Bern Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Bern Johnson, ELAW Executive Director, will be presented with the 2025 David Brower Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC).

The award is presented to activists and attorneys who exemplify the spirit and accomplishments of Brower, one of the most important environmentalists of the second half of the 20th century. Brower served as Executive Director of the Sierra Club from 1952-1969 and won many victories protecting iconic U.S. landscapes before globalizing his focus and founding Friends of the Earth, which has become a force for good all over the world. 

“In 1991, Bern left his law practice in Seattle and took a leap of faith that ELAW, then just a twinkle in the eye of the founders, would also become a global force for good,” says Lori Maddox, ELAW Associate Director. “Over the last 34 years, ELAW has flourished thanks to Bern’s leadership, calm hand, and the easy rapport he has with colleagues all over the world. Like Brower, Bern embodies vision, flexibility, creativity and kindness. We’re fortunate to work with him!”

The awards ceremony will take place at the University of Oregon on Sunday, March 2nd at 2:45 pm, immediately after the PIELC final keynote address in the Erb Memorial Union Ballroom.

Congratulations Bern!

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

P.S. ELAW Fellows are arriving from Slovakia and Poland Tuesday night! Watch for an ELAW Bulletin next week with more information about these Fellows and other ELAW partners who will be in Eugene to participate in PIELC.