Edwin LaMair: Transforming Passion into Purpose

Finding His Passion

Even before his current role at the Environmental Defense Fund, Edwin LaMair, JD’20, has always been involved with conservation and the outdoors. He’s visited over twenty countries, led international outdoor education trips, and dreams of skiing in South America. He even survived an avalanche. 

But, for LaMair, it’s not only about the adventure. It’s about protecting the environment for generations to come. 

Just ask him about Costa Rica: "Costa Rica is one of my favorite places to go. They’re really out front on environmental issues and have a thriving economy centered on eco-tourism. They’re an important model.”

Or the Virgin Islands, where he clerked for a year. Or his countless other travel experiences. No matter the story, it’s clear that what LaMair values most is humans’ relationship with the environment. In fact, it was on his travels when he realized the need to address climate change. 

“During those experiences, I saw a lot of environmental degradation and saw how global issues could impact and harm communities and ecosystems around the world. And I was motivated to try and do something about that.”

Because so many of these issues require broadscale policy changes and involve the legal system, attending law school made a lot of sense. Enrolling at the Sturm College of Law – with its year-long Environmental Law Clinic – made even more sense.

And so LaMair went to law school with the goal of practicing environmental law. 

He hasn’t looked back since.

Finding His People

When asked about a favorite memory from law school, LaMair immediately responds: “Camping.” 

More specifically, camping with the Environmental Law Clinic.

“It was in August, before school started, at Chatfield Reservoir. At the time, the Environmental Law Clinic had a case involving Chatfield, so we got to camp on the banks of the reservoir to learn about the issues, meet all the other clinic students, and get matched with our clinic partners.”

“That experience was when I knew I had finally found my people in law school” – people he remains connected with to this day. His community.

In addition to finding his people in the Environmental Law Clinic, LaMair also gained practical experience and meaningful exposure to substantive law like the Clean Air Act.

“The clinic allowed me to see what an environmental lawyer does on a day-to-day-basis, and I think that was really helpful for me. I realized that I liked doing it and that it was interesting. I also learned how important cross-disciplinary work is in environmental law. Getting to see that firsthand as a 2L was a super valuable experience that helped to launch my career.”

Following the clinic, LaMair went on to pursue valuable externship experiences and take relevant subject-matter courses, all of which prepared him to be a practicing environmental lawyer. 

In this sense, LaMair took his own advice: “I would encourage students to take advantage of all the experiential opportunities at DU. The clinic, the externship programs, the practicing adjuncts, and the specialized environmental classes allow students to build their resume so it’s clear that they’re really interested in environmental law and qualified to dive in.”

These are the things that LaMair credits as helping him get his start in the world of environmental lawyering.

Since then, he has made a big impact.

Finding His Purpose

“I’ve always been very outcome-oriented in my career path. I always want to be doing what is most effective at reducing climate change.” 

Each day at the Environmental Defense Fund propels LaMair in this pursuit. From trying to limit air pollution and greenhouse gases to regulatory advocacy and litigation, LaMair’s days are filled with work that gives him purpose.

When asked about his professional accomplishments, however, one stands out among the rest.

“The thing that stands out to me the most is the work that my team did during the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act two years ago, which – despite its name – is really the biggest piece of federal climate legislation that the U.S. has ever passed.”

According to LaMair, this legislation included billions of dollars toward clean energy solutions. It also amended the Clean Air Act and created pollution fees for oil and gas companies, among other groundbreaking provisions.

“I was able to get involved in that process through the legislative drafting and all of the lobbying that went on. There were a lot of late nights.”

The late nights paid off.

“We have been reaping the benefits ever since. There’s been tons of investment into communities across the country for things like electric school buses, wind, and solar.”

Put simply: “It was the biggest accomplishment for many in the climate movement in the last decade or so. I was lucky to be a part of it so early in my career.”

After witnessing such a great success so early on in his career, it might seem difficult to maintain momentum. But LaMair remains motivated.

“There’s a lot of work to ensure we preserve a livable climate. As long as that’s what I’m working toward, I consider it successful.”