Environmental Defense Center Brings on New Staff

May 10, 2021

Santa Barbara — The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is pleased to announce the addition of Rachel Kondor as a Staff Attorney and Peter Jones as a Legal Fellow.  Ms. Kondor is well known to this community because she previously served as a District Representative for Congresswoman Lois Capps. In this role Ms. Kondor developed the Congresswoman’s legislation to designate wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, the Carrizo Plain National Monument, and the Condor National Recreational Trail in the Los Padres National Forest. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for environmental and tribal matters to Congressman Raúl Grijalva, staffing him in his role on the Natural Resources Committee and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. Ms. Kondor also has extensive experience working on environmental policy as an attorney and consultant for various nonprofit organizations.

Ms. Kondor completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona and received her Juris Doctor from Lewis and Clark Law School with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. She has served on the boards of several environmental nonprofits, including the California Wilderness Coalition, the Sky Island Alliance, and Natural Allies.

“We are so pleased to have Rachel join the EDC team,” said Linda Krop, Chief Counsel at EDC.  “Her background in federal environmental law and policy, especially her focus on natural resource and public lands law, as well as her knowledge of local issues, will help EDC serve our clients and our community in protecting our environment, our communities, and our climate. Rachel is already bringing her skills to help EDC and our clients preserve Naples and protect wildlife from the risks of new oil and gas development.”

Mr. Jones earned a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from Alfred University in New York, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. While in law school, Mr. Jones served as the Associate Editor of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law. He also worked as a Summer Law Associate at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law. 

Following his graduation, Mr. Jones was awarded a Catalyst Public Service Fellowship. As a Legal Fellow, Mr. Jones is an instrumental part of EDC’s legal team.  His primary focus thus far has been to ensure proper enforcement of state and federal clean water laws as they apply to onshore oil and gas operations.

“Peter brings strong legal and investigative skills to EDC,” said Krop. “His research has already identified additional opportunities to help ensure that oil and gas operations in our community do not pollute important watersheds and threaten water quality and wildlife.”

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The Environmental Defense Center protects and enhances the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action and works primarily within Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Since 1977, EDC has empowered community-based organizations to advance environmental protection. EDC’s focus areas include protection of the Santa Barbara Channel, ensuring clean water, preserving open space and wildlife, and addressing climate and energy. Learn more about EDC at www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org.