Charleston Waterkeeper Hires Full-Time Legal Affairs Coordinator
We’re incredibly excited to officially welcome Andrew J. Wunderley, Esq. to the Waterkeeper team! Andrew initially joined our staff back in August as our legal affairs coordinator; however, as of the first of the year, he’s made the leap to full-time employee. When Andrew’s not researching permits, investigating polluters, or sniffing stormdrains, he can usually be found surfing, woodworking, or spending time with his family. For a look at Andrew’s bio, head on over to our staff page.
Click here for our official release, or read it below:
January 11, 2012 – Charleston, SC: On the heels of the new year, Charleston Waterkeeper announced this week that the organization has named Andrew Wunderley, Esq., as the organization’s full-time Program Coordinator and Staff Attorney. Wunderley, who has worked part-time for the organization since this past August, will be responsible for providing legal and policy expertise to manage the organization’s advocacy programs. Initially, his work will focus on programs designed to address point source pollution and threats associated with stormwater. By adding a legal mind to the organization’s team, Charleston Waterkeeper will have the resources in place to better protect the public’s right to clean water.
Charleston Waterkeeper Executive Director Cyrus Buffum commented on the new addition to the organization saying, ”As a data-driven organization, Charleston Waterkeeper relies heavily on science and the law. Andrew’s environmental background, legal expertise and passion for water provides Charleston Waterkeeper with the tools needed to identify threats, create solutions, and work towards our goal of fishable, swimmable water.”
Wunderley is both an attorney and conservationist, who has been active in the Lowcountry since attending the Graduate School at the College of Charleston. Wunderley, who graduated Cum Laude from Charleston School of Law, offers legal expertise that will enable Charleston Waterkeeper to fully confront the issues degrading water quality in the Charleston Harbor watershed. Wunderley also served as law clerk to the Honorable James E. Lockemy at the South Carolina Court of Appeals, as well as Staff Attorney to the Court of Appeals. He holds a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the Graduate School at the College of Charleston and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association.
Charleston Waterkeeper board chair, Lindsay Nevin, also weighed in on the growth of the organization saying, “Over the past three years, through the support of countless donors and the dedication of existing staff and volunteers, Charleston Waterkeeper has successfully grown to become the organization it is today. With the addition of Andrew Wunderley to the Waterkeeper team, we are confident in the positive direction of Charleston Waterkeeper and certain that we are strengthening our ability to protect and improve the quality of Charleston’s waterways,” Nevin said.
Wunderley’s passion for clean water was implicit during his interview on Tuesday, “There are some natural resources that are too valuable to be privately owned. Our water resources belong to the public, and every citizen of South Carolina has a right to fish, surf, swim or harvest oysters without fear of pollution,” he said. Wunderley’s commitment to the water also extends to his personal life, as he is a long-time surfer, swimmer and swim coach. In 2001, Wunderley coached City of Charleston Councilwoman Kathleen Wilson for her swim across the English Channel. Wunderley is married with two children and lives in Charleston.
