Van Ness Feldman Law Firm Overview

Phone: 202-298-1800

Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized law firm providing legal counsel, thought leadership, and policy strategy to clients navigating the complex intersection between business and government. With over 100 professionals in Washington D.C. and Seattle, Van Ness Feldman is renowned for its work in energy, environment, land use, real estate, government relations, and native affairs matters.

As experienced strategists and client advocates, Van Ness Feldman takes the time to truly understand clients’ needs and collaborates to find innovative, yet practical solutions to complex issues. The firm’s deep experience in a broad range of complementary disciplines, knowledge of our clients’ businesses and industries, and relationships with federal, state, and local agencies and governments allows the firm to help clients achieve their goals.

Van Ness Feldman has been serving clients for over four decades. Founded in Washington, D.C. in 1977 by four former Congressional and Executive branch legal counsel, Van Ness Feldman has grown to include over 100 lawyers and policy professionals in our three offices. Our bipartisan professionals have been involved in every major energy and environmental policy legislative or regulatory initiative, from the creation of the Department of Energy in 1977, to the policy debates affecting our nation today.

Contributing authors from Van Ness Feldman LLP:

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Richard A. Agnew Partner Rick Agnew represents a variety of clients before Congress and federal agencies, particularly on matters relating to federal laws and permits governing energy projects, environmental... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Sophia E. Amberson Associate Sophia provides counsel to both public and private sector clients on various environmental, tribal, and natural resource matters under the SEPA/NEPA, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Janet M. Anderson Senior Technology and Policy Adviser Janet Anderson provides clients with strategic counsel on numerous issues related to the intersection of business initiatives and energy and environmental policies. In particular, she... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Shannon Angielski Principal Shannon Angielski’s practice focuses on developing and advocating for clean energy and carbon management policies on behalf of her clients, with a particular focus on carbon capture and... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Nakia L. Arrington Associate Nakia Arrington focuses her practice on litigation and investigations, including economic development work, federal regulatory issues, environmental compliance, and American Indian Law, as... [email protected] www.vnf.com/

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Gary D. Bachman Partner Gary Bachman represents a wide array of participants in the electric industry. He is actively engaged in regulatory matters concerning corporate structure, contracts, tariffs, compliance,... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Steve Baruch Senior Energy Analyst Steve Baruch provides members of the firm's Energy Practice with analysis of energy regulatory issues before the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC... [email protected] www.vnf.com/
James P. Bayot Director, Governmental Issues As Director of Governmental Issues, James Bayot is responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and analyzing federal policy initiatives in Congress and the Executive Branch that affect the firm... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Steven G. Boughton Associate Steve Boughton assists clients with federal energy and environmental regulatory matters including resolving novel problems arising under the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Regulatory... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Marco Bracamonte Paralegal With over 15 years of experience, Marco Bracamonte supports the firm’s attorneys and clients with natural gas regulatory and transactional matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Xena Burwell Law Clerk Xena Burwell focuses her practice on Native American, environmental and energy law issues. She has experience with a variety of statutes including the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Brent Carson Partner Brent provides strategic advice and critical support to clients with complex land development and real property issues. He has in-depth knowledge of the local, state, and federal land use... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Michelle L. Castaline Associate Michelle assists clients in a variety of federal regulatory matters related to the electric utility, oil, and natural gas industries, including enforcement, litigation, and compliance... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Maranda S. Compton Partner Maranda Compton focuses her practice on all aspects of Native American law and policy. She is experienced in representing both tribal and non-tribal clients in a wide range of federal... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Robert A. Conrad Associate Robert Conrad is a graduate of American University Washington College of Law. His areas of interest include natural resources, historic preservation, land use, energy and environmental... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Andrew C. Cooper Partner Andrew Cooper has over twenty-five years of experience with environmental law. While he has a great deal of experience on the litigation side, he has developed considerable expertise on... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Jacob I. Cunningham Associate Jake assists clients in a variety of federal regulatory matters related to oil, natural gas, electricity, and pipelines. Jake has experience in oil transactions, natural gas pipeline rate... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Kyle W. Danish Partner Kyle Danish advises a range of clients on environmental and energy matters, with a special focus on regulation, permitting, enforcement, and legislation under the Clean Air Act, corporate... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Patrick Daugherty Partner Patrick Daugherty is an experienced litigator who has helped clients navigate both simple and complex litigation cases involving a variety of industries across the country. He focuses on... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Jay P. Derr Partner Having practiced real estate, land use, and environmental law in the Pacific Northwest for over thirty years, Jay Derr enjoys and excels in applying his experience to help clients identify... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Michael Diamond Partner Michael Diamond counsels clients in the natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries on federal regulatory matters, particularly under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and the National... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Tiffanie Ellis Associate Tiffanie Ellis (she/her) is an associate in our land use practice where she represents both public and private-sector clients in a variety of land use, natural resources, and litigation... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Environmental Litigation Practice Group at Van Ness Feldman Van Ness Feldman has extensive experience litigating complex cases encompassing a number of distinct disciplines including environment and natural resource. The firm’s trial and appellate... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Ani M. Esenyan Law Clerk Ani assists clients in a variety of energy and environmental law matters. Her experience includes the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, CERCLA and related insurance issues, regulatory... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Michael D. Farber Partner Mike Farber has twenty years of experience, both as a partner in private practice and as a government official, in rapidly assessing, investigating, and resolving compliance issues across a... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Shelley N. Fidler Principal, Governmental Affairs, Energy and Environmental Policy Shelley Fidler supports clients at the law firm of Van Ness Feldman in Washington, D.C. operating at the intersection of business and government in areas as diverse as foreign trade,... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Britt Speyer Fleming Partner Britt Speyer Fleming represents automobile manufacturers, electric utilities, engine and equipment manufacturers, trade associations, and coalitions before Congress and federal agencies.... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Stephen C. Fotis Partner Stephen Fotis heads the firm’s Environmental Practice Group and specializes in federal and state environmental regulation. His work focuses on matters relating to the Clean Air Act, global... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Tiffany Ganthier Director, Governmental Issues Tiffany Ganthier is an experienced public policy professional providing strategic advice and representation on local, state & federal legislative and regulatory issues. Her portfolio... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Michael D. Goodstein Partner With over 30 years of experience, Michael Goodstein’s practice includes environmental legal issues arising under federal, state, local, and tribal environmental laws, including regulatory... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Government Relations and Policy at Van Ness Feldman For four decades, Van Ness Feldman professionals have been involved in every major debate on energy policy and environmental policy. The founders’ vision was to provide a unique approach... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Duncan M. Greene Partner Duncan assists private and public clients with a wide range of land development and real property issues. He provides strategic advice and support to clients in planning and permitting... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Stuart C. Hall

Senior Director

Stuart Hall is part of Van Ness Feldman's policy team and focuses on energy and transportation and infrastructure issues. In addition, she also supports the Coal Utilization Research...

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Laura E. Jones

Associate

Laura focuses her practice on American Indian law, including economic development work, federal regulatory issues, environmental compliance, and federal-tribal consultation, as well as a...

[email protected]

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Tyson C. Kade Partner Tyson Kade represents clients before federal agencies and state and federal courts on a broad range of matters involving natural resources, pipeline safety, and energy law. Tyson provides... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Clayton S. Kaier Legislative Assistant Clayton Kaier helps clients understand and navigate the international trade policy landscape through first-hand knowledge of U.S. trade policy development. Clayton assists clients by... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Bryn S. Karaus Of Counsel As a member of the firm's pipeline safety practice, Bryn focuses on the regulation of pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and the transportation of hazardous materials, and... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Suzanne Keppeler Partner Suzanne Keppeler focuses her practice on the representation of electric and natural gas utilities and oil pipeline companies on a wide range of regulatory matters before the Federal Energy... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Paul Korman Partner Paul Korman is experienced in complex litigation before federal and state courts and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). He advises interstate pipelines, intrastate pipelines,... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Charlene Koski Of Counsel Charlene is a seasoned litigator with an extensive appellate practice representing public and private clients in federal, state, and administrative proceedings. She has experience with a... [email protected] www.vnf.com/

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Molly A. Lawrence Partner Molly counsels public and private clients in all facets of land use law. Her practice includes helping clients navigate divergent federal, state and local statutes and regulations,... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Ray Liaw Partner Ray provides strategic counsel on land use and environmental issues. In working with both private and public sector clients, Ray develops strategies based on project goals, negotiates with... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Paul Libus Associate Paul Libus represents vehicle and engine manufacturers on a variety of environmental issues before federal and state agencies, with particular emphasis on the Clean Air Act (CAA). With... [email protected]	Rachael L. Lipinski Associate Rachael practices in the areas of natural resources, environmental, and maritime law. She has experience providing counsel on complex regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters under a... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Nancy Macan McNally Principal Nancy Macan McNally is a leading member of the firm’s government relations team. Her practice focuses on developing and managing government policy programs for Fortune 500 companies,... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Jenna R. Mandell-Rice Partner Jenna’s practice focuses on land use and environmental law. She regularly counsels clients on the siting and permitting of development projects and has experience counseling clients on... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Allison E. McAdam Partner For more than a decade, Allison McAdam has been representing clients on environmental contamination and insurance coverage matters. Specifically, Allison focuses on environmental and... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Michael F. McBride Partner Mike McBride focuses his practice on litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiations involving transportation, energy, and environmental issues, as well as nuclear regulatory matters... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Malcolm C. McLellan Partner Malcolm’s practice focuses on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy and regulated businesses. Malcolm has an intricate knowledge of the technical, legal, and... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Melinda M. Meade Meyers Of Counsel Melinda Meade Meyers’ practice focuses on federal regulatory law as it pertains to natural resources. She represents Alaska Native corporations, concessioners, public lands user groups,... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Phil Mone Partner Phil Mone represents clients in the natural gas, LNG, and electric utility industries in regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with a focus on all... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Tracy A. Nagelbush Principal Tracy is a forceful advocate for clients in need of effective communications with the federal government on public policy matters in the climate change, clean technology, transportation,... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Native Affairs Practice Group at Van Ness Feldman Van Ness Feldman LLP has served Alaska Native and American Indian communities and the businesses they own and operate since the day the firm opened its doors in 1977. Among the firm’s very... [email protected] www.vnf.com/
Joseph B. Nelson Partner Joe has over twenty years of experience providing counsel to clients involved with linear and site-specific energy, natural resource, and water resource projects as they navigate the myriad... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Brian D. O'Neill

Brian O'Neill, Van Ness Feldman Law Firm, Washington DC, Energy Law Attorney

Partner

Brian O'Neill has practiced in the energy area for more than 35 years. He primarily represents natural gas, oil, and LNG companies, pipelines, and electric utilities on regulatory matters...

[email protected]

www.vnf.com

Susan A. Olenchuk

Partner

Susan Olenchuk represents clients on regulatory, safety, enforcement, and policy issues under the Pipeline Safety Laws, as well as under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and the Natural Gas...

[email protected]

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Marlys Palumbo Partner Marlys’ practice focuses on matters arising under major federal and state environmental, energy, and natural resources statutes. Drawing on a comprehensive understanding of science and... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Justin R. Panitchpakdi Associate Justin Panitchpakdi helps clients navigate difficult environmental and insurance coverage matters and has represented them in federal and state courts, in mediation, and administrative... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Michael R. Pincus Partner Michael Pincus advises clients on all aspects of the siting and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals before the Federal Energy Regulatory... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Michael L. Platner Senior Tax Counsel Michael provides strategic counsel on legal, legislative and regulatory issues, including tax, energy, and international trade. Michael has extensive experience developing and implementing... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Daniel S. Press Partner For over 40 years, Dan Press has provided legal and Washington representation assistance to Indian tribes, Indian organizations, and companies doing business with tribes. Dan assists tribes... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Terese (T.C.) Richmond Partner Terese (T.C.) Richmond has over 30 years' experience representing state and local governmental agencies in Washington and Arizona. Her practice focuses on environmental law, land use, water... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Tom Roberts Partner Tom Roberts helps clients manage the potential impact of federal and state energy, environmental, and natural resource policies and actions on their commercial and industrial interests. He... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Robin M. Rotman Counsel Robin Rotman works primarily in the area of energy infrastructure project development. She represents developers, investors, owners, and operators of electric generation and transmission... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Susan A. Shyne Partner Susan Shyne has nearly 30 years’ experience representing public and private clients in a wide variety of real estate transactions. Her practice includes counseling owners, buyers, and... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Jonathan D. Simon Partner Jonathan Simon represents clients before the courts, Congress, and federal agencies on a broad range of matters involving natural resources, public lands, environmental, and energy law. ... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Darshana Singh Associate Darsh Singh assists clients and firm professionals in the energy regulatory arena. Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, Darsh served as a law clerk in the Office of Administrative Litigation... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Arthur "A.J." Singletary Associate A.J. Singletary specializes in all aspects of environmental and energy law, including assisting clients with matters related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water... [email protected] www.vnf.com/
Douglas W. Smith Partner Doug Smith represents clients on regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE). He also provides counsel on climate change,... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Jordan A. Smith Principal, Governmental Issues Jordan Smith has over 20 years of experience providing public policy advice and representation on federal legislative and regulatory issues, with special emphasis on energy, environmental,... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Van F. Smith Of Counsel Van Smith advises clients including electric utilities, consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and trade associations on a broad range of federal energy and environmental... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Savian Gray-Sommerville Associate Savian Gray-Sommerville is an associate in the firm’s Litigation & Government Investigations practice. He represents clients in environmental, civil, and commercial litigation matters... [email protected]
Dana J. Stotsky Senior Counsel Dana Stotsky focuses on environmental compliance and regulatory matters. Dana assists clients in understanding environmental regulatory obligations, identifying the best way to maintain or... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Michael A. Swiger Partner Mike Swiger represents a broad cross-section of entities with interests in energy and water development before federal agencies and the presidential administration, the U.S. Congress, and... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Mona Tandon Partner Mona focuses her practice on oil and product pipelines, natural gas, and electric utility regulation. This encompasses all aspects of project development and acquisitions, project siting... [email protected]f.com www.vnf.com	Mealear Tauch Energy Analyst Mealear Tauch provides support for the firm's hydropower practice by assisting with the preparation of license and permit applications and motions and pleadings before the FERC and federal... [email protected] www.vnf.com
Sean A. Taylor Senior Director, Governmental Issues Sean Taylor has over a decade of experience representing municipalities and local governments on water infrastructure, federal regulations, public lands issues, and a variety of... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Tracy Nagelbush Tolk Principal, Governmental Issues Tracy is a forceful advocate for clients in need of effective communications with the federal government on public policy matters in the climate change, clean technology, transportation,... [email protected] www.vnf.com

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Andrew M. VanderJack

Andrew VanderJack Land Use Attorney Van Ness Feldman Law Firm

Partner

Andrew VanderJack's practice focuses on public lands and natural resource law and policy. Andrew provides counsel to clients on legislative and administrative matters involving Congress,...

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Michael Weiner

Director, Governmental Issues

Michael Weiner helps clients understand and shape the public policy landscape that affects their industries and policy goals. Michael assists clients in navigating federal policy...

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David P. Yaffe

Senior Counsel

David's practice focuses on the issues involved with use of, interconnection with and development of the interstate transmission grid as well as wholesale electric power transactions. He...

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Brian L. Zagon Partner With almost three decades of experience, Brian Zagon assists clients in the environmental counseling, environmental litigation and insurance coverage arenas. Since 2008, he has represented... [email protected] www.vnf.com	Chris D. Zentz Of Counsel Chris has a wide-ranging electric practice that includes regular involvement in both regulatory proceedings and transactions. Chris provides counsel on transactions, due diligence, and... [email protected] www.vnf.com/
James W. Ziglar Senior Counsel Jim Ziglar has over 50 years of experience in law, finance, management, and public policy. Drawing on his background in management, banking, and government, he provides strategic business... [email protected] www.vnf.com

Environmental Law

Trump-Era Environmental Regulations

The National Law Review names Van Ness Feldman a 2022 Go-To Thought Leader in the field of environmental law for their coverage of this year’s changes to NEPA regulations. On April 20, 2022, the Council on Environmental Quality published a final rule reversing strategic changes made under the Trump administration; authors Rachael L. Lipinski, Jenna R. Mandell-Rice, Molly A. Lawrence, and Jonathan D. Simon detailed at-length the changes that companies should expect once the regulations went into effect, as well as the overall impact the new policy would have going forward.

Energy Law

Hydropower Legal News

The National Law Review selected Xena Burwell, Melinda M. Meade Meyers, Tyson C. Kade, and Michael A. Swiger of Van Ness Feldman as a Go-To Thought Leaders for 2021 for their timely and informative Hydro Newsletters which provide must-read updates for stakeholders in the industry. The Energy Law experts at Van Ness Feldman highlight key cases impacting hydroelectric power, as well as FERC regulations, and NLR's readers appreciate the firm’s efforts to break down the latest issues impacting the hydropower industry.

2018 NLR Thought Leadership Award Winner

Environmental

Clean Water Act

Van Ness Feldman LLP has been selected for the 2018 NLR Go-To Thought Leadership Award for their coverage of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Van Ness Feldman LLP consistently writes in-depth legal analysis on the complex compliance issues and changes surrounding the CWA. Van Ness' Government Relations Agency group's deep experience with regulatory agencies, policy developments, and compliance is why their analysis is a Go-To for NLR Readers and a mainstay of our energy and environmental coverage.