Our Staff

With more than fifty years of collective experience in environmental and land use law matters, our lawyers are recognized leaders in their field.

great blue heron

ELC attorneys have experience in litigating cases in a variety of forums from federal and state court to administrative law proceedings. We also frequently appear before governmental decision-making bodies from state water management districts to county commissions. Our lawyers maintain a high profile, as authors of Op Ed pieces, legal articles and position papers, and as speakers at conferences and seminars. Our work has been featured in numerous news articles and garnered significant awards and recognition.

Lisa Interlandi

Lisa Interlandi

Executive Director

Lisa oversees the organization’s programs and strategic direction. Her legal practice focuses on greater Everglades restoration issues, including implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and land use and environmental permitting decisions in Palm Beach County which impact Everglades restoration efforts.

Lisa Interlandi, Executive Director

Lisa oversees the organization’s programs and strategic direction. Her legal practice focuses on greater Everglades restoration issues, including implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and land use and environmental permitting decisions in Palm Beach County which impact Everglades restoration efforts.

Lisa previously served as Senior Staff Attorney for ELC, leading up the Center’s work in Palm Beach County. Before joining ELC, Lisa served as Assistant General Counsel with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee where she focused on state lands and natural resource litigation.

Lisa obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and graduated from the Florida State University College of Law, Magna cum Laude, in 1998. She is a member of the Florida Bar. Lisa was named the Everglades Coalition George M. Barley Conservationist of the Year in 2006. She resides in Palm Beach County with her husband and two children.

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ainsley

Ansley Samson

General Counsel

Ansley’s focus is on greater Everglades restoration issues, including implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the state and federal water laws that shape Everglades restoration efforts.

Ansley Samson, General Counsel

Ansley’s focus is on greater Everglades restoration issues, including implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the state and federal water laws that shape Everglades restoration efforts.

Before joining the Everglades Law Center and over almost 20 years of practicing environmental law, Ansley worked with Earthjustice, the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, and litigated cases under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Water Resources Development Act of 2000, and Administrative Procedure Act, as well as various state environmental laws. She has taught environmental litigation as an adjunct at Florida State College of Law and Duke University Law School.

Ansley graduated with honors from Yale College in 1990, with a B.A. in Literature and Studies in the Environment, and received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1996, also with honors. She is a member of the Florida, North Carolina, and New York Bars. A native Floridian (and the daughter and granddaughter of native Floridians), she finds herself in Brooklyn, having raised two native New Yorkers with her husband. Ansley received the 2023 Everglades Coalition Conservationist of the Year Award.

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Elizabeth Fata Carpenter

Elizabeth Fata Carpenter

Managing Attorney

Elizabeth Fata Carpenter is a Managing Attorney with the Everglades Law Center. She focuses her practice on greater Everglades restoration issues, including implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and environmental issues in South Florida impacting communities and the natural and built environments.

Elizabeth Fata Carpenter, Managing Attorney

Elizabeth Fata Carpenter is a Managing Attorney with the Everglades Law Center. She focuses her practice on greater Everglades restoration issues, including implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and environmental issues in South Florida impacting communities and the natural and built environments.

Elizabeth is a native Floridian and grew up along the Indian River Lagoon. Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Miami, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif. While in law school, Elizabeth was the managing editor of the International and Comparative Law Review and a member of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board. Elizabeth also served as a fellow in the Environmental Justice Clinic.

Before joining the Everglades Law Center, Elizabeth spent time providing environmental education at Oregon Caves National Monument, working with salmon aquaculture in Kodiak, Alaska, and implementing environmental justice efforts in Miami-Dade County. Elizabeth also spent three years litigating complex business and commercial matters as an Associate Attorney at Cozen O’Connor.

Elizabeth is the Chair of the Village of El Portal’s Sustainability & Resiliency Task Force, represents the Village of El Portal as a member of the Project Delivery Team for a Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project, and is the 2020 Village of El Portal Citizen of the Year.

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kelii dore

Kelli Doré

Operations Director

Kelli Doré brings over 17 years of business operations experience with small to mid-size organizations in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Her experience encompasses operations and project management, change management, organizational development and corporate communications. 

Kelli Doré, Operations Director

Kelli Doré brings over 17 years of business operations experience with small to mid-size organizations in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Her experience encompasses operations and project management, change management, organizational development and corporate communications. In addition, Kelli brings her expertise in partnering with leadership teams, maintaining focus on the goals, while maximizing staff and community engagement.

Kelli graduated from Salem State College, with a B.A. in English and Communications, and received her Master’s Degree in Communication Management, with a focus on Corporate Communications, from the University of Southern California.

Kelli is currently working on her Master of Science in Natural Resource Policy and Administration from the University of Florida’s Forest Resources and Conservation program. Kelli also Chairs the Everglades Coalition’s Equity and Community Engagement Committee. 

In addition to her “day job,” Kelli works with animal rescue organizations, serves on her local food pantry board and is actively engaged in programs supporting community welfare.  Kelli also enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, enjoying a day at the beach or gardening with her family.

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All ELC attorneys are licensed to practice in the State of Florida.
Ansley Samson is also licensed to practice in North Carolina and New York.

Available Job Opportunities

Everglades Law Center Seeks Junior/Mid-Level Attorney

The Everglades Law Center seeks an attorney with 1-3 years of experience to work on issues affecting the greater Everglades ecosystem and Miami-Dade County.  This attorney will join a unique and dynamic team of highly experienced attorneys and public advocates committed to advancing the restoration of America’s Everglades and protecting south Florida’s unique ecosystems. ELC offers a working environment that is flexible and responsive to not only changing environmental issues, but also the interests and expertise of its attorneys.

What We Do:  For more than 25 years, the Everglades Law Center has been a leading voice in the protection of South Florida’s environment and communities.  ELC represents more than 30 national, state, and local environmental organizations focused on advancing Everglades restoration and improving the natural and human environment of South Florida.  ELC attorneys use advocacy, negotiation, and when necessary, litigation, to achieve these goals.

What Our Team Needs:  The attorney will work with ELC’s senior staff in advancing restoration and environmental protection goals, especially in the southern Everglades and Miami-Dade County.  The attorney will join another Miami based attorney with a hybrid working model likely involving one flexible in-office day a week. A fair amount of local travel is required, particularly in Miami-Dade County but also throughout southern Florida.

Detailed Description of Position Scope:

  • Programmatic Non-litigation
    • Work on assigned projects related to Everglades restoration, issues of regional significance, and state-wide priorities
      • Liaison with leads of other organizations on assigned projects
      • Follow progress of all projects, including attending public meetings
      • Provide comments, comment letters, and advocacy as needed at relevant public meetings
      • Draft and research legal questions related to projects
      • Be responsive to needs of partner organizations and clients
    • Keep apprised of new environmental developments in regional area by, but not limited to, networking, attending local meetings, and engaging in outreach
  • Programmatic Litigation
    • Assist lead attorney on litigation matters
    • Assist with legal research and drafting of litigation documents
    • Assist with the management of case schedule, deadlines, and tasks
    • Perform legal administration tasks including formatting, compliance with procedural rules, and filing
  • Regional Networking
    • Attend local meetings and events
    • Maintain local networks and relationships with regional law schools
    • Provide regional content for social media
  • Administration
    • Assist with administrative tasks and fundraising/grant applications
    • Prepare memoranda and summaries about project work

Who We Are Looking For:  We are seeking an attorney with 1-3 years of legal experience.  The ideal candidate will have experience working within the nonprofit or governmental sector, a strong background in environmental law, and the ability to work closely with attorneys and other experts and advocates on a variety of legal, policy, and administrative matters. Familiarity with Florida and federal environmental statutes including the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act is a plus.  We are interested in someone with a solid professional and/or law school record, strong writing skills, and sound communication and interpersonal skills.  Fundraising and litigation experience is also a plus.  Above all, the attorney must have a passion for protecting the environment and be committed  to studying and practicing environmental law in the public interest.  Applicants must be admitted to the Florida Bar.

Compensation:  $65,000-$73,000 starting salary depending on experience.

Benefits: 

  • 401(k) with 3% company contribution
  • Coverage under the organizational Worker’s Compensation and Professional Liability Policy
  • Generous time off policy
  • Florida Bar Dues and CLE credits paid for
  • Company laptop

We are considering additions to this benefit package to be effective in 2023.

Location: South Florida; preferably in Miami-Dade County.

How To Apply: Please send a cover letter sharing why you’d like to join the Everglades Law Center Team, a resume, 2 professional references and a writing sample to:

Kelli Dore
Operations Director
Everglades Law Center

Kelli@evergladeslaw.org

Please no phone calls.  Interviews will be conducted with the most qualified candidates.  To learn more about the Everglades Law Center please visit us at www.evergladeslaw.org or our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.

EOE Statement:

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Summer Internship

The Everglades Law Center is accepting applications for an summer internship for 8-10 weeks during June-August 2023. This is an unpaid position. Law students who have completed their first or second year of law school are eligible to apply.

What We Do:  For more than 25 years, the Everglades Law Center has been a leading voice in the protection of South Florida’s environment and communities. ELC represents more than 30 national, state, and local environmental organizations focused on advancing Everglades restoration and improving the natural and human environment of South Florida. ELC attorneys use advocacy, negotiation, and when necessary, litigation, to achieve these goals. 

The Internship:  The Internship is an educational experience, and interns will receive no financial benefits and/or compensation from Everglades Law Center; many law schools provide a stipend to their students participating in public interest summer law internships. Students would be responsible for securing any needed funding or class credit on their own, but ELC can facilitate compliance with any funding or credit requirements.

 

Summer interns are provided opportunities to participate in a broad range of issues and activities as part of our practice. Past interns have attended court hearings and public meetings addressing environmental, growth management, and Everglades restoration issues. They participate in regular meetings, in person and over remote platforms, with other environmental advocates and partner groups. Importantly, they also receive a “summer project,” which is a broad legal research question relevant to current ELC cases. We ask that our summer interns make time to research and write a memo over the course of their summer answering the question. In the recent past, our interns have researched and produced memos evaluating different aspects of state and federal municipal stormwater law and the intersection of law and science related to protection of a fish species.

Location:  The internship may be fully remote or, possibly, hybrid, with one day in an office in Miami.

If you are interested in applying, please fill out the form HERE.