About Us
Advocates for the Environment
Advocates for the Environment is the nonprofit organization leading the effort to amend the California Constitution to include a fundamental Environmental Right Amendment. The organization is a small but effective public-interest environmental law firm that provides low-cost legal services to the public in support of the environment.
Our Team
Executive Director
Dean Wallraff
Dean Wallraff is the driving force behind efforts to advance an environmental rights amendment to the California Constitution. He serves as Executive Director of Advocates for the Environment and is a seasoned California environmental attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona and Loyola Law School Los Angeles, and has litigated extensively under a variety of state and federal environmental and land-use laws. He has successfully settled 60 CEQA cases against California warehouse projects, resulting in more than $27 million in carbon offsets and additional solar energy generation. Dean is deeply committed to advancing an environmental rights amendment in California and supporting the expansion of environmental right initiatives on an international scale.
Dean Wallraff is the driving force behind efforts to advance an environmental rights amendment to the California Constitution. He serves as Executive Director of Advocates for the Environment and is a seasoned California environmental attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona and Loyola Law School Los Angeles, and has litigated extensively under a variety of state and federal environmental and land-use laws. He has successfully settled 60 CEQA cases against California warehouse projects, resulting in more than $27 million in carbon offsets and additional solar energy generation. Dean is deeply committed to advancing an environmental rights amendment in California and supporting the expansion of environmental right initiatives on an international scale.
Executive Director
Dean Wallraff
Kelsey Grisillo is an environmental policy advocate with Advocates for the Environment. Her background is rooted in environmental policy, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. After earning a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver, she worked on environmental law and compliance issues, including supporting environmental litigation at the United States Department of Justice and advancing sustainability and environmental health initiatives for corporations. Kelsey is passionate about strengthening environmental protections and advancing policies that safeguard ecosystems and communities.
