Mark Sabath

Senior Attorney

Mark engages in litigation and advocacy to protect clean water, advance environmental justice, and fight harmful fossil fuel infrastructure. He has served as lead counsel representing conservation groups challenging Clean Water Act rollbacks and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the now-canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. He also coordinates SELC’s work to promote environmental justice in Virginia.

“It took a huge team effort to bring about the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline,” Mark says. “Whether in government or at a non-profit organization like SELC, public interest environmental law is all I’ve ever wanted to do with my career.

I especially appreciate that SELC takes on challenges that are national in scope while staying focused on the people and places of our region.

Mark Sabath

Prior to joining SELC in 2018, Mark served as senior attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Enforcement Section. He litigated cases under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, known as CERCLA, or Superfund.  

Based in the D.C. area, Mark savors getaways to Shenandoah National Park. “It’s beautiful and accessible, and where I’ve gone to escape into the woods,” he says. 

Previous experience

• U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Enforcement Section, senior attorney
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, clerk
• J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude; Harvard Environmental Law Review, technical editor 
• A.B., Princeton University, with honors 
• With SELC since 2018