April 29th, 2025
ELF member spotlight: Julia Eriksen
Julia Eriksen is a solicitor in Leigh Day’s environment team who specialises in public environmental and planning law. Previously, Julia held legal roles at ELF and Friends of the Earth.
- Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to specialize in environmental law?
I grew up in the countryside and was taught from a young age to look up and admire the trees, birds and bees as much as possible. I have always wanted to work in social and environmental justice issues, but it was only when working alongside lawyers on a volunteering programme during university that I properly understood how the law can be used as a tool to address these issues. I was hooked. Following my undergraduate PPE degree in York, I completed an Environmental Law masters at SOAS university and shortly after spent a year working in Friends of the Earth’s legal team as a legal intern (part of their brilliant Phil Michaels Legal Internship programme). At FoE I gained first hand experience in how strategic litigation can be used to achieve environmental wins – it was incredibly inspiring and empowering experience which really set me on the course that followed! After FoE I worked as a paralegal, first at ELF (more below) and then in Leigh Day’s environment team. In 2023, after completing the GDL and SQE part time alongside work, I qualified as a solicitor into the same Leigh Day team.
- What motivated you to join ELF?
I first came across ELF at a UKELA careers fair. I remember Emma talking about the hurdles communities face when bringing environmental cases – the costs, procedures, prospects. Barriers to access to justice was something I had been researching during my internship at FoE, but it was eye opening to hear the real-life impact this was having on ELF’s enquirers who are on the frontline of issues affecting the environments they care about. I was very interested in working with ELF and fortunately, ELF was recruiting for its first paralegal at the time!
The environment team at Leigh Day are also professional pro bono members of ELF – I am very grateful I can pay forward the learnings ELF gave me and continue to work with the organisation in my new capacity as a solicitor.
- How has working with the Environmental Law Foundation influenced your career and professional development?
ELF was my first paralegal experience and the role was the perfect job for someone starting out their career in environmental law. The types of enquiries that ELF receives are incredibly varied; as a paralegal I worked on enquiries relating to planning applications, statutory nuisances, species release and tackling the climate crisis through neighbourhood plans. I learned a great deal from this range of work, and continue to do so from the referrals we are sent as a professional member which often lead to litigation down the line.
My main takeaway from working with ELF though is the considerate and passionate approach the ELF team takes to all of the enquiries that come in. These are values that I seek to echo in my own practice.
- Can you share a memorable case or project you worked on through ELF that had a significant impact on the community or the environment?
Whilst I was a paralegal at ELF, I worked on a project of creating a neighbourhood plan model policy with parish councils that would ensure good design standards as a means of lowering emissions. I think this project encapsulates the community focus and significant wider impact of ELF’s work.
At Leigh Day, it is great to be able to continue to work with ELF as a member. For example, Leigh Day assisted ELF (instructed by Sussex Wildlife Trust) with a matter relating to proposed sea defence works at Cuckmere Haven which would have resulted in the destruction of rare chalk reef in a Marine Conservation Zone and Site of Special Scientific Interest. ELF’s investigations found that no environmental impact assessment had been undertaken despite a positive screening decision. Following receipt of ELF’s PAP letter, the National Park conceded that the proposed works could not go ahead without an environmental impact assessment and the planning permission was quashed. Leigh Day assisted with filing the claim and agreeing the consent order. We were particularly pleased to have secured costs for pro bono representation which were split between ELF and the Access to Justice Foundation.
- What are some of the unique opportunities or advantages you’ve experienced as a member of ELF compared to other professional networks or organisations?
As with the case above, the Leigh Day team often receives referrals from ELF which lead to litigation. These referrals are often at an advanced stage such that we will get involved at the point where pre-action correspondence is being sent or a case is being issued. ELF also organises interesting events for members and the public which always raise topical issues and bring lots of interesting people together. In addition, it is interesting to follow the novel work they are doing, such as on access to justice, for example providing case studies for the most recent ‘Pillar of Justice’ report, co-authored with FoE and RSPB, and their work on developing rights of nature.
- In your opinion, why should other legal professionals consider joining the Environmental Law Foundation, and what advice would you give to those who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental law?
As far as I am aware, ELF is unique in the service they offer providing legal tools to affected communities on a pro bono basis. They play an invaluable role connecting legal professionals to these communities, which benefits both those needing legal advice and those giving it. The work is always varied, interesting and very worthwhile.
For those interested in pursuing a career in environmental law, keep an eye out for internships or volunteer opportunities, including ELF’s university clinics and the Phil Michaels legal internship at FoE. The internship at FOE was a fantastic stepping stone into the world of environmental law and connected me to an amazing network of passionate environmental lawyers, campaigners and communities, including ELF. I always find networking very daunting, but environmental law events at universities etc. are also a great way to meet people to find out about what other opportunities are coming up and are often rewarding.