Adam D. Orford

Adam D. Orford

Assistant Professor

UGA School of Law

Dr. Adam D. Orford joined the University of Georgia School of Law in the fall of 2021. His interdisciplinary research investigates legal and policy approaches to environmental protection, human health and wellbeing, and deep decarbonization of the United States economy. He also participates in collaborative research initiatives across UGA, including as the lead of the Georgia element of the National Zoning Atlas, and as a participant in ongoing investigations into the legal, political, environmental, and social dimensions of new energy manufacturing and emerging carbon removal technologies. His recent scholarship has appeared in the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law, the Georgetown Environmental Law Review, the Hastings Environmental Law Journal, and the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. As an educator and mentor, Professor Orford passionately supports law student success and career development.

Professor Orford earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School, his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley’s Energy & Resources Group, and his Masters of Public Policy from U.C. Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Prior to returning to the academy, he was an environmental litigator in private practice, representing public and private clients in complex environmental civil litigation and regulatory matters. In law school, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law.

Interests

  • Environmental Law and Policy
  • Renewable Energy Transitions
  • U.S. Political History
  • Environmental Regulation

Education

  • Ph.D., Energy & Resources, 2021

    U.C. Berkeley Energy & Resources Group

  • M.P.P. / M.A., 2018

    U.C. Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy and U.C. Berkeley Energy & Resources Group

  • J.D., 2006

    Columbia Law School

  • B.A. (Italian), 2002

    Arizona State University

Talks

Interview with Commissioner Tim Echols on Energy Matters

Interview with Commissioner Tim Echols on Energy Matters

Interview on energy law topics upon arrival at UGA.

Investigating Conservative Environmental Polarization

Investigating Conservative Environmental Polarization

Dissertation exit talk on historical development of conservative environmental polarization.