Steve Charnovitz

Professor Steve Charnovitz, a Professor of Law at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., passed away on March 23, 2025 in New York City. Steve taught at the George Washington University Law School and wrote on international trade, international law, U.S. foreign relations law, and environmental sustainability. Steve was an internationally recognized scholar as an author, co-author, or editor of four books and over 274 articles, essays, and book reviews. He served on the Editorial Boards of the World Trade Review; Cosmopolis, A Review of Cosmopolitics; Journal of Environment & Development; American Journal of International Law; and Journal of International Economic Law. Steve delivered talks throughout the world, including the keynote address to the informal meeting of EU Trade Ministers in Valencia, Spain, in 2023.

He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (since 2002) and the American Law Institute (since 2010). Prior to joining the George Washington Law faculty in 2004, Steve practiced law for six years at WilmerHale in Washington, D.C. From 1995 to 1999, he was Director of the Global Environment & Trade Study (GETS) at Yale University. As Policy Director at the Competitiveness Policy Council from 1991 to 1995, Steve issued four reports to the U.S. Congress and President. From 1987 to 1991, he was the Legislative Assistant to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (Jim Wright and Thomas Foley). Early in his career, Steve was an analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor, where his assignments included investigating foreign labor conditions, trade adjustment assistance, and technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Steve was born on Sept. 15, 1953 in Savannah, Georgia, to Minnie Hoffman Charnovitz and Edward Charnovitz. Steve began his education at Charles Ellis School in Savannah. After his family moved to Maryland in 1964, he became a proud graduate of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He received a BA from Yale College in 1975, an MPP from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and JD from Yale Law School in 1998. Steve was known for his sharp mind, quick wit, and personal charm, which touched many people. Steve was a loving son and husband. After his father died in 1982, Steve became a caring and attentive companion to his mother. They traveled extensively together and worked on many of Steve’s academic projects.

As a devoted husband and head of his beloved four-story Victorian townhouse built by James Gowan, Steve immersed himself in various home projects. He adorned his prominent Foggy Bottom home with curated chandeliers, stained glass windows, and restoration of the historic brick façade. Steve loved his indoor domestic cats, who had the run of the house and were regulars in Steve’s home office. Steve treasured life. He enjoyed playing tennis, running, and exercising as an active member of Washington area gyms. With his beloved wife, Sally, Steve traveled extensively, making long trips to South America, Europe, Australia, and the United States. Steve and Sally were Cunard World Club Platinum members and 5-star Mariners with Holland America. Steve was a patron of the arts as an Insider Member of the Sydney Opera, Sydney, Australia, a Patron Member of the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and a Contributor Member of the Kennedy Center in Washington. For more than twenty years, Steve was an active member of the Cosmos Club in Washington. Steve and Sally danced weekly with the Argentine Tango community, the Uruguay Embassy, and Chevy Chase Ballroom for many years, and they were currently active members of Mimi Reiger Yoga studio in Washington. Steve leaves behind his wife, Sally O’Brien Charnovitz, her son Joseph, Steve’s sister Diane Cummings, two aunts, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements in care of Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th St, New York, NY. Steve will be laid to rest with his parents at King David Memorial Gardens, Fairfax, Virginia in a private service. A memorial will be held at a later date. Donations in Steve’s memory can be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org).