Public Lands

Senior Counsel

Jeff serves as Senior Counsel to PEER, where he specializes in civil service, scientific integrity, and whistleblower protection issues. Jeff was PEER’s Executive Director from 1997 to 2019 and its Pacific Director from 2019 to 2025. Previously, he was the Policy Director and a staff attorney at the Government Accountability Project, representing whistleblowers from both the public and private sectors. Before coming to DC, Jeff worked in California state government for 17 years, mostly in the State Legislature as counsel to various committees where he drafted hundreds of laws on topics ranging from energy conservation to the rights of employed inventors. Jeff served stints as a deputy district attorney and an appellate court clerk. He is a graduate of the California Correctional Officers Academy.

PEER Testifies Before Colorado Oil and Gas Commission

by Kyla Bennett | September 4, 2020
Kyla Bennett testified in front of the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission to require a robust analysis of the impacts of oil and gas development ...

Beyond 2020: National Park Service

by Jeff Ruch | September 2, 2020
How the Park Service can continue to preserve the country’s natural and historical heritage for current and future generations ...

PEERMail | Navigating These Treacherous Times

by Tim Whitehouse | September 1, 2020
More ethical firestorms from intermingling official government duties with the upcoming election ...

New Temporary Park Service Appointment Is Illegal

by PEER | August 27, 2020
Lawsuit Amended to Invalidate Latest “De Facto” Park Service Director ...

BLOG | BLM Needs a Future Far Brighter Than Its Past 

by Jeff Ruch | August 26, 2020
Under the Trump administration, BLM has declined even further than in previous decades. We hope for a brighter future for BLM, which is so needed ...
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