particularly in the role of NGOs. He is working as a communication's intern at West Coast Environmental Law and is thankful for the great learning opportunity.

Afshana Dhanji: Afshana grew up in North Vancouver and now lives in Montreal where she is currently working on her undergraduate degree at McGill University. She is double majoring in Urban Systems and Economics and hopes to begin studying Urban Planning and Law after graduating. She is excited to be an intern for West Coast Environmental Law and can’t wait to learn more about their work in protecting the environment.    

Winter 2012:

Celine Lee: During her stint at Queen’s University, Celine (BSCH Biology) learned all about the environment.  She is thrilled to now be finding out how to protect it and is grateful to the West Coast team for taking her on!  When she’s not updating the WCEL Publications Database, Celine works as a waitress, takes art courses, and marvels at how beautiful Vancouver is – even in the rain.

Aurora Zhou: After graduating from Arizona State University, Aurora Zhou worked in BC Hydro as a procurement analyst prior to joining West Coast as a Development Volunteer.  She wishes to serve her community by using her experience in data consolidation and computer skills to further their cause in preserving the environment.

Pro Bono Students:

Aaron graduated in 2009 from the University of British Columbia with a BA in English Literature. He is currently a second-year JD student at UBC and a volunteer with Pro Bono Students Canada with a general interest in social justice. Although his time with WCEL is limited, he is excited to be working with the wonderful people and on the fascinating issues at the organization.