Ryan Anderson

Associate Attorney

Ryan drafts motions and briefs, and conducts legal research, developing case strategies and legal arguments in SELC matters in her home state of Alabama. She lives and works in Birmingham, where she is originally from.

“I feel driven to protect my home,” Ryan said. “We are blessed with a wealth of natural resources in this state, but we also face a number of threats from polluting industries. These threats don’t just impact the natural beauty I grew up appreciating—they also threaten the health and safety of fellow Alabamians. I work for SELC not only to protect these natural resources, but also to work toward making Alabama a better place for all citizens.”

Ryan is most passionate about SELC’s environmental justice program. “There is still progress to be made in Alabama and across the region, but I am proud to work for an organization that prioritizes social justice and the right to a healthy environment for all,” she said.

Red Mountain Park is a favorite place for Ryan. “This is a historic iron-ore mining operation turned nature preserve that offers more than 16 miles of trails right next to downtown Birmingham,” she said. “This place is important to me because it offers space for a diverse range of people to connect with nature. It also provides me with hope that transitioning to an equitable, sustainable future is possible.”

Previous experience

• Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, student attorney
• J.D., Tulane University Law School; Tulane Environmental Law Journal, editor-in-chief
• B.A., University of Alabama, cum laude
• With SELC since 2021