EELP News

Carrie Jenks Joins HLS Environmental and Energy Law Program as Executive Director


Carrie Jenks will join the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program in May as Executive Director. Jenks has over fifteen years of legal and policy expertise in climate and environmental law, working with the private sector, non-profit organizations, and policymakers to identify common ground, build strategic alliances, and collaboratively advance policy solutions that are legally durable.

EELP Faculty Director Jody Freeman says, “We are thrilled that Carrie is joining us. Her deep knowledge of climate and energy policy, and her experience working with stakeholders is a perfect fit for EELP. She will be a terrific leader for EELP’s next growth phase.”

Jenks comes to EELP from M.J. Bradley & Associates (MJB&A). In her role as Director of the Clean Energy Group, the Energy Strategy Coalition, and the Permitting and Infrastructure Coalition, she worked with power sector companies to advance effective environmental and clean energy policy.

Carrie says, “I am excited to be joining the EELP team at a time when the Biden Administration has set a goal to achieve net-zero US greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. EELP plays a critical role in designing effective state and federal policies to support the clean energy transition, by helping to ensure they are implementable and legally resilient.”

Jenks’s experience convening both non-profit and corporate clients will be instrumental to EELP’s work with public and private stakeholders to advance climate and clean energy solutions, promote sustainability, and improve environmental protection and public health.

Professor Richard Lazarus calls the appointment “spectacular.” “Carrie is more than just one of the nation’s leading experts on climate and energy policy. In a policy area often riddled with conflict and controversy, Carrie is highly respected by all, with a well-deserved reputation for careful and rigorous analysis, professional integrity, and fair-mindedness.”

Prior to her work with MJB&A, Jenks was an associate in the environmental groups at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in Washington, DC and at Goodwin Procter LLP in Boston, MA.

Jenks will work with Professors Jody Freeman and Richard Lazarus, the EELP team, and the program’s student researchers to pursue EELP’s mission.