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Douglas was born in Boston, MA and raised in New England. He grew up in a blended family with his mother, stepfather and eight siblings (three full siblings, three step siblings, two half siblings). Douglas said, “I think my parents, both my mom and my step-dad, are very proud of me. We were all very active kids and our parents worked hard to support all of us and all we did. My maternal grandparents (the only living grandparents I had) were very present and important in my life.”
Douglas graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry and Environmental Studies and minored in Biology and Secondary Teacher Education from Middlebury College in May 2003. While studying at Middlebury College, he was awarded seven college funded grants to engage in environmental science related research and energy and environmental awareness initiatives. Douglas served in the Student Government Association as a senator and special advisor to the president for environmental issues. He was a Weybridge House Member (an environmental studies house), which promoted living as sustainably as possible. Douglas participated in Operation Smile and was a member of the Ski Patrol. The alumnus recalled, “I was an active member of the ski patrol for four years and I was the assistant director for a year and won the Taylor Cook Award and the Patroller of the Year Award.” Douglas also wrote two senior honors thesis papers. His honors thesis in chemistry was entitled “GC-MSD Analysis of HCFC-141b Emissions on the Middlebury College Campus” and his honors thesis in environmental studies was called “Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Middlebury College.”
From January 2004 to August 2008, Douglas was a full time high school science teacher. He taught chemistry, physics and environmental science through an inquiry based method at Milton Academy and in the Boston Public Schools. From 2008 to 2009, he worked at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
While studying at Vermont Law School, Douglas has been involved with the Environmental Law Society and Dispute Resolution Society (2009-2013). He is the recipient of the ABA Award for Outstanding Writing in Appellate Advocacy and he received the Top Oral Advocate Award in Advanced Appellate Advocacy. In 2010, Douglas was a member of the Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition Team and he participated in the Appellate Advocacy Moot Court. Since 2009, he has been a member of the Moot Court Advisory Board. In 2010, Douglas served as senator and as the acting secretary for the Student Bar Association. From August 2010 to June 2011, he was an academic mentor for 1Ls as well as a tort and contracts study group leader for 1Ls.
Since 2012, Douglas has been active with the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication. He is currently involved in the Yale Law School Environmental Protection Clinic and he used to serve the Business and the Environment Consulting Clinic. Douglas is also currently affiliated with Scientists and Engineers for America as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is an ABA Student Member.
When Douglas isn't studying, he enjoys writing, swimming, hiking and skiing. He enjoys hiking at the Green Mountains and the Long Trail, located in Vermont. Douglas also loves to hike at the White Mountains, located in New Hampshire. His three favorite places to ski are Utah's Alta Mountain, Vermont's Stowe Mountain and Maine's Shawnee Peak. The outdoorsman said, “I love to ski and it is a priority in my life.”
Douglas' favorite book is The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho. He also enjoyed reading Malcolm T. Gladwell's Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking and Outliers: The Story of Success.
Douglas Academic Law Career and Future Aspirations
Why did Douglas go into the law? His website states: “When we consider the global nature of the environmental problems we face, it is imperative that we do not hesitate any longer in taking action to protect our environment. I have never been more committed to an endeavor than I am to learning the law and using it to safeguard our planet.”
Douglas shared his aims and aspirations. “I would like to leave the world a better place than I found it. I would like to have a significant and positive impact on addressing anthropogenic climate change. I would also like to live a life of meaning, joy, and happiness.”
When asked about his key accomplishments, the candid student admitted, “I am still pretty young so I am not sure I have any ‘key accomplishments' but to the extent that I do: playing an important early role in getting Middlebury College on the path to climate neutrality. Having been a good high school science teacher has instilled strong environmental ethics in my students. Also, being a good older brother to 5 younger siblings.”
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Douglas discussed his key strengths and skills that he would like to use to advance his career goals. He claimed:
“I think the greatest asset I have is that I can bridge the scientific, policy, and legal worlds. I have an extensive background in the chemistry and physics of climate change and during the last four years I have added an extensive understanding of energy policy, climate change policy and management, and environmental law. Very few people are equality qualified to speak to, evaluate, and offer guidance on, issues of climate science, energy and climate policy, and climate law.”As for his weakness, Douglas noted, “I would like to be a better communicator, not sure it is a weakness but it is something I am always working on.” Another weakness he mentioned is that he wants to “Work more consistently. I tend to work intensely for hours and then take a few hours off or work intensely for days and then take days off. I would rather do a little, slowly and more evenly distribute my work.”
Since law school can be hectic at times, Douglas pointed out how he relieves stress. “I exercise, meditate, and keep things in perspective.”
Many readers are probably wondering how Douglas handles new assignments. The fourth year law student shared his process: “It totally depends on the assignment. But in general I review to make sure I am clear on the goal or outcome, I organize the resources I will need, I do the work, I check the work, revise if needed, finish.”
Where does Douglas derive his confidence? “I don't know… I think from all the people how have believed in me and encouraged me and supported me along the way as I have grown up.”
Three Wishes to Live By, Dealing with Fear, Major Obstacles and Volunteer Experience
If Douglas had three wishes, he would wish for world peace, end world hunger and reliable clean energy source that replaces fossil fuels and helps individuals find a way to end anthropogenic climate change.
In regards to handling fear, Douglas stated, “I actively work to overcome it. For example: I have a totally irrational fear of water so I became a swimming instructor, life guard, became a canoe and kayak instructor, took up whitewater boating, became a licensed Maine Whitewater Guide and guided whitewater [groups] all over the country on some of North America's wildest rivers.”
Has Douglas faced any obstacles in his life? He replied:
“I have severe dyslexia and learning to read and spell have been particularly challenging. [This makes] finding ways to be successful in traditional academic environments [difficult]. I constantly struggle with this and I use a lot of adaptive technology to assist me in my everyday work.Douglas discussed his volunteer experience. He said:
I grew up very poor in rural Maine as the second oldest in a large blended family. Neither of my parents had college degrees, and finding ways to get to and pay for college was very hard. I had a few dedicated and committed teachers and mentors who helped me. And I worked very hard to get through.”
“From 1995-1999, I volunteered at Carroll Country Family Mediation. I was a mediator (family and peer), Board of Directors (one term). From 1995 – 2001, I was a volunteer EMT and rescue team member of Fryeburg Rescue. From 1999-2004, I was a volunteer ski patroller and OEC Instructor for the Middlebury College Snow Bowl. From 1999-2003, I was a Middlebury College Club Treasurer for Operation Smile's fundraiser. From 2001-2003, I participated in Habitat for Humanity: Fundraiser and Volunteer Builder. Lots of other little things over the years… I try to stay engaged and active in the communities in which I live.”Legal Role Models, Personal Philosophy, People You Want to Surround Yourself With, Most Influential Traveling Experience,Favorite Quote, and Final Thoughts
When asked if he has any legal role models, Douglas said, “I am not sure I have any legal role models because what I want to do is new and has not been done by people before. But I think I have several people I admire (specifically in the legal world).” He greatly respects Abraham Lincoln for abolishing slavery. Douglas stated, “Lincoln did what was right, even though it wasn't popular. It was morally and ethically the right thing to do, which is hard to do in politics.”
William Howard Taft is another President Douglas admires. After the twenty-seventh President was defeated in his bid for a second term, he became the tenth Chief Justice of the United States. Taft was never happy as President, but was thrilled to be Chief Justice of the U.S.
Douglas respects Sandra Say O'Connor, who was the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. He admires O'Connor's humility and honesty and he believes she was influential while she served in the nation's highest court. Douglas also looks up to Matt Pawa because he is at the forefront of climate litigation in the country.
The future attorney talked about what he believes holds more truth in light of his personal philosophy. Was it fate or choice? “They both play a big roll… but I think choice is a little bigger.”
What kind of situations and people is Douglas attracted to? What kind of situations and people does the law student avoid? He asserted:
“I am attracted to situations where the outcome can make a difference on an issue I care about. Examples include on a small local level attend[ing] key USSA meetings so that I can make sure the kids I coached in skiing would have the best advantage to on an international level, attend[ing] the 17th and 18th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a delegate and everywhere in between. I am attracted to positive optimistic and hard working people who have a sense of personal responsibility to make the world a better place.”As for situations and people to avoid, Douglas said, “I don't think there are really any situations I try to avoid. I guess I try to avoid situations with no possible good outcome.
I try to stay away from negative and pessimistic people. Life is too short to be surrounded by negativity.”
Douglas talked about his most influential traveling experience. He stated:
“In the U.S. I have spent at least two nights in each of the lower 48 states. I spent at least two nights in each of the 7 lower Canadian provinces. Other countries include: Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, South Africa, Tenerife, Costa Rica, Peru, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Spain, France, The Netherlands, Qatar, UAE, Germany… I may be leaving a few off. But my most meaningful… so hard. Probably the experience I had leading a group of high school students in Peru for 17 days.”Douglas' favorite quote is by G.B. Shaw: “Some men see things as they are and say, why? I dream of things that never were and say, why not?” The future climate law and policy attorney said he strives to [be like] the second part of the quote.
Is there anything else you care to share professionally or personally? Douglas said:
“In life the grand equalizer is time. The richest and poorest person in the world have exactly the same amount of hours in the day. The smartest and most mentally challenged person both have the same number of hours in the day. The best athlete and the most physically challenged person both have the same number of hours in the day. And so on and so on. Since we all have the same number of hours in the day, how we chose to spend those hours is a significant indicator of a persons character. I strive to use my time to make the world a better place and I try to spend my time treating people with kindness and empathy.”
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