معرفی
William John Snape III serves as Professor and Director of the Program on Environmental and Energy Law (PEEL) at American University Washington College of Law, bringing over 30 years of environmental legal advocacy experience. Previously Vice President and Chief Counsel at Defenders of Wildlife, he joined AU in 2007 and served as Assistant Dean for Adjunct Faculty from 2016-2024. His current affiliations include the Center for Biological Diversity (as counsel) and U.S. Climate Action Network.
His research centers on climate litigation, environmental justice, and conservation, with specific expertise in:
- Climate security implications of fossil fuel trade
- Endangered Species Act enforcement (e.g., horseshoe crab protection)
- Indigenous sovereignty in climate cases
- Water conservation litigation
- Environmental justice policy development
Professor Snape's 2024 publications demonstrate consistent focus on actionable climate policy, with commentary on COP29 mechanisms and analysis of legal persecution in climate advocacy. His work bridges academic scholarship and direct legal intervention, particularly in biodiversity conservation and energy transition frameworks.
Award recognition includes:
- 2022 AU Faculty Award for Service
- Editorship of 'Biodiversity and the Law' (Island Press)
Student development occurs through the Environmental Justice Community Lawyering Fellowship (six recipients in 2023) and PEEL's summer stipend program, providing hands-on experience in federal litigation and conservation advocacy. His mentorship emphasizes practical application at the civil rights/environmental protection intersection, with students participating in agency visits and field conservation work.
As PEEL Director, Snape leads initiatives connecting academic research to real-world impact, including the private land conservation easement database and tribal representation in national climate cases. The program maintains active collaboration with environmental NGOs while developing next-generation legal strategies for climate mitigation.
