Howard Learner is an experienced public interest, environmental, clean energy and civil rights litigation attorney serving as CEO and President of the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) – the Midwest's premier environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. He provides overall strategic leadership, litigation and policy direction and financial platform development for this innovative leading-edge public interest organization. The American Bar Association recognized ELPC with its prominent National 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship.

ELPC combines successful strategic legal and policy advocacy with its core premise that environmental progress, job creation, and economic growth can be achieved together. Howard and his multidisciplinary staff put this sustainability policy vision into practice by building diverse coalitions to create new jobs, spur economic growth, and improve the environment and public health. ELPC accelerates climate change solutions through modern clean energy development to transform the electric sector; advances “smart growth” transportation strategies helping solve climate change problems; and protects the Great Lakes and preserves the Midwest’s Great Places.

Howard led the organizational growth and development of ELPC from a start-up to a leading regional and nationally-influential group with about 60 staff and a $15 million budget. He founded ELPC in 1993 as an entrepreneurial start-up following his work as the General Counsel for Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, specializing in complex environmental and civil rights housing and economic development litigation.

Howard is an AV Preeminent rated (highest) attorney representing environmental, clean energy and community organizations in precedential appellate and trial litigation before federal and state courts. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Howard received the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois– Federal Bar Association's Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service in 2026, and many other professional awards and recognitions.

He serves on the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Protection Fund (appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker), the Council for the Great Lakes Region, and the (Cook County) Forest Preserve Foundation. He was the founding Chair of the Illinois Citizens Utility Board and founding Chair of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. He served on the Executive Committees and Boards of the Environmental Law Institute and American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and as the Vice-Chair of the U.S. EPA’s National Advisory Council on Environmental Policy and Technologies. He served on the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission (appointed by Governor Patrick Quinn.)

J.D., Harvard Law School; B.A. (Honors), University of Michigan. Professor (Adjunct), University of Michigan Law School teaching seminars on climate change and energy law, environmental constitutionalism (2009 – 2023).