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Environment, Energy & Resources

Environmental & Natural Resources (Primary)

Environment, Energy & Resources

Navigating complexity, delivering clarity in environmental law.

Experienced in permitting large projects, advising on challenging contaminated sites, and litigating sophisticated matters and valued for high-performance and standard-setting regulatory compliance and auditing programs, Perkins Coie’s 90 Environment, Energy & Resources lawyers navigate clients across the complicated statutory and regulatory framework of environmental, energy, and natural resource law in the United States.

Our team’s excellence led to being named Environment Law Firm of the Year by Chambers USA in 2023. We advise, litigate, and help shape environmental policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Our lawyers have the experience, depth, and breadth to address any environmental or natural resource issue for our clients, whose work spans a range of industries. 

Perkins Coie's environmental lawyers provide comprehensive legal services, supporting clients across various sectors with proactive and reactive environmental needs.

How we help clients

  • Environmental compliance and enforcement.
  • Remediation and development of contaminated properties.
  • Project permitting and development.
  • Environmental litigation.
  • Policy, legislation, and rulemaking.

Areas of Focus

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement

Perkins Coie’s environmental lawyers set the standard for realistic, cost-effective performance. We provide comprehensive counsel in areas such as: 

  • Water Quality 
  • Air Emissions 
  • Hazardous Materials in Products 
  • Chemical and Hazardous Substances 
  • Hazardous Waste 
  • Climate Change 
  • Occupational Health and Safety 
  • Compliance Counseling and Auditing 
  • Investigations 
  • Environmental Permits 

Remediation and Development of Contaminated Properties

We represent clients across the country on some of the most challenging contaminated sites. From voluntary cleanups to compliance with remedial action orders, clients benefit from our experience in problem-solving, assessing environmental risk, and negotiating with agencies of all scopes. Our work includes matters such as: 

  • CERCLA and RCRA Compliance 
  • Environmental Litigation 
  • Remediation Counseling 
  • Brownfield Development 
  • Due Diligence 
  • Transactional Support 
  • Corrective Actions 
  • Voluntary Cleanup 
  • Spill and Release Reporting 
  • Military Base Reuse 

Project Permitting and Development

Perkins Coie lawyers assist clients in obtaining all manner of environmental and land use permits, as well as helping both public and private sector clients with permitting and environmental review for major infrastructure projects. 

Our team is experienced in virtually every sector, including solar and wind projects, transmission lines, mining projects, highway and transit projects, port developments, and water storage and supply projects. We offer a thorough understanding of environmental reviews and permitting requirements, including: 

  • Environmental Impact Assessments under NEPA and similar state statutes 
  • Endangered Species Act Consultations 
  • Cultural Resources and Historic Properties 
  • Clean Air Act 
  • Clean Water Act 
  • Native American Law and Policy 
  • Federal and Tribal Lands 
  • Land Use Development Entitlements and Permitting 
  • Military Base Redevelopments 
  • CEQA and state environmental review and permitting laws 

Environmental Litigation

We are known for successfully litigating some of the most significant environmental and natural resource cases in the nation. Our environmental litigation lawyers regularly appear before federal and state trial courts, appellate courts, and administrative tribunals on a range of matters, from challenges and administrative approvals to complex, multiparty cleanup cases. Our litigation experience includes: 

  • Superfund and Related Litigation 
  • Defense of Criminal, Civil, and Administrative Enforcement 
  • Natural Resource Damages 
  • Project Development Approval and Permitting Litigation 
  • Citizen Suit Defense 
  • Toxic Tort, Nuisance, and Property Damage Claims 
  • Administrative and Judicial Appeals 
  • Cost Recovery for Insurance Policy Holders 
  • Native American Law and Policy   

Policy, Legislation, and Rulemaking

Our clients are actively involved in environmental and natural resources legislation and rulemaking, and they look to our lawyers for support. We work with them to develop and advocate for or against legislative proposals and continually monitor relevant legislative developments. 

In the regulatory arena, we are often called upon to assist clients with submitting comments on proposed regulations and assessing potential impacts. Our lawyers frequently appear before federal agencies—including the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others—on policy issues affecting the businesses and projects of our clients. 

Energy & Natural Resources

Cleantech

We have the experience to advise on a variety of clean technologies, from carbon capture to hydrogen production and storage, as well as alternative energy solutions. Our clients encompass venture capital and private equity funds, governmental bodies, the U.S. Department of Energy, research facilities, service providers, and other essential industry contributors. 

Energy 

We serve companies in both traditional and newly deregulated energy markets, as well as those pioneering innovative energy technologies. We help clients structure and negotiate transactions, navigate the complex regulatory and permitting frameworks governing the industry, and litigate issues involving the energy sector.

Mining

Our team is skilled in all facets of natural resource project representation and offers one of the most prominent mining practices in the nation. As the go-to law firm for project permitting and mineral property development in Alaska and beyond, we provide comprehensive assistance with various infrastructure needs, from minor to major. Our client base spans from junior exploration companies to the world’s largest mining conglomerates. 

Oil & Gas

With a rich history in addressing the legal complexities of the entire oil and gas supply chain, we provide targeted legal solutions for the exploration, production, and transportation of these vital energy resources. We assist clients on issues involving the production of environmental assessments and impact statements in accordance with NEPA and its local analogs. We assist in securing the essential licenses and permits from FERC, state siting authorities, and other relevant federal and state agencies to ensure water and air quality and the conservation of wetlands. We also provide strategic counsel regarding resource conservation legislation.

Awards and Recognition

  • Named Environment Law Firm of the Year – Chambers, 2023
  • Named Environment Law Firm of the Year – Best Lawyers, 2020
  • Named Natural Resources Law Firm of the Year – Best Lawyers, 2021, 2019, and 2017
  • Ranked by Chambers USA: Recognized as a leading practice in environmental law (2010-present)
Related Services Litigation Real Estate & Land Use Related Industries Energy Infrastructure & Clean Technology Forest Products Land Development Mining Oil & Gas
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