Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law

Chris Berka is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with a practice focusing on environmental, real estate, energy, natural resources, product liability and contract matters. He has resolved more than two hundred cases for clients in a range of industries and sectors, including technology, aerospace, oil and natural gas, wind energy, real estate development, pharmaceuticals, higher education, transportation, news media, mining and consumer products. In addition to his litigation practice, Chr...

Brenda L. Clayton is a partner at Kelly Hart whose practice sits at the intersection of environmental, energy, and appellate law. Based in Austin, she guides clients through complex state and federal regulatory frameworks governing waste, water, and natural resources. Brenda’s environmental practice spans high-stakes litigation—including CERCLA actions and federal citizen suits—as well as compliance counseling under major statutory frameworks like RCRA and the Clean Water Ac...

Charles F. Newman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, First Amendment Law, Litigation - Environmental and Litigation - First Amendment. Charles F. practices law in Memphis, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Charles F. Newman since 1991. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recogn...

Geoff Williamson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Environmental Law. Geoff practices law in Boulder, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Geoff Williamson since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Geoff Williamson is held by other lawyers.

Kevin Desharnais, an environmental litigator and counselor with over two decades of experience, advises clients on environmental matters covering all environmental media, including such areas as air and water permitting and enforcement, hazardous waste management, Superfund liability, and remediation of contaminated sites. He has represented clients in numerous federal and state court proceedings and administrative tribunals, defended clients against citizen enforcement suits, and negotiated ...

Steven C. Russo is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Steven C. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Steven C. Russo since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Steven C. Russo is held by other lawyers.

Jay is an environmental attorney with specialized expertise in the legal aspects of addressing environmental contamination and liabilities and related business issues. With a concentration in environmental transactional and administrative law, he represents developers, property and business owners, landlords and tenants, manufacturers and other clients on a broad range of environmental legal issues. This includes issues associated with environmental contamination and pollution related to the ...

Area of Emphasis Robert Stonestreet focuses his practice on energy and environmental law as well as commercial litigation. He has a wide array of regulatory and courtroom experience, including representation of clients in matters involving lease and land disputes, environmental permitting, enforcement actions, serious personal injury/wrongful death, land contamination, toxic torts, and complex commercial disputes. During his more than 20 years in practice, Mr. Stonestreet has tried multiple c...

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.

C. Grady Moore III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Environmental Law. C. Grady practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized C. Grady Moore III since 2012. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which C. Grady Moore III is held by other lawyers.

David has over twenty-five years of land use and environmental law experience. His practice focuses on CEQA, climate change, development agreements, discretionary permits and entitlements, infrastructure agreements, public-private partnerships, subdivisions, zoning, environmental regulatory compliance, CERCLA, RCRA, and Proposition 65. David regularly appears before planning commissions, city councils, and other federal, state, and local government agencies on land use and regulatory matters....

Rick Horder has engaged in the practice of environmental law and litigation for nearly forty years. As an Assistant United States Attorney from 1974 to 1977, he represented the U.S. EPA in numerous water and NEPA cases. From 1978 to 1989, he was Regional Counsel, and later Associate General Counsel, for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he was responsible for all environmental and toxic tort compliance and litigation company-wide. In 1989, he joined Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, a large Atlanta l...

Steve Kostka, senior counsel with the firm's Environment, Energy & Resources practice, has represented clients in a broad range of cases involving the California Environmental Quality Act, the Planning and Zoning Law, and other state and federal environmental and land use statutes. He also has extensive experience counseling public agencies and private clients on land use, CEQA and NEPA compliance issues. Steve is a co-author of Practice Under the California Environmental Quality Act. Thi...

Diana Silva is a partner with Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP, where she concentrates her practice in environmental litigation, including statutory contribution and cost recovery actions, toxic tort claims, contractual disputes, and administrative enforcement actions. She also counsels clients on environmental regulatory compliance matters, as well as permitting related to land development issues.

John M. Van Lieshout is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. John M. practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized John M. Van Lieshout since 2003. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John M. Van Lieshout is held by other lawyers.

Peter A. Alpert is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law and Real Estate Law. Peter A. practices law in Boston, Massachusetts Best Lawyers has recognized Peter A. Alpert since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Peter A. Alpert is held by other lawyers.