Joseph Wells Ellinwood

I chose the professions of law and city & regional planning in combination with one another because of how they impact creating, building, maintaining and defending rich, satisfying, livable and sustainable communities.  The United States of America is perhaps unique among nations in its consciousness at its inception of the role of government at all levels in promoting "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"  of its citizens. 

Charting the uncertain balance between regulation to protect public health safety and welfare and checking government overreaching that can stiffle local and individual rights and liberties which are vital to our sense of freedom, self-governance and penchant for innovation, is the daily work of land use and environmental professionals -- especially those of us who are lawyers. It is work that will always be of vital importance to our democratic society, never boring, incredibly challenging and deeply satisfying.  It is a perpetual work in progress.  It fully engages my mind, my energies and my passion.