Lisa M. Jaeger earned her law degree from Delaware Law School (J.D. 1990) and her undergraduate (B.A. 1984) at Catholic University of America. Her courses focus on the intersection of law and science in federal agency regulation and health and environmental policy. Some common themes that arise in her classes include the source of authority of US agencies to regulate, the overlapping spheres of influence of the three branches of government over how agencies use their regulatory authority, where the line is drawn between science and policy, and the legal guardrails established by courts that agencies must follow in making regulatory decisions.
Professor Jaeger has practiced environmental and natural resources law for over 25 years. In her current position in the DC office of Bracewell LLP, a Texas-based law firm, she represents clients before regulatory agencies, in federal courts and in Congress, on matters including clean air, climate change, clean water, and waste. She served at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as deputy general counsel and acting general counsel, overseeing all legal matters before the agency, including water, air, waste and pesticide and toxics issues. In an earlier position as legislative assistant to then-Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Professor Jaeger covered the environment and natural resources portfolio as well as appropriations, regulatory reform and judicial issues. She also served in the first Bush administration in the White House as associate director of the office of cabinet affairs.
Professor Jaeger has been an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and has taught full time and as an adjunct at the Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.