Raised in Minnesota, Betsy Lawton developed a connection with the region's many waterways and landscapes. After receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and working as an Analyst, Ms. Lawton returned to school and received a law degree along with a Certificate of Environmental Law from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2004.

During law school, Ms. Lawton worked with the State Environmental Resource Center, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Environmental Protection Unit, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of General Counsel, Air and Radiation Law Office. Additionally, Ms. Lawton held several leadership positions in environmental law, including co-president of the Environmental Law Society and co-founder of the Wisconsin Environmental Law Advocates.

Prior to joining Midwest Environmental Advocates as a Staff Attorney, Ms. Lawton was a litigator and lobbyist with the Progressive Law Group, where she represented plaintiffs in tort, environmental and consumer protection actions. She also served two Dane County judges as a Staff Attorney with the Dane County Circuit Court.

Ms. Lawton can be reached at blawton@midwestadvocates.org.