Jonathon Keene Recognized for Lifelong Advocacy and Legal Impact in Environmental Law
Barry Law alumnus and faculty member Jonathon J. Keene, JD '15 was honored on August 15 at the 7th Annual Sustainability Conference and Green Visionary Awards Luncheon, hosted by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Keene was recognized for his work as Director of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence at Barry University School of Law. The Center received a Green Visionary Award for its dedication to environmental stewardship through legal education and advocacy.
A lifelong advocate for Florida’s natural environment, Keene has spent more than 30 years raising awareness about issues including reckless watercraft operation, overdevelopment, deforestation, and pollution. From protecting manatee habitats to preserving the aquifer, his commitment to ecological protection has been unwavering.
Originally from Orlando, Keene attended Colonial High School before earning degrees in Humanities from Valencia College and the University of Central Florida. At Barry Law, he became an active member of the Environmental Law Society and began pursuing a future in environmental law.
Following graduation, Keene practiced estate planning and probate and later worked in civil litigation across Florida’s court system. His return to Barry Law marked a turning point as he stepped into a leadership role at the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, where he now mentors students and leads programming centered on Earth-focused legal principles.
