Acclaimed Environmental Lawyer and Graphic Memoirist Eddie Ahn to Visit RWU Law

Roger Williams University School of Law welcomes the community to attend a conversation with Eddie Ahn, Executive Director at Brightline Defense, an accomplished environmental lawyer, and graphic memoirist, on Thursday, March 20, at 2:45 p.m.

Ahn will join a discussion in RWU Law Professor Natasha Varyani’s class, at the Judge Bruce M. Selya Appellate Courtroom, on the university’s Bristol campus. His forthcoming book, Advocate: A Graphic Memoir of Family, Community, and the Fight for Environmental Justice (Penguin Random House, 2024), has already garnered critical acclaim, earning recognition as a Washington Post and American Library Association Best Graphic Novel of the Year and an Asian Pacific American Literature Award Honoree.

Professor Natasha Varyani, who invited Ahn to RWU Law, was deeply moved by Advocate and saw its powerful connection to the work she does with students. “The emphasis on wanting to use your law degree to improve the world, navigating cultural expectations, and overcoming challenges resonated with me. Eddie’s story was so authentic and full of heart,” she said.

As an author herself, Varyani saw in Advocate an innovative way to bring environmental justice concepts to life and wanted students to experience firsthand how legal storytelling can inspire advocacy. Knowing Ahn’s Rhode Island connection—he is a Brown University alumnus—she reached out, and he enthusiastically accepted the invitation.

With a career dedicated to environmental justice and legal advocacy, Ahn has worked on groundbreaking cases that have shaped environmental policies nationwide. His expertise in environmental law has positioned him as a leading voice in protecting natural resources and ensuring corporate accountability.

What makes Ahn’s work especially compelling is his ability to merge creativity with legal advocacy. As a lawyer, he has spent years championing environmental justice in the courtroom. As a graphic memoirist, he uses storytelling and visual art to make complex legal and social issues accessible and emotionally resonant. His book Advocate exemplifies how attorneys can expand their impact by communicating beyond traditional legal arguments, engaging broader audiences and inspiring action through creative expression.

RWU Law has long been recognized as a leader in environmental law, preparing students to tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. This event reflects not just the law school’s commitment to coalition-building and sharing resources—critical components of working together for meaningful, substantive change—but that of Roger Williams University itself. Understanding environmental challenges across different regions is essential for today’s legal professionals, and conversations like this help bridge knowledge gaps and foster collaboration.

During the class, Ahn will discuss his journey in environmental law, the intersection of law and storytelling, and how legal professionals can use innovative approaches to drive change. Students and attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and gain insights from an attorney who has successfully blended law with creative advocacy. There will also be an opportunity to obtain a signed copy of his book.

 

Open to the public, this event is for those interested in environmental law, social justice, and the power of storytelling. Attendees will leave with a sense of connection, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to advocacy.

For more details and to register, visit https://law.rwu.edu/events/acclaimed-environmental-lawyer-and-graphic-memoirist-eddie-ahn-visit-rwu-law