Impact at CLIPI

Moving Forward

Carlyle W. Hall, Jr. is a retired attorney whose extraordinary career spanned over five decades, leaving a lasting legacy in environmental law, civil rights, and public interest advocacy. A Yale College graduate and magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, Carlyle began his legal journey teaching constitutional law in Sudan and established the first law school in Uganda, before returning to the U.S. to help found the Center for Law in the Public Interest (CLIPI) in 1971–one of the nation’s first public interest law firms. 

At CLIPI, he led litigation that established California’s environmental law framework, preserved critical ecosystems like the Ballona Wetlands, and reformed land use planning and zoning and civil rights policies in Los Angeles. His work also introduced innovative consumer protection measures, securing millions for advocacy programs.

In 1988, Carlyle founded his private firm, focusing on public policy issues. Among his notable contributions was representing the State of Alaska on the re-permitting of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and serving as chief outside counsel for the modernization of LAX, one of the world’s busiest airports.

Carlyle’s impact also extended to his roles as a Commissioner for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, where he helped protect Lake Tahoe’s resources, and the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, overseeing affordable housing programs. He founded several nonprofits, including People for Parks, which championed open space preservation and secured over $1 billion for parks in Los Angeles.

Now retired, Carlyle continues to inspire others as an advocate for social equity, environmental sustainability, and consumer protection. Outside of his professional achievements, he has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, has run the Los Angeles Marathon, and enjoys time with his three children and five grandchildren.

Moving Forward