James R. "Jim" Spaanstra

Clients turn to Jim for sound environmental counsel on complex permitting regimes and guidance to navigate the energy transition.

Jim counsels energy and natural resource clients on permitting, compliance, and environmental enforcement matters. Clients benefit from Jim’s extensive experience permitting complex projects in the Mountain West involving complicated environmental issues. He leverages this experience to help companies build defensible permitting records and remain in compliance with ever-changing environmental regulatory regimes.

Jim provides sophisticated guidance to clients with solid and hazardous waste operations on a variety of matters including project siting, permitting, operation, and remediation of commercial waste management facilities. He advises industrial and commercial clients on the sale and acquisition of environmentally challenged properties to protect their investments, and minimize and mitigate liabilities. Jim has helped multiple jurisdictions establish voluntary brownfields and clean-up initiatives throughout the country.