Deirdre Dlugoleski
Associate Attorney*
On SELC’s Regional Gas Team, Deirdre works in conjunction with SELC’s state offices to oppose new investment in gas infrastructure. Her legal and technical research builds institutional knowledge around gas and the associated infrastructure. She writes comments and briefs, and helps with litigating gas-related cases before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. Linking Virginia with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was one SELC success that inspires her.
“I’ve always admired SELC’s place-based focus,” Deirdre says. “Especially when working with communities on environmental justice issues, it’s a more honest, sustainable way to effect change. Plus, the South faces some of the most urgent environmental challenges in the country, and the cases SELC works on are important fights.”
Deirdre came to SELC from EarthRights International, an non-governmental non-profit organization that litigates in state and federal court in defense of human rights and environmental justice. A large part of her work focused on opposing the Line 3 oil pipeline project in Minnesota, which threatens Indigenous rights, water, and the climate.
Living in Charlottesville, Deirdre enjoys getting back to Asheville, where she visited family as she was growing up. “I have a lot of fond memories of the place,” she says. “I still love visiting – and the hiking is incredible!”
Previous experience
- EarthRights International, Bertha Justice Fellow
- J.D., New York University School of Law
- Fulbright Scholarship, India
- B.A., Yale University, Phi Beta Kappa
- With SELC since 2022