January 02, 2025

A passion for action: ASU Law alum takes on her dream role of protecting the environment

The path to a dream job can be long and sometimes unpredictable. For Alexandria Gordon, this journey was one of passion, resilience and a commitment to protecting Arizona’s environment. Today, as assistant attorney general in the Environmental Protection Unit of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Gordon is doing exactly what she envisioned when she was a JD student at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University — fighting for the people of Arizona and the environment they depend on.

Upon graduating ASU Law in 2023, Gordon quickly transitioned from a state agency role to a position that has become a dream come true, working as a trial attorney tackling environmental challenges head-on.

“This work is crucial to the Arizona community because the Office of the Attorney General plays a central role in ensuring that state laws are upheld and public interests are protected,” Gordon said. “As the largest law firm in the state, it provides legal advice and representation to state agencies and acts as a safeguard for consumers, taxpayers and vulnerable populations.”

Whether it’s tackling issues like consumer protection, environmental enforcement or civil rights, the office directly impacts the lives of Arizona citizens by upholding the rule of law and ensuring the state's legal system works for everyone.

In her role, Gordon has had the opportunity to contribute to the early stages of lawsuits focused on consumer protections and public nuisance to protect Arizonans and the resources they rely on. 

“Being involved in these foundational efforts has been a meaningful and rewarding experience, especially knowing these cases' potential long-term positive impacts,” she expressed.

Gordon credits her success to her time at ASU Law, citing the professors' support in helping her achieve her goals and the valuable insights she gained to maintain realistic expectations.

“One experience that stands out was with Professor Troy Rule, who gave me advice that I still carry with me: he told me I might not land my dream job right out of law school,” she recalled. “While that wasn’t exactly the news I wanted to hear then, he helped me understand how to position myself in a way that would eventually lead me there. His perspective helped me focus on building the right experiences, and with some fortuitous timing, I was able to secure my dream job much sooner than I anticipated.”

As someone who struggled with confidence in law school, Gordon advises others seeking to follow her path to embrace the journey, remember growth is a process, not a race and don’t be afraid to embrace discomfort. Looking ahead, Gordon remains committed to her mission of making a lasting impact on Arizona’s environment and its people.

Written by Crystal Jimenez