Hugh Wilkins

Staff Lawyer, Hugh Wilkins

As global warming becomes a more urgent crisis by the day, lawyer Hugh Wilkins is stepping up and becoming one of Canada’s leading advocates for taking action to combat global warming. Joining Ecojustice’s Toronto office in May 2006, Ecojustice is most fortunate to have Hugh’s expertise in international law, climate change and municipal law issues, and his commitment to making a difference.

During his law school days at Queen’s University, Hugh developed an interest in environmental issues. This would lead to his introduction to Ecojustice, where he started as a volunteer. “My first experience with Ecojustice really piqued my interest in environmental law and policy and opened my eyes to what potentially rewarding work was out there in this area,” says Hugh.

After completing his law degree, Hugh practiced civil litigation and administrative law at a firm in downtown Toronto. But his passion for contributing to helping the environment remained undeniable. So he made an ambitious decision to leave the continent to study environmental law at the London School of Economics, a pivotal turning point. While there, he was impressed with the commitment that many Europeans expressed toward the environment, particular combating global warming.

Hugh’s international law expertise led him to work at the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) in London and representing the Marshall Islands at international climate change talks in 2001. He edits an international law journal (Review of European Community and International Environmental Law) and worked as a policy advisor for WWF-International for several years. He currently holds the position of Coordinating Lawyer of the Toronto office.

In addition to his work on global warming and energy issues, Hugh is also working on issues related to sustainable communities and protection of the greenbelt area around Toronto, and has continued to push for greater transparency in work of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. “It is fantastic to be here at Ecojustice,” says Hugh. “It is an incredibly effective organization at achieving results on the ground and advancing Canadian environmental law. I am glad to be a part of it.”