Erina Kwon

A native Angeleno and avid open water swimmer, Erina brings two decades of public service experience and an advanced degree in environmental law to her role at LA Waterkeeper. She is committed to restoring the health of inland waterways and ensuring that coastal waters are swimmable.

Erina started her career as a prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, where she conducted numerous jury trials and preliminary hearings, and worked closely with diverse witnesses including victims of crime, scientific experts, and law enforcement officers. In 2018, she stepped away from her legal career to manage a family business, but she continued to serve as a Judge Pro Tem and as a Delegate to the Conference of California Bar Associations.

In 2022, Erina pursued her dream of using her legal expertise to protect the environment. She returned to UCLA Law School to specialize in Environmental Law, where she gained an nuanced understanding of today’s environmental issues and legal frameworks. During her externship at the California Office of the Attorney General, Natural Resources Law Section, she gained valuable insight into the state’s enforcement of its environmental regulations.

Following her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, Erina volunteered with the Environmental Defense Center, where she assessed incidental take permitting under the Endangered Species Act. She also contributed to a policy paper on prosecuting global environmental crimes for the International Criminal Court.

Erina is thrilled to join the LA Waterkeeper team, where she can merge her passion for maintaining Los Angeles's water quality with her experience in interpreting, enforcing, and advocating for laws that balance environmental protections with community interests.