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​​​​​​​​​Focus Areas

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Susan’s legal work intersects with some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges—including climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and ecological governance. She views these not only as crises but as opportunities to unlock stronger legal frameworks that protect human and environmental rights for present and future generations—for People, for Planet, and for Prosperity.

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She collaborates with global experts, policymakers, and campaigners to develop forward-thinking legal strategies that orientate to the wider public interest, while maintaining a hands-on approach at the grassroots level to deliver real and lasting change.​

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Signature Outcomes

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Susan has delivered impact across Europe and beyond, including:

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• Led a pan-European energy transition and industrial emissions enforcement portfolio (EU-28 and Türkiye) as Project Lead at ClientEarth. This involved International Law, EU Law, Human Rights Law, and engagement with EU institutions, national ministries, NGOs, academia, and field experts.

• Steered Scotland’s landmark transposition of the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)—liaising across Devolved Government and Whitehall departments (and with a wide range of stakeholders), securing parliamentary approvals despite industry pushback, and setting a benchmark for integrated water and climate governance.

• Pioneered greenwashing litigation and ESG accountability frameworks now replicated across multiple jurisdictions globally.

• Advanced rights-based approaches to environmental protection, including the Right to a Healthy Environment and the Rights of Nature.

• Brokered an innovative landfill gas-to-energy public–private partnership, unlocking six-figure municipal revenues, and ~30,000 tCO₂ savings.

• Advised governments and boards on systemic risk, crisis governance, and resilience frameworks for floods, droughts, and ecological shocks.

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Thought Leadership and Global Voice

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Susan's work focuses on advancing Earth Law and jurisprudential shifts necessary to address the triple ecological crisis facing the planet, integrating environmental rights, human rights, and the Rights of Nature. She is regularly invited to speak on global platforms, including participating in the Stockholm+50 Leadership Dialogues, multiple UN COPs, compliance committees, and international dialogues on critical minerals, plastics, and ecological governance. Highlights include:

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• Invited speaker, Stockholm +50 Leadership Dialogues (2022).

• Contributor, IUCN World Declaration on Environmental Rule of Law (Brazil, 2016).

• Advocated for the Rights of Nature on a global stage as UN Expert (Harmony with Nature), including at the UN Trusteeship Council and SDG Events (UN HQ, NYC).

• Led EU-wide energy transition litigation at ClientEarth.

• Used existing law creatively to target unlawful and anti-competitive practices, including greenwashing frameworks and advertising standards.

• Invited to give oral evidence to the Environment and Audit Committee (UK House of Commons) on post-Brexit safeguarding.

• Collaborated with world-renowned experts (e.g., at the Stockholm Resilience Centre) to assess legal frameworks addressing Planetary Boundaries (LLM).

• Founded Living Law Futures to mentor the next generation of Earth-system lawyers.

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Broader role in public legal discourse (e.g., conferences, keynotes, and legal training initiatives).

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She has appeared before Parliamentary committees and similar evidence sessions and advised governments and international bodies on climate and environmental governance. ​​​Her work is featured in international media outlets, including the Financial Times, The Guardian, and BBC.

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“As a first-generation lawyer, I strive to break down barriers to accessing law and to show the value a critical legal perspective brings to policy and campaigning.”

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​​​​Professional and Expert Affiliations​​

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• Law Society of Scotland — Solicitor (Scottish Qualified, 2007–).

• UN Harmony with Nature (Earth Jurisprudence) — Legal Expert (2018–).

• IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law — Expert Member (2016–).

• UN Minamata Convention on Mercury — Accredited Observer (2017–).

• ILAS HUFS Institute of Latin American Studies — Affiliate (2022–).

• Rights of Nature Project, University of Göteborg — Advisor (2023–).

• UN Right to a Healthy Environment Coalition — Member.

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Recognitions

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Her leadership has been recognised with multiple awards, including:

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• Best Environmental Law Specialist, UK — Global 100 (2020–2024).

• Excellence in Legal Services Achievement of the Year — MJ Awards (Finalist).

• Leading Environmental Law Expert — Scottish Enterprise Awards (Multi-year).

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Education and Languages

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• LL.M., International Environmental Law, Stockholm University. Thesis: International Law in the Anthropocene, Within Planetary Boundaries [See CV further].

• English (native); Norwegian; French (SQA); Swedish (basic); Turkish (basic).​​

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