Dean Emeritus Richard L. Ottinger (1929–2026)
A 97-Year Legacy of Leadership and Impact
Environmental champion. Co-founder of the Peace Corps. Vocal opponent of the Vietnam War. A principled congressional leader for 16 years and a reformer in the wake of Watergate. Founder and Board Chair Emeritus of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Dean of Pace Law School (1994–1999) and founder of the Pace Energy and Climate Center.
Elected to Congress in 1964 as the first Democrat to win his Westchester seat, Richard L. Ottinger served sixteen impactful years in the House. Entering at a pivotal moment in American history, he quickly established himself as a reform-minded legislator. Throughout his Congressional career, he was often cited as one of the earliest environmentalists in Congress and one of the best-known experts in energy conservation.
Pace Contributions
- Dean, Pace University School of Law (1994-1999)
- Professor of Law (Environmental Law)
- Co-Director, Center for Environmental Legal Studies
- Founder, Pace Energy and Climate Center
- Led effort to bring NYS Judicial Institute to campus
- Established and expanded LLM Program
- Ottinger Hall dedicated in his honor
Dean, Pace University School of Law (1994-1999)
Dean, Pace University School of Law (1994-1999)In 1994, he was appointed Acting Dean and subsequently served as Dean of Pace Law School until 1999. His tenure proved transformative, marked by significant initiatives and enduring contributions that continue to shape the Law School today.
Professor of Law (Environmental Law)
Professor of Law (Environmental Law)As a professor he taught in the environmental law program from 1984-94, espousing his knowledge and passion on countless law students, bringing to the classroom not only scholarly expertise but firsthand experience in shaping national policy.
Co-Director, Center for Environmental Legal Studies
Co-Director, Center for Environmental Legal StudiesHe co-founded and served as co-director of the Law School's Center for Environmental Legal Studies with Professor Nicholas A. Robinson. The Center was one of the nation’s first and most influential environmental law centers.
Founder, Pace Energy and Climate Center
Founder, Pace Energy and Climate CenterIn 1987, he founded the Pace Energy Project, now known worldwide as the Pace Energy and Climate Center, and was Director and Chair Emeritus. The Energy Project was ahead of its time, focusing on renewable energy integration, utility regulation reform, and energy efficiency well before climate change became a central legal issue.
Led effort to bring NYS Judicial Institute to campus
Led effort to bring NYS Judicial Institute to campusHe was instrumental in building partnerships that helped bring the New York State Judicial Institute to the Law School's campus. Opened in 2003, it was the first judicial research and training center built by and for a state court system.
Established and expanded LLM Program
Established and expanded LLM ProgramDuring his tenure as Dean, the LLM program was established and significantly expanded, strengthening the Law School’s international reputation and advancing its standing as a global leader in environmental law education.
Ottinger Hall dedicated in his honor
Ottinger Hall dedicated in his honorIn 2013, the Law School’s classroom building, which he helped construct during his time as Dean, was officially dedicated as Richard L. Ottinger Hall.
A Life of Principle and Public Service
In 1994, Gannett columnist Nancy Q. Keefe described a rare moment in politics: a gathering not to criticize—but to praise a Congressman. Former staff called Ottinger “the most principled” person they had ever met, a leader who “had the courage to tell the truth” and “stood for something.” That same integrity defined his leadership at Pace Law School and earned the admiration of colleagues and students alike.
Lifelong Advocacy
In this interview, Dean Ottinger explains that his decision to run for Congress was driven by a deep concern for the polluted Hudson River and the health of local communities. This early commitment to environmental issues foreshadowed his long career as one of the first environmentalists in Congress and set the tone for his lifelong advocacy for clean water, energy conservation, and environmental law.
Guiding Generations
Dean Ottinger has been a teacher, mentor and inspiration to countless law students over more than four decades. Alicia Menechino, '99 published “A Tribute to Dean Richard L. Ottinger” law review article describing him as:
“…an approachable Dean, a Dean who was interested in what we had to say, who actually wanted to ease our transition into law school and make our future secure. Even at that point, so early in our law school careers, we realized that Dean Ottinger was a figure to be remembered."
Scholarship
Dean Ottinger authored or co-authored more than 100 articles and numerous books on environmental law, renewable energy, sustainability, and climate governance. His work influenced domestic regulatory policy and international legal frameworks alike.
Beyond Bricks and Mortar
Conceived during his tenure as Dean, Richard Ottinger Hall, a 27,000-square-foot classroom building at the center of the Law School campus, stands as a lasting testament to his vision for growth, innovation, and public service. Its dedication on April 30, 2013, featured remarks from school leadership and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., celebrating not only the building itself but the enduring impact of a leader whose work transformed the campus and strengthened its intellectual reach.
Tireless Champion for the Cause
“It can be done, but the task is also overwhelming. We need to change the whole world’s reliance on fossil fuels. We cannot just focus on these issues on Earth Day; this work is critical all year round.” - Richard L. Ottinger
EESI Commemorates 40 Years of Climate Action (2021)
Global Reach
In the past decade, Dean Ottinger has been increasingly active on the global stage in confronting the climate crisis. He has worked closely with the leadership of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global network of more than 1,400 government and civil society members across 160 countries. Culminating years of sustained advocacy by he and close colleagues, IUCN adopted a motion at its 25th World Conservation Congress this past October expressly recognizing dependence on fossil fuels as a threat to nature. Dean Ottinger recently highlighted this milestone in a Zoom presentation delivered in conjunction with the international COP30 convening in Belém, Brazil.
In the News
Through the Years
Show Your Support
Help us further Dean Ottinger’s life-long legacy in environmental law and policy by making a gift in his honor to support the important work of the Pace Energy and Climate Center.