Karen M. McGaffey
- Firmwide Lead, Energy Law
- Seattle
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A seasoned environmental lawyer with more than 30 years of experience, Karen helps clients bring projects to life.
Karen McGaffey assists clients with the development and permitting of a wide variety of energy and infrastructure projects. She counsels clients on compliance and regulatory matters under federal and state environmental laws and advises them on the environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions. She also represents clients in environmental litigation, including enforcement actions and citizen suits.
A leader in the industry, Karen counsels clients on the development of all types of energy facilities, including wind, solar, hydrogen, renewable fuels, natural gas power, cogeneration facilities, electricity storage, transmission lines, and pipelines. Karen regularly advises clients on strategic business and policy matters concerning energy facility siting, renewable energy, climate change, and sustainability.
Karen is a fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers. She teaches classes on renewable energy development, climate law, and sustainability for the Environmental Law Institute, the Vermont Law and Graduate School, and Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, Editor and Developments Office Chair, Harvard Law Review, 1989
- Dartmouth College, A.B., Philosophy, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1985
- University of Cambridge, Queens College, Philosophy, 1985 – 1986
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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Colorado
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Bogle & Gates P.L.L.C., Seattle, WA, Member, 1997-1999; Associate, 1990-1997
Clerkships
- Hon. George Lohr, Supreme Court of Colorado
Professional Recognition
Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers
Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer" for Environment, 2010-present
Best Lawyers in America: Energy Law; Environmental Law; Litigation - Environmental; Natural Resources Law, 2010-present
Washington's Super Lawyers, 2012-present
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Executive Scholar Certificate, 2022
- The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Renewable Energy Committee, Chair, 2023-present
- The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Trustee 2022-2024
- Perkins Coie Management and Executive Committees, 2011-2016
- Perkins Coie, Environment, Energy & Resources Firmwide Chair, 2016-2023
- American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, Committee on Water Quality, Vice Chair, 1997-2006
- Northwest Women’s Law Center, Board of Directors, 1995-2001; President 1998-1999
