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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 sees these not just 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.

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She regularly collaborates with global experts, policymakers, and campaigners to develop forward-thinking legal strategies that orientate to the wider public interest, while keeping a hands on approach at the grass-roots 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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• Leading a pan-European energy transition and industrial emissions enforcement portfolio (EU-28 + Turkey) as Project Lead at ClientEarth. This work involved International Law; EU law; Human Rights Law and engagement with EU Institutions, National Ministries, NGOs, Academia and Experts across the fields.

• Steering 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.

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

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

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

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

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Thought Leadership & 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, such as the integration of environmental and human rights and the rights of Nature. She is regularly invited to speak on global platforms, including participating in the Leadership Dialogues at Stockholm+50, multiple UN COPs, compliance committees, and international dialogues on critical minerals, plastics, and ecological governance. Highlights include:

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

• Contributing to the IUCN World Declaration on Environmental Rule of Law (Brazil, 2016).

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

• Leading EU-wide energy transition litigation at ClientEarth, spearheading innovative legal actions.

• Using existing law in new and creative ways to target unlawful and anti-competitive practices, such as  greenwashing frameworks and advertising standards.

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

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

• Founding Living Law Futures to mentor the next generation of Earth-system Lawyers.

• 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.

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Her work is featured in prominent international media outlets, such as 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–)

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

• Rights of Nature Project, University of Gothenburg — 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

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Education & Languages:

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

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

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​​​​What Clients Have Said​:

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“Susan is outstanding at getting to grips with complex issues and rationalising them in a way the client can immediately understand.”

“She is well capable of leading the way in her chosen fields of expertise whilst listening to and taking account of related professional/technical advice.”

“She is always willing to listen to and take on board the client’s technical knowledge of the problem.”

“Susan sets herself very high working standards.”

“She is persistent and drives complex issues through to a satisfactory conclusion.”

“Susan is a true professional and a pleasure to work with — persistent, strategic, and highly knowledgeable.

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