University of Virginia School of Law professor Jonathan Cannon has been named to a three-year term on the board of the prestigious Environmental Law Institute.

The nonprofit think tank convenes experts from diverse backgrounds to analyze complex environmental challenges, disseminates recommendations on environmental topics and helps train future environmental law leaders.

The institute is based in Washington, D.C., but is nonpartisan and doesn't lobby. ELI's lack of political agenda is "an important feature, particularly in this age, when environmental issues seem to be so polarized politically," Cannon said. "It's good to have this kind of forum where people can come together on neutral ground and talk about issues, support research and analysis, and if not come to perfect agreement, at least see each other's point of view, and develop common strategies."

The group specializes in producing research publications and sponsoring forums that target legal practitioners, environmental organizations, and others, such as business leaders, whose decisions affect the environment both in the U.S and abroad.

Cannon, who directs the Law School's Environmental and Land Use Law Program, joined the UVA Law faculty in 1998 from the Environmental Protection Agency, where he was general counsel (1995-98) and assistant administrator for administration and resources management (1992-95).

He is currently the Blaine T. Phillips Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and the Hunton & Williams Professor of Law at UVA. His most recent book is "Environment in the Balance: The Green Movement and the Supreme Court."

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.