Ben Harris

From an early age, Ben knew he wanted to dedicate his career toward protecting marine habitats from environmental harm and improving access to clean water bodies for all California residents. LA Waterkeeper offers him a perfect opportunity to fulfill his goals. He is ecstatic to be part of a team that strives to protect water resources and enhance the natural environment throughout the LA region.

Prior to joining LA Waterkeeper, Ben spent two years as a fellow at the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at UCLA School of Law, where he represented clients in their pursuit of environmental advocacy and co-taught the environmental law clinic. After law school, he worked as a litigator in private practice but left to clerk for the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Ben received his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from UCLA. He returned to obtain a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where he served as the Executive Editor for the UCLA Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. During law school, Ben wrote comments addressing federal mechanisms for protecting marine mammals from noise pollution and outlining groundwater collection opportunities in Southern California, published in the UCLA Journal of Environmental Law and Policy and the Villanova Environmental Law Journal.