The leader of the firm’s environmental practice, Deidre has repeatedly been recognized in Chambers USA, including in 2021, for her “experience, talent, and abilities” in environmental, energy, and administrative law.

Deidre represents clients on permitting, compliance, and litigation relating to the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other environmental statutes. As noted by Chambers USA 2020, clients praise Deidre for being “an outstanding environmental attorney” who is “knowledgeable of and connected with federal agencies.” She frequently counsels clients on administrative rulemaking and policy, providing regulatory clarifications when necessary, and drafting federal and state legislation on a myriad of intricate issues. Deidre is well known for negotiating and obtaining permits for complicated energy and development projects. Her clients include development companies, oil and natural gas pipelines, electric utilities, agricultural interests, state and local agencies, and various trade associations.

Deidre brings over 20 years of practice experience in the water and natural resources space. She advises on permitting matters that present novel issues, such as risks associated with obtaining CWA authorizations, including section 404 and Nationwide Permit 12 authorization from the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), as well as Rivers and Harbors Act section 408 and section 10 authorizations from the Corps.

As part of our energy transition practice, Deidre also assists clients with navigating permitting, regulatory, and compliance standards for the development and transmission of new energy sources and the retirement of traditional energy sources.

Prior to entering private practice, Deidre served as assistant general counsel of the Army at the Pentagon, advising the Secretary of the Army on environmental and land use issues involving the Corps’ Civil Works and section 404 regulatory program, as well as the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. Deidre has extensive experience with federal regulatory agencies, military departments, and the US Department of Justice.

Since 2016, Deidre has been named a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, having been recommended as a reputable and effective litigator by clients and peers. She was recognized by Law360 in 2021 as MVP of the Year, one of only five lawyers recognized nationwide in the environmental category. Deidre is also consistently ranked in both Chambers and Legal 500 for her experience in and thought leadership on novel environmental issues.

Lauded for her exceptional skill and knowledge, Deidre is often called upon to speak at industry meetings and prepare comments for the energy industry on environmental matters.

Deidre is a contributor to the firm’s environmental blog, The Nickel Report, and the firm’s pipeline industry blog, PipelineLaw.com.

Relevant Experience

  • Advises electric utilities and other energy companies on permitting electric transmission and other structures across federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), the United States Forest Service (FS), the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM).
  • Represented mineral rights owner in a challenge alleging Administrative Procedure Act (APA), NEPA, ESA, and NPS regulation violations against a National Park Service approval of a three-dimensional seismic geophysical survey in a national preserve.
  • Advised several of the nation’s largest interstate natural gas pipelines on environmental permitting and siting matters, regulatory compliance, and litigation under the CWA, ESA, NEPA, and other federal environmental laws.
  • Advise liquid natural gas and coal export developers on NEPA, ESA, and CWA permitting and regulatory approvals.
  • Advised major crude oil pipeline operator on regulatory issues involving environmental permitting issues relating to a proposed pipeline replacement project from Minnesota to Wisconsin.
  • Counsels Florida mining company in navigating the CWA section 404 permitting process and related federal requirements, such as NEPA review, the ESA section 7 consultation process, and defending the permit in subsequent litigation.
  • Assists with obtaining CWA and Rivers and Harbors Act jurisdictional determinations for industrial sites.
  • Assists a large oil and gas producer in obtaining Corps approval for channel closure at a refinery site.
  • Obtained CWA and other permits for pipeline projects in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas.
  • Advised an interstate natural gas pipeline company on ESA, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), CWA, and US Coast Guard requirements with respect to an offshore LNG facility and pipeline.
  • Advised an interstate natural gas pipeline company on the interplay between BOEM and Corps regulations on abandonment of offshore pipelines.
  • Advise major water utility on federal water supply authorities.
  • Counsel to one of the largest coal companies on a precedential legal challenge to EPA veto authority under section 404(c) of the CWA.
  • Counsel to a coalition challenging agency CWA guidance as violating the APA’s rulemaking requirements.
  • Obtained critical regulatory changes to streamline Corps section 404 permitting and NEPA compliance.
  • Expedited federal environmental permitting approvals for a 400-mile oil pipeline, successfully avoiding construction delays.
  • Represent land developers on jurisdictional determinations, use of general permits, expedited permitting procedures, and mitigation requirements under section 404 of the CWA.
  • Advised an interstate natural gas pipeline company in a potential enforcement action under the ESA; reached successful settlement with the FWS.
  • Lead counsel for a coalition of industry and agricultural interests in various CWA and ESA cases at the United States Supreme Court, including Rapanos v. United States.
  • Prepare comments on EPA and Corps rulemakings under the CWA and FWS and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the ESA.
  • Advise state and local governments and private entities on Corps real estate and water resources development project authorities.
  • Assist local redevelopment authorities with obtaining federal approvals for the environmental cleanup and transfer of military property, including compliance with NEPA.

Memberships

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Environmental Law Institute Leadership Council

Awards & Recognition

  • Named one of the Top 10 Influential Environment Lawyers in District of Columbia, Business Today, 2023
  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer (2022-2023) and as a Recommended Lawyer (2020-2021) for Environment: Regulatory, Legal 500 United States
  • Recommended for Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas, Legal 500 United States, 2019-2023
  • Recommended for Energy Regulation: Oil and Gas, Legal 500 United States, 2019-2023
  • Recognized as 2021 Environmental Group of the Year, Law360, January 2022
  • Recognized as 2021 and 2017 Chambers USA Environment Law Firm of the Year
  • Named a Litigation Star, District of Columbia, Benchmark Litigation, 2021-2024
  • Named an MVP in Environmental, Law360, 2021
  • Recognized as a Leader in Environment, District of Columbia, Chambers USA, 2014-2023
  • Selected as a member of the Lawdragon Top 500 Environmental and Energy Lawyers (2021) and Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law (2023, 2024)

  • Named an Impactful Veteran in Energy, Hart Energy, 2021
  • Named among 2020 Women Worth Watching, Profiles in Diversity Journal, 2020
  • Listed as a Future Star in Litigation, District of Columbia, Benchmark Litigation, 2016-2020
  • Recommended for Energy Regulation: Conventional Power, Legal 500 United States, 2020
  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer (2023) and as a Recommended Lawyer (2017-2022) for Environment: Litigation, Legal 500 United States
  • Recommended for Environment: Transactional, Legal 500 United States, 2019-2020
  • Selected as a Super Lawyer for Environmental Law, Washington DC Super Lawyers, 2014-2019
  • Recognized as an Energy and Environmental Trailblazer, National Law Journal, 2018 Client Choice Award, Environmental–DC, International Law Office and Lexology USA & Canada, 2014
  • Named among the Top Lawyers for Environmental Law, Washingtonian, 2009
  • Meritorious Service Medal, General Counsel of the Army, 2000
  • Army Commendation Medal, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army, 1999

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