Eric B. Fjelstad

Eric B. Fjelstad

Anchorage, AK recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007
Perkins Coie LLP

240 Best Lawyers awards

Perkins Coie LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Environmental Law Litigation - Environmental Mining Law Oil and Gas Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Anchorage.

Biography

Eric Fjelstad, a partner in the Environment, Energy & Resources practice, is managing partner of the Alaska office and leads the firm’s Alaska EER practice. His practice is focused on natural resources project development, defense of governmental and citizen enforcement actions, and compliance counseling.



Eric’s project development is focused on due diligence and permitting of mining, oil and gas, energy, forestry, and heavy infrastructure projects. He regularly counsels Alaska’s leading oil and gas and mining companies on NEPA strategy and compliance, easements and rights-of-way, strategies for permitting and consultation under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, Section 404 and NPDES permitting, air permitting, and ACMP and CZMA review. When project decisions are challenged, Eric defends permits and approvals before state and federal administrative tribunals and the courts.



Eric’s defense practice is focused on the representation of mining, oil and gas, and industrial concerns against third-party and governmental claims and investigations under state and federal environmental laws and OSHA/MSHA. He has worked on many of the most significant DRR, natural resources damages, and contaminated sites proceedings in Alaska, and has negotiated settlements covering the shutdown and cleanup of some of Alaska’s largest industrial facilities.



Eric’s counseling practice is focused on NPDES and 401 certification proceedings, minor source and PSD permitting, oil spill contingency plan proceedings and federal DOT regulation of pipelines, RCRA, climate change, ANCSA issues, and compliance audits. He regularly provides counsel to Alaska’s largest mines, oil and gas operations, timber operations, and fish processing facilities concerning obligations under environmental and health and safety laws.
Perkins Coie LLP

240 Best Lawyers awards

Perkins Coie LLP logo

Overview

  • Lewis & Clark College, J.D., graduated 1994
  • Marquette University, BA

  • Alaska, Alaska Bar Association

  • Alaska Bar Association - Member
  • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Antidegradation Working Group - Member
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American College of Environmental Lawyers - Fellow
  • Oregon State Bar Association - Member
  • Resource Development Council for Alaska - Board of Directors and Executive Committee
  • Alaska, Alaska Bar Association
  • Alaska Bar Association - Member
  • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Antidegradation Working Group - Member
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American College of Environmental Lawyers - Fellow
  • Oregon State Bar Association - Member
  • Resource Development Council for Alaska - Board of Directors and Executive Committee
  • Lewis & Clark College, J.D., graduated 1994
  • Marquette University, BA

Client Testimonials

Eric Fjelstad has great relationships with Alaskan regulators and with Regional EPA, together with strong technical abilities and good judgment. He is responsive and communicates clearly and effectively.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Environmental Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Litigation - Environmental Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Environmental Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Environmental Law, Anchorage (2026)
  • Litigation - Environmental, Anchorage (2025)
  • Environmental Law, Anchorage (2022)
  • Environmental Law, Anchorage (2020)
  • Litigation - Environmental, Anchorage (2017)
  • Environmental Law, Anchorage (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Environmental Law
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Mining Law
  • Oil and Gas Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Animal Law
  • Energy Law
  • Native American Law
  • Natural Resources Law
Special Focus:
  • Administrative/Regulatory
  • Clean Air Act
  • Clean Water Act
  • Coastal Zone Management
  • Counseling
  • Endangered Species
  • Litigation
  • Mining
  • Permitting
  • RCRA/Hazardous Waste
  • Superfunds/Environmental Remediation
Awards:
  • Listed in Super Lawyers, as "Alaska Super Lawyer", Environment, Energy & Natural Resource Law, 2007 - 2013
  • Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
  • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation NPDES Primacy Working Group, appointed as member, 2004 - 2008
  • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation transition team, appointed as member by Murkowski Administration, 2002 - 2003
  • Ranked by Chambers USA, as “America’s Leading Environment & Natural Resources Lawyers," 2003 - 2014
  • Listed in "The International Who's Who of Environmental Lawyers," 2010

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