Erin Brockovich to Speak at Commencement

She’s been called brash and gutsy. Erin Brockovich Ellis, whose tireless research while working as a law firm file clerk led to a multimillion dollar settlement with a California-based utility, will address graduates at Lewis & Clark Law School’s commencement on Saturday, May 28 at 11 a.m.

“Through her determination and her actions, Erin Brockovich Ellis has demonstrated that the American legal system is responsive to the concerns of ordinary people,” said James L. Huffman, law school dean and Erskine Wood Sr. Professor of Law, “She demonstrates for us the power of an individual to enforce the law and to achieve justice. We are honored to welcome her as our commencement speaker for 2005.”

Brockovich Ellis grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, graduated from Lawrence High School, attended Kansas State University and then moved to Dallas, Texas. She later earned her associate’s degree from a Texas business college. She lived and worked in California and Nevada before injuries from a car accident brought her to the law firm of Masry & Vititoe. Later, as a file clerk for that firm, she investigated the impact of the toxic chemical Chromium 6 on residents of Hinkley, California. The chemical had leaked into the town’s groundwater from Pacific Gas and Electric holding tanks. In 1996, as a result of Brockovich Ellis’ independent investigation and a subsequent lawsuit, PG&E was forced to pay more than $300 million in damages to town residents. It was the largest legal settlement in U.S. history. Her story inspired the film “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts.

She served as spokesperson for Save The World Air and spoke about environmental issues at the United Nations summit meeting in Indonesia. In 2004, she was nominated for the World Social Award and received an American Trial Lawyers Association consumer award. In October 2005, she will receive the Julius B. Richmond award from Harvard University’s School of Public Health. The recipient of numerous other awards, Brockovich Ellis also received the President’s Award from the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association. She is currently director of environmental research at Masry & Vititoe. Recently, Jones International University conferred an honorary master’s degree upon her. She is married to actor Eric Ellis and lives in Agoura Hills, California.

Visit The Law Offices of Masry & Vititoe.

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