Carla-Anne Consoli

consoli

Education

  • J.D., Notre Dame Law School, ‘91
  • B.A., Lewis and Clark College, Political Science, ‘87

Employment

Partner, Bryan Cave LLP
Phoenix, Arizona

Insights Regarding My Area of Practice

  • Since graduating from NDLS, I have enjoyed the practice of environmental and natural resources law on the local, national and international level assisting clients from “mom and pop shops” to large corporations to governments in protecting the environment in which they operate, recovering their assets and receiving remuneration for natural resources damages. One example of my practice is my participation in our firm’s representation of the State of Kuwait. I represent the State of Kuwait in its war reparations claims against the Republic of Iraq for damages to public health from the environmental disaster caused by Iraq’s unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait.

Volunteer/Pro Bono Work

  • Boys Hope Girls Hope – Member, Board of Directors, Chairman, Governance Committee
  • Valley Forward Association – Member, Board of Directors, Chairman-Elect of the Board
  • Soroptimist International – Member
  • Environmental and Natural Resources Section of the State Bar of Arizona – Member of the Executive Council and Chairman-Elect of the Section.
  • Hiring Partner – Bryan Cave Phoenix Office
  • Resource Center Italiano – Founder
  • National Italian American Foundation – Area Coordinator for Arizona

On the NDLS Education:

“When I applied to law school, I chose six different schools. When I was accepted to NDLS, I sent in my deposit automatically, without having heard from the other “higher ranked” schools. This was a surprise to my father who wanted to know why I hadn’t waited. I did not wait because I sought a comprehensive education about being a great lawyer, a good citizen and true to my Catholic upbringing. I thought I was in heaven the first day I met Professor Tom Shaffer. He emphasized being a good lawyer and being a good Christian and that the two are not mutually exclusive. While I have not been a perfect example of his philosophy throughout my career, the emphasis that NDLS placed on this concept has been with me throughout. In my office, in addition to many of Professor Schaffer’s books, I also have a letter from Father Bill Lewers, whose death was an enormous loss to me and to the law school. The letter was written over 13 years ago. I have occupied five different offices in this firm since receiving the letter and in each office, that letter has been placed in the very center of my desk under my clear desk blotter so that every time I find myself about to act in a manner contrary to what I was taught at ND, I would have to look at that letter and be reminded from where I came. I could not have chosen a better place at which to start my career.”