Penny represents clients on a broad range of environmental and administrative law issues arising under federal and state law, with emphasis on permitting and compliance with the Clean Air Act, water quality and stormwater regulatory development under the Clean Water Act, and reporting under CERCLA and EPCRA. Her clients include electric utilities, oil and natural gas pipeline companies, manufacturing companies and trade associations.

Penny has extensive experience with air permitting including federal and state appeals, drafting comments on administrative rulemakings, advising clients on compliance issues, and negotiating settlements with administrative agencies.

Penny has undertaken significant pro bono work assisting juvenile immigrants in obtaining immigration status.

Before becoming a lawyer, Penny worked as a chemical engineer and health physicist. She has over ten years of nuclear experience at a Department of Energy nuclear weapons facility and commercial nuclear power plant. She was responsible for various aspects of nuclear waste management and radiation protection of workers and the environment.

Relevant Experience

  • Counseled industrial clients in CAA permitting and compliance for coal and gas fired power plants, refineries, chemical processing, and metals processing.
  • Counseled clients on EPCRA TRI and EPCRA/CERCLA spill reporting requirements.
  • Represented industrial clients in CAA and CWA permit appeals.
  • Advised clients on transactional due diligence involving all aspects of environmental liability and compliance.
  • Counseled national industry groups on rulemaking and policies under the CAA and CWA.
  • Represented industry groups in CWA rulemaking appeals.
  • Assisted clients in developing policy for on-site septic system industry in Virginia.

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized as 2021 Environmental Group of the Year, Law360, January 2022
  • 2021 and 2017 Chambers USA Environment Law Firm of the Year

Insights