Elena Romerdahl is an experienced energy and natural resources attorney. Elena’s practice focuses on oil, gas and mining issues; project development and finance; state and federal permitting; litigation; enforcement actions and administrative appeals concerning environmental and natural resource issues; utility rate and tariff matters; environmental compliance counseling; contaminated site investigations; due diligence and title review for natural resource deals; commercial agreements for resource projects; and occupational safety and health issues. She represents clients in proceedings before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Alaska Office of Administrative Hearings, as well as in litigation in state and federal court.
Before joining Perkins Coie, Elena served as assistant attorney general in the Alaska Department of Law’s Natural Resources Section. In that capacity, she represented the State of Alaska in multiparty negotiations associated with the Alaska North Slope liquefied natural gas project and worked on numerous oil and gas development projects involving permitting and land use; lease administration; dismantlement, removal and restoration issues; royalty and taxation matters; and commercial issues.
Elena was born and raised in Alaska and has a deep understanding of the state regulatory agencies overseeing resource development. Her experience advising state agencies on resource management, development and production matters, permitting, lease administration, agency decisions and administrative appeals, and assisting senior agency personnel with legislative matters allows her to provide valuable insight and support to resource clients operating throughout Alaska.
Listed in Chambers USA Two Years in a Row
Natural Resources & Environment
Professional Recognition
- Listed in Chambers USA as an "Up and Coming" Natural Resources & Environment Lawyer, 2023-2024
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Natural Resources Law, 2021-2024
Professional Leadership
- Alaska Bar Association, Attorney Discipline Hearing Committee
- Alaska Bar Association, Pro Bono Committee
- Alaska Association of Women Lawyers, Board of Directors
Community Involvement
- Thread Alaska, Board of Directors, President
- Alaska Resources Education, Board of Directors
- Georgetown University Regional Alumni Contact for Alaska
Related Employment
- Alaska Department of Law, Natural Resources Section, Anchorage, AK, Assistant Attorney General, 2014 - 2017
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, NY, Associate, 2011 - 2013
Clerkships
- Hon. Timothy M. Burgess, U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, 2013 - 2014
- Hon. Craig F. Stowers, Supreme Court of Alaska, 2010 - 2011