The CISDL’s Annual International Legal Specialist Awards recognize the outstanding contributions of recipients to key topics in international law which contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change, human rights, biodiversity, trade and investment, peace, justice and governance, natural resources and health. Through their knowledge, professional skills and insights, recipients of the CISDL International Legal Specialist Awards demonstrate a serious, significant longstanding commitment to advancing peace, justice and sustainable development in the world.
Biodiversity & Biosafety Programme 
Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima
Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima is a researcher on international environmental law at Stockholm Resilience Centre, and an advisor at SwedBio. Her research examines major legal and governance challenges for sustainability transformations and environmental justice.
Natural Resources Programme 
Dr. Ilaria Espa
Dr. Ilaria Espa is Assistant Professor of International Economic Law at USI Lugano, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer at the WTI and at the University of Milan. Formerly awarded a Marie Curie fellowship from the European Commission for her post-doctoral studies, Ilaria was a member of the NCCR Trade Regulation Programme from 2013 until 2017, in addition to acting as Scientific Coordinator of the WTI Doctoral Programme.
Climate Change Programme
Prof. Dr. juris Christina Voigt
Prof. Dr. juris Christina Voigt is professor at the Department of Public and International Law, University of Oslo, Norway. Professor Voigt is an expert in international environmental law. She works in particular on legal issues of climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental multilateralism and sustainability.
Trade, Investment & Finance Programme
Dr. Avidan Kent
Dr. Avidan Kent is a Senior Lecturer in International Law at the University of East Anglia (UAE). Dr. Kent is the Founder and Convenor of UEA’s International Law Research Group. He has written/edited books, reports, journal articles and chapters on a varied list of topics, including International Economic Law (mostly Investment Law and WTO Law), international courts, International Environmental Law, Public Participation and Climate-Induced Migration.
Human Rights Programme
Prof. Dr. David Boyd 
Prof. Dr. David R. Boyd is an environmental lawyer and internationally renowned expert on human rights and the environment. Dr. Boyd is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, and UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. His primary focus is on identifying laws and policies that will accelerate the transition to an ecologically sustainable and just future, both in Canada and across the world.
Peace, Justice & Governance Programme
Mr. Wayne Garnons-Williams & Mr. Patrick Reynaud
Wayne Garnons-Williams is the founding President of International Inter-tribal Trade Organization, Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of the law firm Garwill Law Professional Corporation specializing in Tribal Trade and Economic Development, as well as member and past Chair of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Appeal Tribunal. He is a board member of the International Council of the Great Lakes Region a board member of Capacity Canada and a board member of Three Feather Corporation.
Patrick Reynaud is a senior associate at Torys LLP. Patrick is an expert and practices in the area of tax law, including tax law relating to charitable organisations. Patrick has also acted as a Program Specialist in Sustainable Development and Environmental Law for the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), an Intergovernmental Organisation based in Rome. Patrick has also been involved as a legal specialist for local NGOs in developing countries, focusing on property rights and freedom of expression.
