Young Professionals on the Frontlines of Environmental Law
PANEL DESCRIPTION
This panel spotlights women who are early in their careers but already shaping Louisiana’s environmental and energy landscape. The panel explores how young professionals are navigating the challenges of the field, building careers, and driving impact through law, policy, and community engagement. Beyond sharing their personal journeys, the discussion highlights strategies for influencing environmental outcomes, fostering sustainability, and advancing justice. For anyone curious about environmental law, this session offers insight into the unique perspectives, leadership approaches, and creative problem-solving that women bring to the profession—and how their contributions are already shaping the future of the field.
Moderated by Nadia Alzoqari.
SEMAJ FIELDING, PHELPS DUNBAR
Semaj Fielding is an environmental regulatory lawyer and litigator who brings her undergraduate training as an environmental scientist to her work in technical disciplines.
In addition to a judicial internship during her studies at Southern University Law Center, Semaj worked as a law clerk with Entergy Services and served as Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Property, Technology and Law.
Semaj gained unique federal agency experience at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a NOAA/EPP MSI Scholar, an undergraduate honor where she worked with complex state and federal regulations, marine sanctuaries, and the fishing industry.
MARIANNA DOWNER, GORDON ARATA
Marianna Knister Downer is a civil litigator and trial attorney representing clients in a wide range of industries including energy & environmental, construction, and administrative law. Her practice at Gordon Arata extends to complex litigation, appeals, civil procedure, commercial litigation, and risk management.
Marianna obtained both her Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. While at the Law Center, Marianna was a Senior Associate on the Journal of Energy Law and Resources, served for two years on the LSU Student Bar Association, and was a recipient of the John P. Laborde Endowed Scholarship. Marianna graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University in 2012 with her B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Political Communication. Prior to obtaining her law degree, Marianna spent four years in Washington, D.C. working both on and off Capitol Hill with former Senator Mary L. Landrieu.
ZOE VOGEL, FISHMAN HAYGOOD
Zoe Vogel is an attorney in our Fishman Haygood's Litigation Section. Zoe’s practice primarily focuses on environmental law. Prior to joining Fishman Haygood, Zoe was a legal fellow with the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C. In this role, she conducted legal research and writing to fulfill publication deliverables across a wide range of project topics including coastal resilience, hazard mitigation, nature-based infrastructure, sea level rise, offshore wind, Tribal consultation, and hardrock mining. She also planned and moderated panels for the Environmental Law Institute’s Community Lawyering CLE series to support meaningful, environmental justice-oriented pro bono work.
Zoe received her law degree, cum laude, from Tulane Law School. While at Tulane, Zoe was the Editor in Chief of the Tulane Environmental Law Journal and a Rule XX student attorney for the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic where she represented clients in civil rights proceedings under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Zoe is a member of the Association for Women Attorneys – New Orleans and the New Orleans Bar Association.