As a fifth generation cattle rancher, Laysan Unger brings invaluable knowledge and personal understanding to Dunn Carney’s Environmental and Agricultural & Natural Resources practices.

“I grew up on a cattle ranch in Hawaii,” explains Laysan, “and our property was home to an endangered species, the ‘Alala (Hawaiian Crow). As a result, we were sued under the Endangered Species Act by environmental organizations for access to our property to study that bird. This experience was the impetus for my career: I knew I wanted to work on behalf of private landowners on environmental and natural resource legal issues because of my family’s experience. I personally identify with these legal issues because they are the same issues my family’s agricultural operation faces.”

Beginning her career clerking at Dunn Carney while earning her J.D. in Environmental and Natural Resource Law at Lewis & Clark, Laysan proved herself to be a valuable and passionate ally to Dunn Carney’s clients, earning a position as a Dunn Carney attorney upon passing the Oregon bar. While in law school Laysan served on the executive board for Environmental Law (the environmental law journal of Lewis & Clark Law School) as articles editor and also as president of S.A.B.E.R. (Student Advocates for Business and Environmental Responsibility). She continues this advocacy and outreach through her contributions to Dunn Carney’s Natural Resources Updates blog and annual Ag Summit.

“I love having the opportunity to work on the Dunn Carney Ag Summit because it provides important information to the agricultural community by bringing speakers together in one place… . Facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing valuable information to our clients is something I’m very proud of.”

When not working hard in the trenches as a champion for Oregon Agriculture and landowners, Laysan plays hard as Dunn Carney’s formidable catcher propelling Dunn Carney’s softball team to the 2013 law league playoffs. Off season Laysan enjoys snowboarding, hiking and cheering for the Oregon Ducks as well as her younger brother Max Unger’s team, The Seattle Seahawks.