Josh Mandelbaum

Josh Mandelbaum is a senior attorney with ELPC, based in Des Moines. Josh’s practice focus is clean energy and clean water. His work helps facilitate Iowa and the Midwest’s transition to a clean energy economy, and ensures Iowa’s water is clean and safe. Before joining ELPC, Josh practiced law with Lane & Waterman LLP in Davenport, Iowa. Previously, Josh served as a senior policy advisor to Iowa Gov. Thomas J. Vilsack and Lt. Gov. Sally J. Pederson. Prior to his work in the governor’s office, Josh held a fellowship at the U.S. Department of Transportation in the Secretary’s Policy Office. Josh is a 2000 Truman Scholar, a 2001 magna cum laude graduate of Brown University, and a 2009 honors graduate from the University of Iowa College of Law. Outside of ELPC, Josh currently serves on the Des Moines City Council.

WHAT’S A PLACE YOU LOVE IN THE MIDWEST?

I grew up hiking along the sandstone cliffs of the Ledges State Park, and it is now a place that I have taken my own children to enjoy the outdoors. Whiterock Conservancy is a 5,500-acre conservancy with a mix of habitats and that has modeled conservation and sustainability practices.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO DO THIS WORK?

The work that we do at ELPC is critical to protecting our environment and creating sustainability and better quality of life for generations to come. Being a part of the solution to some of the most important problems that society faces is rewarding and motivating.