Griffin Polinsky

Background

About Griffin Polinsky

I am a Division 1 student-athlete at Northeastern University, majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Law, Governance, and Management. While competing for the Men’s Soccer team, I have also been on the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Honor Roll and Dean’s List every semester. My professional experiences have strengthened my understanding of environmental policy, sustainability, and legal frameworks. As an Environment and Sustainability Intern at COTY, I worked on regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to Title V of the Clean Air Act and the Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit while promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. At LAUTEC, as an Offshore Wind Analyst, I gained expertise in renewable energy and environmental impact analysis, focusing on feasibility and sustainable development. Additionally, as a substitute teacher, I enhanced my ability to communicate complex environmental concepts to diverse audiences. Currently, as an intern with the Strategic Litigation Unit at The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), I analyze civil and criminal cases, summarize internal affairs reports, and maintain the police misconduct database. This experience has refined my analytical and communication skills while deepening my understanding of how legal advocacy drives systemic change. It has also reinforced my commitment to integrating environmental and legal issues, recognizing that challenges like pollution and environmental injustices stem from legal and policy decisions. Competing at a D1 level has instilled a strong work ethic, resilience, and time management skills. Balancing academics and athletics has taught me the importance of teamwork, leadership, and thriving under pressure. These experiences, along with the diverse makeup of my team, have shaped my ability to lead and collaborate in dynamic environments. I am dedicated to leveraging my academic and professional experiences to drive environmental change as an attorney. Driven by the question, ‘What impact will you leave?’—I recognize that environmental action is most successful when it also creates a strong return. I am passionate about reducing environmental injustices and ensuring equitable access to clean air and water for marginalized communities. I believe that critical to this is promoting and developing clean and renewable energy solutions. Through personal engagement and education, I aim to inspire others to take actionable steps toward environmental stewardship and collective responsibility.