Environmental law can differ greatly depending on an attorney’s client base; one can work for a public interest group or firm to fight to preserve the environment or can represent companies to navigate environmental regulations. On either side, the practice heavily involves regulations and laws at the national, state, and local level. Practitioners in this area should be comfortable with science as well as politics, which both figure heavily into the practice. Environmental lawyers for public interest groups can work long hours for little pay and feel that they are always fighting deeper pockets. Lawyers representing companies can feel frustrated by the regulations that prevent commercial activity. In large firms, many real estate, energy, and project finance lawyers will deal with environmental regulations in their deals, and litigators representing companies in these sectors will also deal with environmental issues. Among areas environmental lawyers may handle include air quality, chemicals regulation, California’s environmental standards, contamination, hazardous materials, insurance, natural resources, mining, occupational safety and health, Superfund, sustainability, toxic torts, water, wildlife protection, and more.
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Real Estate Law
- Regulatory Law
- Seminars (e.g., Climate Change, International Environmental Law, Natural Resources, etc.)
- Torts
- Boutique environmental law firm
- Government service at the EPA or similar state agency
- Public interest law firm or organization
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
Amber: I practice environmental and natural resources law, with a focus on litigation and regulatory compliance. I defend clients in trial and appellate courts, advise on permitting and rulemaking, and guide companies through enforcement actions and contested case hearings before agencies, such as the TCEQ and the Texas Railroad Commission. My work also includes defending permits and counseling clients on biosolids, land application, and water quality issues. I help clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks at the federal, state, administrative, and appellate levels.
Jack: I split my time between environmental white collar defense and regulatory compliance. On the enforcement side, I conduct internal investigations and defend companies and individuals in criminal and administrative matters, which requires learning their business in detail so we can present the facts accurately and persuasively when something has gone wrong. On the regulatory side, I counsel clients in the food, chemical, and antimicrobial industries on EPA and FDA requirements, helping them both to design product labeling and marketing strategies that comply with complex regulations and to resolve compliance issues efficiently. Beveridge & Diamond encouraged me to build a multifaceted practice, and this support has allowed me to work seamlessly across investigative, regulatory, and appellate matters.
What types of clients do you represent?
Amber: I represent critical infrastructure companies such as landfills and wastewater systems, as well as industrial clients in the petrochemical, energy, and agricultural sectors. My clients, who operate in highly regulated environments, rely on me to protect their operations and ensure compliance in highly regulated environments.
Jack: I represent critical infrastructure companies such as landfills and wastewater systems, as well as industrial clients in the chemical and agricultural sectors, and food and anti-microbial product manufacturers.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
Amber: I handle product liability and nuisance litigation, enforcement matters, and permit defense. My experience includes defending permitting decisions, litigating water rights disputes, and representing clients in high-stakes enforcement actions. I also advise on regulatory strategy and compliance to help clients proactively manage risk and avoid costly disputes.
Jack: I handle internal investigations, criminal defense, and administrative enforcement matters, often working on several of these in parallel to ensure a client’s narrative and strategy remain aligned. I collaborate closely with colleagues across practices—strengthening the overall defense and broadening my own skill set.
How did you choose this practice area?
Amber: Early in law school, I knew I wanted to pursue work with tangible, real-world impact rather than focus solely on financial disputes. I was drawn to policy issues and the energy industry, which led me to study energy law. From there, I developed a strong interest in water law and discovered how engaging the intersection of policy and natural resource issues could be. This combination of practical impact and complex regulatory challenges ultimately guided me toward environmental and natural resources law.
Jack: Environmental law sits at the intersection of some of the most consequential legal, scientific, and policy questions of this century, and I started law school knowing I wanted to work in that space. The pandemic gave me an early opportunity to dig into antimicrobial product regulation, as companies rushed new products to market without appreciating the complexity of EPA and FDA regimes. My white collar practice grew more unexpectedly. A principal needed help on a criminal case. I said “yes” and quickly realized how much I enjoyed investigative and advocacy work, and one of these matters quickly became a core part of my practice.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
Amber: Writing is the foundation of any complex litigator’s work, and I spend a significant part of my day drafting and revising briefs, arguments, and correspondence. Because this is an expert-driven field, I frequently collaborate with technical experts to understand the science and translate complex concepts into clear, persuasive arguments for courts. Given the complexity of my docket, most matters are handled by sophisticated teams, and I often manage the day-to-day workflow to keep multiple work streams on track.
Jack: In an investigation, my work focuses on mastering the law and the facts and coordinating the team to advocate effectively with prosecutors or regulators. I review large volumes of documents and data, conduct employee interviews, and work closely with experts to understand a client’s technical operations. In parallel, I dig into relevant statutes, regulations, and guidance to map out the elements, defenses, and exceptions associated with any potential charges. From there, I distill what we have learned into clear reports, chronologies, and advocacy pieces, often culminating in a presentation aimed at persuading the government not to bring charges. These matters are intensely collaborative, so I also spend significant time managing work streams to align our factual, legal, and strategic efforts and keep the investigation moving forward.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
Amber: While courses in environmental law, water law, and energy law are obvious starting points, I believe students should also focus on mastering civil and administrative procedure. Whether you plan to be a litigator or a regulatory specialist, a strong grasp of procedural rules—and the ability to connect the dots across complex systems—is essential. This foundation not only sharpens legal analysis but also equips you to navigate the regulatory and judicial processes that define environmental and natural resources practice.
Jack: Substantive coursework in environmental and criminal law is helpful, but the true differentiators are technical fluency and people skills. The matters are fact- and data-heavy, so learn to read lab reports and budgets, analyze data in Excel, and build detailed chronologies; facility with generative AI tools to organize and test hypotheses is increasingly essential. Just as important, white collar defense is personal work: You will ask clients and employees hard questions about sensitive topics and then translate their experiences to skeptical prosecutors. Empathy, active listening, and the ability to tell a fair, human story is critical.
What is the most challenging aspect of practicing in this area?
Amber: The most challenging aspect of this practice is the constantly evolving scientific, legal, and regulatory land-scape. Staying ahead of new developments requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to adapt quickly and think strategically. Successfully navigating this uncertainty—whether it’s shifting regulatory frameworks, emerging scientific data, or novel legal arguments—is what distinguishes strong practitioners from truly exceptional ones.
What do you like best about your practice area?
Amber: What I enjoy most about this practice area is the same thing that makes it challenging: The practice is constantly evolving. The field is populated by passionate and dedicated scientists, regulators, and practitioners who work together to address complex environmental and resource issues. In litigation, both plaintiffs and defendants often advance policy and business propositions aimed at serving the common good. I find it rewarding to be at the fulcrum of these competing policy interests helping shape arguments, clarify science, and navigate the intersection of law, regulation, and public policy.
What misconceptions exist about your practice area?
Amber: This practice area is constantly evolving. What people may not know is that everyone in this field is passionate and dedicated, and we are all working to advance policy and business propositions that are for the common good.
What kinds of experience can summer associates gain at this practice area at your firm?
Jack: On the white collar defense side, summer associates gain meaningful experience by helping teams prepare for and sit in on client interviews. Interviews are at the heart of most investigations and are where we come to understand clients on a personal level—their choices, actions, and perspectives on what happened. Preparing for and observing these conversations is excellent training in active listening, issue-spotting, and narrative development. It is also very different from a deposition or other formal proceeding and a great way to see how our team builds trust with clients and translates what we learn into an effective investigative and defense strategy.
Amber Ahmed brings a decade of state service to her legal practice, with extensive litigation experience from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Division. Since joining Beveridge & Diamond, Amber has worked on biosolids, land application, and water quality issues, and she represents critical infrastructure clients, including landfills, wastewater systems, and companies in the petrochemical, energy, and agricultural sectors. She guides clients through complex regulatory and legal landscapes at every level: federal, state, administrative, and appellate.
A litigator’s litigator, Amber leads trial court and appellate defense of products liability and nuisance litigation. Drawing on her background in Texas state government, she represents clients in contested case hearings and enforcement matters before the TCEQ and the Texas Railroad Commission. Amber attended the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and serves as Vice Chair of the State Bar of the Texas Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section.
Jack Zietman represents clients in complex internal investigations and related criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement actions. He has extensive experience navigating high-stakes matters involving whistleblower complaints and alleged regulatory violations, fraud, and business misconduct. His practice involves close collaboration with clients to develop robust legal and technical strategies tailored to their unique needs. Jack also counsels clients on regulatory matters under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, particularly regarding antimicrobial products; and the Toxic Substances Control Act. He maintains an active appellate litigation practice. Jack attended Harvard Law School.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
I help clients obtain permits for mining and mineral exploration activities in the United States. Clients develop an exploration program or a mine plan. I then outline the federal, state, and local permits required to commence development and develop legal positions to underpin permit applications with an eye toward legal defensibility in the event of litigation. Because mining is a highly regulated industry, permit applications for mining projects often require extensive supporting technical and environmental documentation. These applications can be analogous to a litigation brief, requiring an analysis of how the technical and environmental documentation presented in support of the application satisfies the permit criteria of the regulatory agencies.
What types of clients do you represent?
I represent mining and mineral exploration companies across a variety of sectors, including the precious metals, base metals, critical minerals, and building materials sectors. I am currently working on gold, silver, copper, nickel, lithium, and rare earths projects.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
I am helping companies explore for and develop minerals that are needed to support modern-day life as we know it here in the United States. Computers, phones, cars, planes—just about everything—require minerals that are mined.
Currently, there are a significant number of companies seeking to rapidly commence mineral exploration in the United States. It is a result of the current administration’s efforts to reshore domestic mineral processing and the condition of capital markets and metals prices, among other things.
How did you choose this practice area?
After two years of general litigation and three years of general land use and environmental law, I wanted to find a niche. I had worked on some mining projects and observed that there were not a lot of attorneys working in this space. I joined a firm with a mining practice and absolutely loved the substance.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
My typical day consists of meetings with clients to discuss their objectives for mining and mineral exploration and developing frameworks of evidence they will need to present to regulatory agencies to obtain permits. Internally, I am managing associates who are researching legal issues related to proposed activities and the applicable permitting programs. Externally, I am managing work product and studies prepared by technical and environmental consultants and conferring with regulators regarding pending and forthcoming applications. In addition, I am defending litigation filed by third parties seeking to challenge permits that have been issued.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
I would read about public land laws and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related case law. The Foundation for Natural Resources and Environmental Law has excellent online presentations available for download.
What do you like best about your practice area?
What I like best about my practice area—mining and mineral exploration permitting—is the unique combination of technical complexity, regulatory challenge, and real-world impact.
This area of law is at the forefront of the energy transition and energy independence in the United States. By helping clients secure permits for projects involving critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and rare earths, we are facilitating the supply chains needed for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced battery storage. These minerals are indispensable for traditional and developing energy infrastructure.
It’s rewarding to help clients navigate a highly regulated landscape, where permit applications are often challenged by third parties and require rigorous analysis and strategic thinking to ensure legal defensibility. I enjoy collaborating with a diverse set of professionals—clients, technical consultants, and regulators. The dynamism of the industry, especially with the current push for domestic mineral production, makes this practice area both intellectually stimulating and deeply meaningful to me.
Ultimately, I appreciate how my work not only supports traditional industries but also plays a pivotal role in developing new technologies and advancing national priorities for sustainability and energy security.
What misconceptions exist about your practice area?
One of the most common misconceptions about mining and mineral exploration law is that it is narrowly focused on extraction and primarily benefits large corporations at the expense of the environment. In reality, the practice is far more nuanced and balanced. Modern mining projects in the United States are subject to some of the world’s most rigorous environmental standards and extensive regulatory oversight. Obtaining permits requires careful analysis of complex technical and environmental documentation and robust public engagement with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship.
Another misconception is that mining law is outdated or unchanging. In fact, the field is rapidly evolving in response to new technologies, shifting market demands, and emerging priorities such as the energy transition and the need for domestic sources of critical minerals. Legal practitioners in this area must stay current on developments in environmental law, public land policy, and regulatory frameworks.
Finally, some people assume that mining permitting is a purely adversarial process. While there can be litigation and public opposition, much of my work involves collaboration—not only with clients but also with regulators, technical experts, and community stakeholders—to design projects that balance economic, technological, and environmental interests. This practice area is dynamic and plays a vital role in supporting both economic development and the advancement of clean energy and new technologies in the United States.
What is unique about your practice area at your firm?
What is unique about my practice area at my firm is that it seamlessly integrates aspects of many different practices, including M&A, litigation, environmental law, and land use. Mining and mineral exploration permitting is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring collaboration not only with technical and environmental consultants but also with colleagues who specialize in transactions, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.
For instance, our mining clients often pursue mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures to expand their portfolios or access new resources, so we work closely with our M&A team to navigate the legal complexities of these transactions. Litigation is a key component as well; defending permits against challenges from third parties or advocating for clients in regulatory disputes calls for strategic input from our litigation group. Environmental and land use experience is essential for preparing robust applications and managing compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
This integrated approach allows us to deliver comprehensive, tailored solutions for clients involved in projects vital to the energy transition and the development of new technologies. By drawing on the strengths and knowledge of multiple practice areas within the firm, we are able to address the full spectrum of legal and strategic challenges that arise in mining and mineral exploration, making our practice truly distinct in the legal market.
How do you see this practice area evolving in the future?
I see the mining and mineral exploration permitting practice area becoming increasingly important as the demand for critical minerals grows to support the energy transition, renewable technologies, and U.S. energy independence. Regulatory requirements will likely become more complex, with heightened attention to environmental impacts, community engagement, and sustainability. The integration of new technologies in both mining operations and regulatory processes will also shape the landscape, requiring lawyers to stay current on technical developments and compliance strategies.
Looking ahead, collaboration across M&A, litigation, and environmental law will be even more essential as projects become larger and more scrutinized. Overall, this practice area will continue to evolve rapidly, playing a key role in enabling sus-tainable development and technological innovation.
Martin Stratte is a land use and environmental attorney who represents mining and mineral exploration companies. He helps clients obtain permits for mining and mineral exploration and counsels clients on compliance with applicable federal, state, and local land use and environmental laws.
His combination of permitting experience and first-chair trial and appellate court litigation experience enhances his representation of clients through the life cycle of a project, from planning through development to completion.
Prior to joining Hunton, Marty was assistant general counsel at a leading U.S. supplier of construction aggregates and heavy building materials. He helped manage land use, zoning, and permitting activities for the company’s network of quarries and mines throughout the United States. He was also a director of a publicly traded gold and base metals company with projects in the United States and Canada. His professional activities outside Hunton currently include serving as Vice Chair of the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association’s Legal Action Committee.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
Allyn: My practice reflects my background in regulatory matters, coming to private practice from the EPA. I provide regulatory advice, primarily on water-related matters, plastics, packaging, and recycling regulations. I also defend state and federal enforcement cases.
Deepti: I counsel clients on international environmental treaties, related national and local laws, and various sustainability-oriented regulations. The subject areas I advise on include climate change, carbon markets, plastics, the transboundary movement of waste, and product regulatory compliance.
What types of clients do you represent?
One of the interesting things about practicing at B&D is the diverse range of clients the firm represents. Clients include (among others) major manufacturing, chemical, and energy companies; information technology companies; pharmaceutical and healthcare companies; transportation sector companies; municipalities; apparel, cosmetic, and textile companies; and smaller outfits like carbon brokers and startups.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
Allyn: My practice is a combination of defending agency enforcement actions and regulatory counseling. Enforcement defense involves a lot of litigation-type of activities, including fact investigation, document production, developing strategy for resolution, and negotiation with state and federal regulators. I also help clients understand air, water, and waste compliance and evaluate regulations in the quickly developing field of plastics and packaging recycling.
Deepti: My work is primarily regulatory and transactional. My regulatory work includes sustainability counseling on various regulatory subjects like climate change, materials circularity, carbon markets, green marketing, human rights, product regulatory compliance, and extended producer responsibility. I also counsel and assist with advocacy on various international environmental issues. Through this work, in the past year I have attended negotiations and meetings related to the Basel Convention, the forthcoming Plastics Treaty, and NYC Climate Week. For transactional work, I have the privilege to serve clients from both the buyer and seller/broker sides of carbon transactions. I also serve clients developing green infrastructure from EV charging stations to home solar and battery systems.
How did you choose this practice area?
Allyn: Prior to private practice, I worked for decades at the EPA on enforcement of environmental laws, permitting, and regulatory development. This practice area and this firm were a natural fit for me. When I entered law school, I intended to practice criminal law, but I spent my 1L summer with the EPA’s criminal program, and my love for environmental law emerged. I have never looked back. This field offers intellectually challenging legal work; an evolving set of issues combining law, science, and policy; and wonderful colleagues who are passionate about their work.
Deepti: A culmination of experiences and my underlying interest in the environment led to my career in international environmental law. I also see ESG and sustainability as a new frontier in environmental law, reminiscent of the movements we saw in the 1970s with the creation of the EPA and related environmental laws and regulations. Many firm principals built their careers being the subject matter experts on those laws and regulations when they were first developed and helped make B&D the environmental law firm. I hope to do the same strategically in my career by focusing on the cutting-edge intersection of international law and ESG/sustainability law in their early stages.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
Allyn: My days vary. I often have calls with clients to discuss either new work or existing matters. I also spend time reviewing research, drafting work product (legal analysis, memos, briefs, presentations, etc.), developing legal strategy, and case management. Additionally, I ensure that I make time to contribute to firm governance, business development, and mentoring.
Deepti: As a regulatory and transactional attorney, I find that each day is different. In a day, I work on a variety of matters; for example, I probably communicate with at least five unique clients in a day. I really enjoy this diversity in work. I have also supported a number of pro bono clients, primarily focused on nonprofit governance and immigration. I also help lead our firm’s ESG and sustainability practice group, the apparel and textile practice group, and the Women’s Initiative, and I participate in our recruiting committee.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
Allyn: An introduction to environmental law is usually critical because it is difficult to work in this field without some introduction to the basics (although it is possible). Administrative law is also very helpful, and legal writing is crucial. I also strongly recommend hands-on experience through clinics, internships, and clerkships.
Deepti: While I never took any international environmental law classes in law school, I made my way into international environmental law by gaining experiences through my law school externships in the subject matter and seeking the mentorship of renown international environmental practitioners like Russ LaMotte and Paul Hagen, among others. Knowing multiple languages gave me a leg up, and my background as a business consultant has helped me understand corporate perspectives and project management in numerous matters.
What do you like best about your practice area?
Deepti: I never imagined I could work in international environmental law at a private law firm. Not only do I get to work in a cutting-edge area of the law that I care about, but I also get to serve clients working to comply with, and often advance, environmental law. The work is truly meaningful and impactful.
How do you see this practice area evolving in the future?
Deepti: Parts of my practice are more established, but many are relatively new and evolving. Getting to see and be a part of a nascent field is unique; I am seeing the field grow in real time. Much of the ESG and sustainability work is growing through disclosures, reporting, and due diligence obligations in areas ranging from human rights and critical minerals and resources to carbon emissions and removals.
How do you balance the different hats (from litigation to transactional work to regulatory matters) that an environmental lawyer must wear?
Deepti: Organization, project management, and prioritization are key, so is clear communication with my clients and colleagues. These skills are crucial for managing a diverse set of matters within the environmental regulatory space and outside of the workplace as a mother.
What kinds of experience can summer associates gain in this practice area at your firm?
Deepti: We give our summer associates real assignments throughout the summer and mix in social activities so they can get to know everyone. The summer associate experience is not only a chance for the firm to see if you are a good fit for the firm but is also a chance for you to see if the firm is a good fit for you and your career aspirations.
Allyn Stern’s experience as long-time lawyer and regional counsel at EPA Region 10 informs her deep policy, regulatory, and enforcement knowledge. She helps clients comply with an array of environmental requirements under water, waste, and air regulations. Allyn also helps clients work effectively with regulators, drawing on her 30 years of agency experience. Her practice includes permitting, regulatory compliance, defense of agency civil and administrative enforcement for both industrial and municipal clients, and sustainability counseling.
As an EPA lawyer in Regions 9 and 10, Allyn supervised, developed strategy, and prosecuted hundreds of enforcement matters, with an emphasis on the Clean Water Act (CWA). Serving as Regional Counsel at Region 10, she supervised and developed strategy to defend CWA litigation challenging water quality standards, total maximum daily loads, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.
Deepti Gage supports clients across industry sectors in matters relating to international regulations, corporate social responsibility, supply chains, product stewardship, and renewables while also assisting with litigation related to various environmental statutes. Deepti’s regulatory work involves tracking federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety laws to keep clients apprised of changes in their responsibilities. Her international experience focuses on the circular economy, international and federal laws related to the transboundary movement of waste for recycling and disposal, plastics, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change/Paris Agreement, tax incentives for environmental projects, and carbon trading. Prior to attending law school, Deepti was a financial consultant.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
As a former senior attorney for the EPA, I counsel clients across the spectrum of environmental law, including regulatory compliance, enforcement defense, and transactional matters. I have particular experience with the CERCLA/ Superfund, TSCA, FIFRA, and RCRA, which I use to manage complex compliance issues, advance clients’ business goals through regulatory advocacy, and provide creative solutions to regulatory challenges. I also represent clients in enforcement defense and litigation as needed.
What types of clients do you represent?
I represent clients across a diverse industry base, including chemical and pesticide manufacturing, food and agriculture, oil and gas, electric utility, rail transportation, semiconductor and electronics, real estate investment, financial services, private equity, and retail. My clients range from Fortune 500 corporations to midmarket companies looking to develop and refine sustainable business practices and products.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
With over 20 years of experience exclusively in environmental law, I have led clients through high-stakes regulatory and enforcement matters, including TSCA and FIFRA enforcement matters brought by the EPA alleging violations with multimillion dollar penalties and major operational implications at stake. In other cases, I have worked with clients to successfully navigate the EPA’s Audit Policy to obtain complete penalty relief for voluntary self-disclosures of TSCA, FIFRA, and RCRA noncompliance.
My extensive practice of CERCLA at the highest levels in the federal government allows me to advise clients, particularly in filing and defending cost recovery and contribution actions. While at the EPA, I served as the lead EPA headquarters attorney on cleanup enforcement cases at Superfund sites with remedies exceeding $1 billion and regularly worked on national matters involving CERCLA. In private practice, I have represented multiple clients at high-profile Superfund and state cleanup sites with remedies estimated to cost over $200 million.
In my environmental transactional practice, I focus on the acquisition and sale of heavily regulated companies and environmentally impaired properties. I work with clients to develop and implement environmental risk mitigation strategies, including contractual allocations and indemnities and environmental insurance and obtaining landowner liability protections under state and federal law. I also advise companies on conducting voluntary cleanups and the redevelopment of brownfield sites, including those for renewable energy projects.
How did you choose this practice area?
My interest in environmental issues began in high school, when I spent summers working with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection studying shoreline erosion and coastal ecosystems. At Tufts University, I double majored in environmental studies and English, and I worked at a Sydney-based environmental consulting firm while studying abroad. The firm was founded by the former President of Greenpeace International, who transitioned away from environmental activism to advise Fortune 500 companies on aligning business and environmental goals, driving greater impact by helping corporations integrate sustainability into their core strategies. After graduating from Tufts, I worked at ICF International as a contractor for the EPA, assisting with the development of the ENERGY STAR program, compiling the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and writing about climate change. After law school, it was never a question of if—only where—I would practice environmental law.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
Every day brings something new, and that is what makes this work so engaging. One morning, I might advise a client on PFAS compliance strategies in the context of evolving regulations. By the afternoon, I am negotiating environmental indemnities in a corporate transaction, revising a brief in a CERCLA cost recovery case, or sitting down with the EPA to negotiate a settlement in an administrative enforcement action. On some nights, I am teaching environmental courses as an adjunct law professor at William and Mary Law School, which allows me a chance to share my experience with students and future lawyers. I also spend a considerable amount of time mentoring associates, whether by reviewing assignments, refining work product, or helping them develop business development strategies. And when I am not working on billable matters, I am focused on developing new client relationships through meetings, writing, and speaking engagements.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
Environmental law sits at the intersection of law and science, so developing a strong technical understanding is key. While a formal science background is not required, being comfortable with scientific and engineering concepts provides a significant advantage. Environmental lawyers often collaborate with in-house counsel, but just as frequently, we work with technical teams and business leaders. Having a firm grasp of both the law and the science allows you to identify the most critical issues, craft practical solutions, and communicate clearly with diverse client audiences. Strong writing, public speaking, and the ability to stay on top of emerging regulations and trends in the case law are also essential.
What do you like best about your practice area?
I enjoy the problem-solving and multidimensional aspects of environmental law. It is a practice area full of moving parts— regulatory compliance, liability management, stakeholder dynamics, reputational considerations, and business strategy—and finding ways to align those pieces is very rewarding. One of the most satisfying parts of the work is helping clients turn risks into opportunities. For example, I have worked on projects where contaminated “mothballed” sites were transformed into valuable new assets, from new high-tech manufacturing facilities to state-of-the-art data centers. I also enjoy working with clients to bring cutting-edge technologies and greener products to market, turning environmental challenges into business opportunities that drive profit and progress.
What misconceptions exist about your practice area?
People sometimes think that environmental lawyers in private practice are only reactive, responding to violations or litigating against government agencies and environmental groups. In reality, much of what we do is proactive. We help clients implement voluntary compliance programs that often go beyond regulatory requirements, build sustainable business models, and bring greener products to market. We also engage with regulators to shape more-informed policies. Modern environmental law is not just about managing yesterday’s problems and today’s risks; it is also about anticipating tomorrow’s trends and helping clients stay ahead of them.
What is unique about your practice area at your firm?
Our environmental practice stands out for its size, depth, experience, and collaborative culture. Unlike smaller environmental practices that primarily support other firm practice groups, we have over 50 environmental lawyers who practice within all aspects of environmental law. We are also often the lawyers managing direct client relationships, which opens doors for other practice groups within the firm to collaborate and grow with our clients. Many of our lawyers helped shape major environmental laws from the ground up—drafting regulations and shaping policy during government service—and litigating the seminal cases that shaped the field in private practice. These cases are now the ones that appear in modern environmental law textbooks, serving as the foundation for how courts interpret issues we still face today. Our environmental group is also consistently recognized for its excellence, with accolades from Chambers USA and other leading publications for our strength in the field. These recognitions reflect not just the depth of our practice but also our ability to deliver innovative solutions for the most complex environmental challenges.
How do you balance the different hats (from litigation to transactional work to regulatory matters) that an environmental lawyer must wear?
The variety makes every day different, presenting not just challenges but opportunities. In addition to advising our own clients, we often collaborate with teams across the firm, including the corporate, real estate, capital markets, litigation, tax, and other teams. This allows us to bring specialized value to complex matters. Balancing these roles requires staying current with regulatory developments, viewing legal issues from multiple perspectives, communicating effectively with diverse audiences, and being responsive under pressure. Mastering these skills not only brings variety to the work but also offers opportunities to collaborate and learn from a broad network of highly talented lawyers across the firm.
As a former senior attorney at the EPA, Greg Wall uses his deep agency, regulatory, and enforcement knowledge to help clients solve their most complex environmental matters. His understanding of the intricate workings of the EPA gives him valuable insight into how to best navigate regulatory and enforcement issues, which his clients greatly value.
As co-leader of Hunton Andrews Kurth’s chemicals practice, Mr. Wall provides strategic counsel on chemicals and pesticides regulation, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) cost recovery and contribution actions, structuring compliance audits to help clients obtain penalty mitigation under voluntary disclosure programs, and defending clients in government enforcement actions, particularly under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Greg is also deeply involved in the everchanging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulatory landscape and develops tailored solutions for clients to protect against PFAS liability. Additionally, Greg advises clients on environmental aspects of business transactions, conducting due diligence, negotiating liability allocations, and efficiently resolving post-closing environmental issues.