Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law

Michael K. Foy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, Natural Resources Law and Water Law. Michael K., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Preeminent natural resources attorney. Obtains and defends development approvals for energy, mining and recreation industries. Executive level experience in the ski industry. Andrew Spielman is a widely respected energy, public lands and natural resources lawyer assisting with policy and regulatory issues involved in developing new facilities, as well as in the public land use and environmental permitting process. Committed to client success, Andy helps navigate the cyclical nature of the ene...

Mr. Griggs represents clients’ interests in legal actions concerning environmental matters brought by private parties and government agencies. He practices before administrative agencies, in state and federal trial courts, and in appellate tribunals. Mr. Griggs' litigation practice includes defense and prosecution of cases arising under federal and state environmental statutes, toxic tort cases, CERCLA and UST disputes, civil penalty proceedings, appellate practice, and FIFRA arbitration proc...

Gary Hunter is a partner at Holtzman Vogel, where he maintains a broad governmental law practice with emphasis on state government affairs, land use entitlements, property rights advocacy and environmental issues. In over three decades of practice in Florida, Gary has represented Florida’s largest landowners in complex land use strategic development, litigation, and large area planning. He has been equally privileged to represent everyday landowners in protecting property rights from re...

Stacey Wright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Stacey, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stacey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With a focus on land use, environmental law and litigation, Rick Leland represents real estate developers, universities, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and industrial companies on the environmental aspects of real estate transactions, development, and land use. Rick’s work has been central in gaining approvals for – or defending lawsuits against – multiple billion dollar developments. He works with clients nationwide on a range of matters, including environmental impac...

Area of Emphasis Sean McGovern is a shareholder and co-chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Group of Babst Calland. He is also a member of the Firm’s Environmental Group. Mr. McGovern’s practice involves counseling a wide variety of energy clients on a variety of federal, state, and local regulatory and compliance issues related to mining, renewable, and oil and natural gas development, production, transmission, storage, plugging and restoration in the Appalachian Basin. H...

John Allen practices environmental law with a focus on complex litigation. John has represented the State of Georgia as a Special Assistant Attorney General since 2005 in litigation and regulatory matters related to the disputes among Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concerning operation of federal reservoirs and state water rights, including equitable apportionment litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court. John has represented local governments in state court l...

Jessica Reiss has considerable interest and depth of knowledge in environmental law. Her level of understanding stems from multiple, diverse perspectives gained working in numerous positions in the environmental field, including with a state regulatory agency, in environmental consulting, in house with regulated entities, and performing public and private research. Her experience allows her to advise clients with a wide range of environmental issues. Jessica has handled issues regarding envir...

John is the managing partner of the firm’s Capital District Offices in Albany and Saratoga Springs. He advises clients on various legal and regulatory issues. For example, as part of the Energy Team, John successfully represented the owners of nuclear and coal-fired electric generating facilities before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) in connection with securing three reliability support services agreements (RSSA) with two upstate utilities. He also represents a natio...

Danielle Dancho is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Danielle, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Danielle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael K. Stagg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Michael K., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Friedman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. David, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David represents companies ranging from Fortune 500 businesses to regional companies and local governments on a broad range of federal and state environmental matters and related litigation, and on water rights appropriations and transfers.

John C. Spinrad is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. John C., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shane Swindle, a partner in the firm's Litigation practice, focuses on commercial litigation, particularly environmental, contract and insurance coverage disputes. Most of Mr. Swindle’s time is devoted to his active litigation practice, but he also regularly advises clients on environmental, contract, and insurance coverage issues for business planning purposes.