Julian Kunik

julian kunik headshot

I was born and raised in Austin, Texas as the oldest of six kids. My mother is from Belgium, where I spent many summers with her family and traveling around Europe. Growing up, she was an actor and writer, while also working at a tech start-up company and where she still works today. My father was born in Houston, Texas to a Jewish family. He met my mother while visiting his cousins in Israel, where my mother was converting to Judaism and simultaneously working as a fashion model. They moved back together to Texas where my father opened his orthodontic office. Outside of work, he liked to spend his free time fishing at our ranch with his kids. My parents divorced when I was five and have since remarried, my mother to a Spaniard and my father to an Argentine. One could say we have an international family.

My parents were extremely patient with my endless curiosity, always taking the time to entertain my questions. My father instilled in me a love of nature and science, while my mother taught me to admire culture and art. But together, they taught me to love and appreciate all corners of the earth.

In high school and college, I pursued science, ultimately studying biology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. It was during this time that I fell even more deeply in love with environmentalism, sustainability, and ethnobotany. The intricacies of the natural world fascinated me, and I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to protecting it.

Following my academic pursuits, I embarked on a three-year adventure filled with travel and hands-on experiences. I spent time working in France and Ecuador on organic farms, immersing myself in sustainable agricultural practices through programs like WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). Throughout my travels, I have been fortunate to explore six continents and visit around 50 countries, gaining valuable insights into diverse cultures and environmental challenges. Meeting and staying with local people has deeply influenced my global perspective. These experiences allowed me to witness firsthand the global impact of environmental issues and further fueled my passion for advocacy.

Upon returning to the United States, I pursued my legal education at Lewis & Clark Law School, drawn by its renowned environmental law program. It was there that I found my calling in environmental litigation, driven by a desire to hold corporations accountable for their actions and to fight for the protection of our planet. Today, as a member of Brayton Purcell, I am committed to using my expertise in environmental justice and science to advocate for Plaintiffs harmed by exposure to toxic substances.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
Holding corporations accountable.
 
What are your hobbies and interests? 
In my free time I love hiking, backcountry camping, skiing, cooking, gardening, and traveling.

Education

Lewis & Clark Law School

  • J.D. - 2023
  • magna cum laude

University of British Columbia

  • Bachelor of Science, Biology - 2018

Professional Associations

  • Climate Social Science Network (CSSN)
  • Oregon Bar Association

Bar Admission

  • Oregon

Honors

  • Certificate in International Law, Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law

Published Works

  • L D Merner, L Benjamin, W Ercole, I Keuschnigg, J Kunik, K Martínez Toral, L Peterson, J Setzer, K Sokol, A Tandon & K Turowski, Comparative analysis of legal mechanisms to net-zero: lessons from Germany, the United States, Brazil, and China Carbon Management, Volume 15, 2024 - Issue 1, December 2, 2023

Current Employment Position

  • Associate

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  • . . .Thank you for all you have done for me and for Bill before he died. You have been so caring. . .