Layla Hughes

Ms. Hughes has 25 years of experience as an environmental lawyer, with an extensive background in oil and gas development in the Arctic and in representing conservation organizations and Alaska Native governments, tribes and organizations. She led the North Slope Borough’s successful challenge to Shell’s Arctic offshore drilling plans, was part of the legal team that won the first round of litigaton against the proposed Willow project and has been involved with other notable efforts including administrative advocacy after the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout and legal strategy opposing the Pebble Mine.

Ms. Hughes combines strong technical and scientific knowledge with a deep understanding of legal and administrative processes, allowing her to identify effective and pragmatic ways to protect the natural environment. Having lived in the Arctic and worked in international law in Geneva, Ms. Hughes’ unique perspective connects the priciples of human rights with the practical understanding of how resource develoment decisions uphold, or infringe upon, those rights in local communities.