Professional Profile

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Susan D. Eilertsen-Shaw is a globally recognised international environmental and human rights lawyer, UN Legal Expert (Earth Jurisprudence) (2018–) and Scottish-qualified solicitor (2007–). She is also an Expert Member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (2015–). ​She founded Living Law® (2012–), Scotland's first public interest environmental law firm—to address critical gaps in environmental rule of law, and advance rights-based approaches to ecological protection and governance. [See Biography for signature outcomes, career highlights and expert affiliation networks].

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A strategic legal advisor and thought leader, Susan has two decades of progressive, cross-sector experience at the intersection of law, governance, and systemic reform. ​​Her work combines legal excellence with forward-looking, rights-based methodologies—bridging law, science, and policy to secure resilient and enforceable solutions that protect both people and the planet. She has led multi-jurisdiction litigation, high-level multilateral diplomacy, compliance oversight, and governance reform. Susan has contributed to advancing the Environmental Rule of Law, access to justice, and the recognition of third-generation rights domestically and at global level.

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Susan's career path reflects a rare blend of strategic law reform, litigation leadership, multilateral diplomacy, and innovative public interest law, underpinned by rigorous academic training—including an LLM in International Environmental Law (Stockholm, 2014). Her published work and practice are cited in the development of Earth Law, Environmental Democracy, the Rights of Nature, and ecological jurisprudence. Her systemic approach draws on transboundary environmental law, planetary boundaries, and resilience thinking to shape Ecovation frameworks that are durable, transformative, and enforceable.

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Whether advising on treaty compliance, corporate accountability, or regulatory design, Susan’s hallmark is a commitment to turn complex legal challenges into practical, rights-based outcomes and opportunities that work for present and future generations. ​

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Core Practice Areas ​​​​​​​​​​​

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• Environmental & Climate Law – Strategic litigation, regulatory compliance, and advisory work advancing environmental justice, emissions control, and ecological governance.

• Public & Corporate Accountability – Legal frameworks for governance reform, ESG compliance, and corporate greenwashing, reputation protection and accountability.

• Treaty & International Law – Expertise in UN conventions, MEAs, and multilateral legal frameworks integrating environmental rights and third-generation rights.

• Planning & Development Law – Advisory and dispute resolution support for planning, land use, and sustainable development projects.

• Rights-Based Legal Strategies – Designing forward-looking, enforceable interventions that protect human rights, biodiversity, and the Rights of Nature.

• Multilateral Policy & Governance – Legal support for governments, NGOs, and institutions navigating systemic reform, treaty compliance, and institutional capacity building.

[See Practice Areas further]

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Professional Journey​

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Founder & Managing Partner | Living Law® | Scotland (2012–Present)

• Established Scotland’s first public interest environmental law firm, delivering award-winning legal innovation that advances environmental democracy, public accountability, and transformative law.

• Leads litigation, regulatory compliance, treaty governance, and advisory mandates with global outreach.

• Pioneered Ecovation in Law—integrating science, rights, and resilience into enforceable frameworks.

• Collaborates with UN bodies, governments, and international institutions and advises clients on systemic governance reform and legal empowerment.

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Project Leader, EU Energy Transition | ClientEarth | London & EU (2015–2017)

• Led a seven-figure EU-wide strategic litigation and advocacy project, accelerating the EU Energy transition (coal phase-out, enforcing industrial emissions law, and challenging fossil fuel subsidies).

• Built and managed decentralised legal teams across the EU28 + Turkey, leveraging civil society activity.

• Undertook missions with National Legal Experts engaging with national ministries, think-tanks and academia across multiple EU member states (Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, UK) and Turkey, aligning litigation and regulatory reform with EU climate and energy law and Human Rights.

• Engaging directly with the European Commission, Parliament, national ministries, and civil society networks to shape legal strategies and policy reform.

• Authored legal pleadings and compliance submissions and policy briefs integrating legal, scientific and economic expertise.

• Coordinated cross-border coalitions to secure systemic reform in climate and energy law.

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Senior Solicitor | Commercial Practice (2012)

Planning and Environmental Law Department. Advising private-sector and institutional clients on regulatory compliance, development consent, and dispute resolution—and supporting the firm's partners with same.

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Solicitor (and Trainee Solicitor prior) | Local Government (2007–2012)

• Broad legal portfolio covering commercial services, procurement, environmental regulation, and governance working with Elected Members, Officers and Committees.

• Negotiated landmark landfill-to-energy public–private partnership from deadlock, reducing 30,000+ tCO₂ while generating significant municipal revenue.

• Gained diverse in-house experience across regulatory, corporate, and litigation contexts.

• Member of CEO Leadership and Direction working group on business transformation. Recognised through MJ Awards.

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Legal Policy Officer | Scottish Government | Edinburgh (2004–2007)

• Led implementation of projects supporting the EU Water Framework Directive implementation, the most significant environmental reform in thirty years. 

• Drafted legislation, regulations, and policy memoranda; advised cross-departmental officials and Ministers.

• Stagiaire Office of Solicitor to the Scottish Executive: cross-departmental research including UK and Scottish Climate Change Bills. 

• Seconded SEPA advisor (part).

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​Education

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In 2014, Susan earned an LL.M. in International Environmental Law from Stockholm University, with her Master thesis “International Law in the Anthropocene: Within Planetary Boundaries” informed by the world-leading work of the Stockholm Resilience Centre.

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• LL.M. International Environmental Law | Stockholm University (2014) (Grade: VG)

• Diploma Professional Legal Practice (DipLP) | University of Edinburgh (2007) (Public Admin: Top 10%)

• LL.B. (Hons), Bachelor of Laws | University of Dundee (2004), (Grade: 2:1)
  Dissertation: “Is Sustainable Development of Living Marine Resources Possible?” (First-class research report).

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​​​​​Susan's experience includes representation and appearances before UN, EU, national regulatory and judicial fora, where she has advocated to re-orientate legal frameworks for a more sustainable and just future. This has included securing precedent-setting outcomes.​​

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​​​​​Ecovation for a Living Planet​

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Through Living Law®, Susan continues to shape transformative legal solutions that integrate rights, resilience, and justice—for people, for planet, for prosperity. Whether you need expert legal guidance, strategic advice, or advocacy support, Living Law is here to support you.

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Arrange a consultation.

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contact@livinglaw.co.uk
+44 (0)7929 996105
www.livinglaw.co.uk​

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