About LEAF:

The Legal Environmental Aid Foundation of Indiana, Inc. (LEAF) is the only non-profit environmental law practice in Indiana. LEAF provides legal support to environmental activists and groups seeking to protect Indiana's natural heritage.  Through legal advocacy, LEAF empowers Indiana's citizens with the tools they need to hold government and corporate polluters accountable. Learn more.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:

LEAF files lawsuit against confined feeding operation in Wayne County
On November 9, 2009, LEAF filed a lawsuit against a confined feeding operation located in Richmond, Indiana. The operation has created such intolerable living conditions for its neighbors, Eric and Lisa Stickdorn, that the couple was forced to rent an apartment to escape the constant onslaught of raw sewage odors and contamination of their drinking water by the confined dairy built less than 300 feet from their property line. The lawsuit alleges nuisance, trespass, negligence and gross negligence against the owners of the confined dairy operation and seeks injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages. Read more.



With a $15,000 Grant from the Impact Fund, LEAF is pursuing a federal lawsuit against an industrial waste facility in Elkhart
Over the last nine years, VIM Recycling, Inc. has illegally dumped thousands of tons of waste materials in massive piles outdoors, on bare ground, without cover, lining, or containment at its facility in Elkhart, Indiana. On October 28, 2009 LEAF filed a federal lawsuit against the company and its owner, Kenneth R. Will, on behalf of more than 150 individuals who live next to VIM, asking the Court to stop operations, order clean up of the site, impose civil penalties, and award compensatory and punitive damages. Read more.




LEAF Empowers Citizens to Fight CAFOs 
LEAF and the Hoosier Environmental Council host a community workshop on laws applicable to confined animal feeding operations. Learn more.







LEAF E.D. Participates in Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Panel Discussion on Enforcement Changes at IDEM
On July 22, 2009, the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum held a seminar for Indiana lawyers on Environmental Law. As part of the seminar's "IDEM Enforcement Panel," Kim Ferraro, presented how these changes undermine protection of public health and environment. Read more. 

LEAF E.D. recipient of a "Leadership in Law" award by the Indiana Lawyer! At a ceremony in Indianapolis on May 5, 2009, LEAF's Executive Director, Kim Ferraro, was one of 15 Indiana lawyers honored as an "Up and Coming Lawyer" for her contribution to the legal profession and community. Rebecca Collier, Editor and Publisher of the Indiana Lawyer, stated that the "awards were created to cast a spotlight on the kinds of folks that people look up to both inside and outside the profession."


Valparaiso University Magazine features work of LEAF E.D. Read the Article

LEAF has a generous supporter who will match each donation received in 2009. LEAF needs your support to continue giving impacted communities a voice in their fight for environmental justice.  Help us now! 

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