Our Leadership
Meet the Earth Advocates
The Board of Directors of the Consortium for Ecological Law brings together leading environmental law scholars, international diplomats, and ecological justice advocates. With more than a century of combined experience at the forefront of international environmental law and policy, the Board provides strategic leadership, scholarly expertise, and institutional credibility that guide and strengthen all aspects of the Consortium’s work.
Co-Founder Richard L. Ottinger (1929–2026)
Professor Richard L. Ottinger was Dean Emeritus of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and one of the most consequential environmental law legislators in United States history. He served eight terms in the House of Representatives (1965–1971 and 1975–1984), founded the Pace Energy and Climate Center, and co-founded the Consortium for Ecological Law.
Professor Ottinger served as Vice President of the Consortium for Ecological Law until his passing on February 16, 2026, at the age of 98. Just months before his death, he delivered a spirited call for energy law reform and climate sanity at the Consortium for Ecological Law’s conference in Belém for COP30.
The Consortium for Ecological Law rededicates itself to carrying on his mission.
The Breadth of Expertise Behind the Consortium for Ecological Law
- International Environmental Law
- Ocean and Coastal Law
- Climate Change Law and Policy
- Energy Law and Renewable Energy
- Rights of Nature and Earth Jurisprudence
- Sustainable Development Law and the SDGs
- United Nations Governance and Diplomacy
- Human Rights and Environmental Justice
- Indigenous and Community Governance
- Biodiversity and Protected Area Law
- Environmental Peacebuilding
- Transboundary Conservation
- Climate Finance
- Environmental Law Education
FAQs
Who leads the Consortium for Ecological Law?
The Consortium for Ecological Law is led by President and Chairman Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law Emeritus at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The Executive Director is Professor Dr. Victor M. Tafur. The full board includes Professors Ann Powers, Narinder Kakar, Shakeel Kazmi, Elaine (Lan Yin) Hsiao, Dr. Catherine Tinker, and Mr. David O’Connor.
Who founded the Consortium for Ecological Law?
The Consortium for Ecological Law was co-founded by Professor Richard L. Ottinger, Dean Emeritus of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and former United States Congressman, who served as its Vice President until his passing on February 16, 2026, at the age of 98. Professor Nicholas A. Robinson continues to lead the Consortium for Ecological Law as President and Chairman.
What is the connection between the Consortium for Ecological Law and Pace University?
The Consortium for Ecological Law has deep institutional ties to Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law. Several board members — including Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, Professor Ann Powers, Professor Shakeel Kazmi, and Professor Dr. Victor M. Tafur — are current or emerita faculty at Pace Law. The Consortium also collaborates with Pace University’s Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies and the Pace Energy and Climate Center.