Practice focuses exclusively on energy, environmental and administrative law, with emphasis on Pipeline Safety Act, Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, NEPA, RCRA, CERCLA and TSCA issues. Experience in compliance advice, enforcement defense, administrative adjudication and environmental litigation. Representative clients include oil and natural gas pipelines, chemical manufacturers and the pulp and paper industry.
Relevant Experience 
- Advise corporations and municipalities on compliance issues arising under complex energy, transportation and environmental laws.
- Provide advice to oil and gas companies on infrastructure expansion, integrity management and contingency planning issues.
Represented some of the largest oil pipelines in the country on Pipeline Safety Act, Clean Water Act and other enforcement actions. Represented a POTW in Florida in defense of a Clean Water Act citizen suit seeking more than $50 million in civil penalties. Obtained summary judgment for the discharger resulting in no penalty. Participated in negotiation of one of the first Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) under the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. Negotiated numerous SEPs subsequently, resulting in significant reduction of environmental civil penalties in various cases. - Resolved complex RCRA Section 3008(h) administrative proceedings through negotiated settlements, resulting in significant reductions in scope of work.
Additional Experience
Expansion of the Energy Infrastructure: Oil & Gas Pipelines
Background
- Law Clerk, Hon. Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1986–87
Membership
- Member, State Bar of Georgia, Environmental and Administrative Law Sections
- Member, American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources; Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice
Awards and Professional Recognition
- Recognized by Chambers "Clients' Guide to Leading U.S. Business Lawyers" as a leading lawyer in the environmental practice, selected by clients (2004–2009)
- Selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers (Environmental), as published in Atlanta Magazine and Georgia Super Lawyers magazine®, March 2004–2009
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law, 2005–2008
Education - J.D., Lewis and Clark, Northwestern School of Law, Articles Editor, Environmental Law Review, 1986
- B.A., Reed College, Anthropology, 1980
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