connecticut fund for the environment local hero: keith ainsworth

Keith Ainsworth of Madison has used his legal expertise to successfully litigate on behalf of organizations on matters ranging from land use and environmental justice to toxic torts and insurance coverage. He is an advocate of non-governmental organizations like the Connecticut Fund for the Environment and other organizations that bravely challenge questionable development.

Keith has done groundbreaking work on environmental justice issues related to the North Hartford Landfill (CRRA) where he represented ONE/CHANE, Inc., a minority community development organization. The results in his five years of pro bono representation included closer scrutiny of DEP permits for environmental justice issues.

Keith was the author of the Model Wetlands By-Laws for the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions and often reviews environmental legislation for the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

In his "free" time Keith serves on the Advisory Board for the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center in Milford; as Co-chair of the Environment and Land Use Committee for the New Haven County Bar Association and he is the treasurer of the Conn. Bar Association's Environmental Law section.

He is a pro-bono counsel to Madison Community Services and annually gives lectures to UCONN Law students on how to represent conservation-minded clients. Keith has served on the Executive Committee of the Environmental Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association since 1994.

In 2007, Connecticut Fund for the Environment recognized Keith for his commitment to protecting our environment.