Experience

Environmental Integrity Project

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Water Quality Attorney

  • Jul 2022 - Present

  Represent citizens and communities in litigation to improve and protect our waters. Represent citizens and communities in litigation to improve and protect our waters.



Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment

• Permits Section Manager, Water Quality Control Division

  • Apr 2019 - Jun 2022

  Manage CDPHE's Clean Water Program's 25-person permitting section. Includes permits to surface water and groundwater. Also manage authorizations to use reclaimed water. Supported work to establish PFAS policy that authorizes the state to establish effluent limits for five PFAS. Issued first-in-nation NPDES permits with effective PFAS effluent limits in November 2020. Developed and implemented first-in-nation PFAS survey of NPDES dischargers. Key author of Colorado’s April 2019 comment on draft Trump Administration Waters of the United States rule. Manage litigation against industry/permittee challenges to coal mines, oil and gas cleanups, gold mines, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal stormwater permits. Regularly work to revise and improve state water quality regulations, including 5 CCR 1002-22, 61, and 84. Established innovative ways to better connect with disparate stakeholders. Lead work to better incorporate environmental justice factors and community input into permitting decisions. Work to implement Colorado’s multipronged nutrient reduction strategy. Co-led work to improve state oil and gas regulations’ protections for groundwater, including testimony.



Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Permits Unit 1 Manager, Water Quality Control Division

  • Jun 2018 - Apr 2019

  Managed one of four Clean Water Program permitting units. Includes groundwater, dewatering, and stormwater permits, as well as reclaimed water authorizations. Prior to August 2018, was a Water Quality Control Division Policy Adviser. Managed one of four Clean Water Program permitting units. Includes groundwater, dewatering, and stormwater permits, as well as reclaimed water authorizations. Prior to August 2018, was a Water Quality Control Division Policy Adviser.



Colorado Attorney General's Office

• United States
• Law Enforcement
• 200 - 300 Employee

• First Assistant Attorney General, Water Quality and Radiation Unit

  • Nov 2017 - May 2018

  Led unit responsible for representing Colorado Dept. of Public Health and the Environment’s Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Radiation Control programs. Specific caseload described below.

• Assistant Attorney General

  • Mar 2015 - Oct 2017

  Water Quality and Radiation Control UnitNatural Resources & Environment SectionSuccessfully defended NPDES permits in administrative and state district court. Represented state in United States v. Colorado Springs multi-million dollar municipal stormwater permit enforcement case. Represented state in complex Denver Water “optimal corrosion control” lead and copper rule decisions, which ultimately led to a groundbreaking lead pipe replacement program by Denver Water. Successfully enforced drinking water regulations in state district court. Represented state in a series of complex matters involving discovered public water systems. Represented state programs in Water Quality Control Commission water quality standards rulemakings. Represented and counseled state regarding groundwater, including mining and solid waste issues.



Hogan Lovells

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Attorney

  • 2011 - Mar 2015

  Litigated and provided regulatory advice on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act Sections 4, 7, and 9; the National Historic Preservation Act; Clean Water Act Section 404; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; public land management statutes; the Coastal Zone Management Act; Quiet Title Act R.S. 2477 issues; the Mineral Leasing Act; and Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. Litigated and provided regulatory advice on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act Sections 4, 7, and 9; the National Historic Preservation Act; Clean Water Act Section 404; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; public land management statutes; the Coastal Zone Management Act; Quiet Title Act R.S. 2477 issues; the Mineral Leasing Act; and Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing.



Earthjustice

• United States
• Law Practice
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Associate Attorney

  • May 2008 - Jun 2011

  Litigated federal public lands cases with Endangered Species Act, Mineral Leasing Act, Quiet Title Act, and National Environmental Policy Act claims. Litigated federal public lands cases with Endangered Species Act, Mineral Leasing Act, Quiet Title Act, and National Environmental Policy Act claims.



U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Law Clerk

  • Aug 2006 - May 2008

  Clerked for the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel. Cases included NEPA challenges and early site permitting for new power plants. Clerked for the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel. Cases included NEPA challenges and early site permitting for new power plants.



Georgetown Environmental Law and Policy Center

• Research Assistant

  • 2005 - 2006

  Researched and drafted amicus briefs addressing regulatory takings, federal lands grazing, and water rights. Researched and drafted amicus briefs addressing regulatory takings, federal lands grazing, and water rights.



Kentuckians for the Commonwealth

• Community Organizer

  • Nov 1999 - Jul 2003

  Organized communities in Eastern Kentucky around environmental and economic justice issues. Reviewed and responded to coal mine permit applications. Led workshops on surface mining laws, mineral taxation, and economic development. Lobbied in the state legislature. Organized communities in Eastern Kentucky around environmental and economic justice issues. Reviewed and responded to coal mine permit applications. Led workshops on surface mining laws, mineral taxation, and economic development. Lobbied in the state legislature.