July 9th, 2026
ELF Member Spotlight: Margherita Cornaglia
Margherita Cornaglia is a Barrister at Landmark Chambers. Margherita advises and represents clients in climate and environmental law matters spanning public, human rights, civil, and corporate law, including before domestic and international courts and non-judicial mechanisms
Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to specialize in environmental law?
I grew up in the countryside, and my family is from Turin, a magical city framed by the mountains. My paternal grandfather adored the Alps, and explored and photographed so many breathtaking summits, people, plants and animals who inhabit these magical peaks and valleys. I was always very close to him, and when I feel lost I still look to his photo albums, and remember the people and places he showed me, to find my direction again. Moving to the UK, and then to London, took me away from the wildness that nurtured and raised me. Practicing environmental law keeps me connected to who I am, to my past, to my family and to my beloved mountains. Walter Bonatti’s famous book is called “Le Mie Montagne” (my mountains). I’ve started thinking of that concept in the reverse – “the mountains to whom I belong.” I hope that using my skillset to help preserve and protect nature is a way of giving back to the ecosystems to whom I belong, and which formed me and nurtured me, and a way of recognising that my greatest teachers to date have been the Alps, with their ability to inspire awe, to challenge us and to remind us of our insignificance and vulnerability. Protecting these environments so that others can learn from them, in a world that has become so ruthless, seems to me to not only be fair, but essential.
What motivated you to join ELF?
I admired ELF’s work, the cases it supported and the values it embraces. I frequently read about ELF’s good work, and its active participation in the environmental law community in the UK. I joined ELF to meet like-minded colleagues, to learn about the wide variety of environmental law issues which ELF works on and to seek to assist, where I can, the groups and communities that ELF supports.
How has working with the Environmental Law Foundation influenced your career and professional development?
I started working with ELF soon after I moved chambers, from Doughty Street to Landmark Chambers. The decision to move was driven by my desire to be more active in domestic environmental law, to experience the more “boots on the ground” work of planning law, and to strengthen my connections with local groups and communities. Working with ELF soon after my move to Landmark Chambers was a great way to further my career aspirations and professional development, in that ELF provided me with meaningful work in the environment and planning law context. I hope to continue supporting ELF as I strengthen my planning and public law environmental practices.
Can you share a memorable case or project you worked on through ELF that had a significant impact on the community or the environment?
I recently supported a community group with Rule 6 status in a planning Inquiry, where the group opposed the development in question. The Inquiry raised a number of interesting questions on development in the Green Belt and carbon capture and storage, among other matters. Working on this Inquiry was stimulating, given the range of complex issues involved, but it was also personally enriching – I find that there is always something to learn from those we work with and represent, and I much enjoyed engaging with the community group, whose members were lovely, intelligent and kind.
What are some of the unique opportunities or advantages you’ve experienced as a member of ELF compared to other professional networks or organisations?
ELF has a strong reputation and so an extensive network within the UK. I find that the matters ELF works on tend to often be particularly interesting, complex and topical. It seems to me that ELF is at the forefront of environmental law, but also that it is very capable of working collaboratively with other professional networks or organisations. Indeed, I recently worked for Friends of the Earth, which intervened in a case where ELF also intervened. ELF’s barristers were helpful, friendly and collaborative, which I think reflects the organisation’s stance. ELF is unique in standing on its own feet so capably, while also recognising that in certain circumstances it is best to join forces with others.
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?
Joining ELF opens up a wide range of opportunities to learn and grow as an environmental lawyer, and to support important cases. I also find that ELF brings with it a warm community of professionals who are friendly and hardworking. To me, joining ELF was professionally and personally enriching, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing a career in environmental law!