Environment, Lands and Resources

Litigation & Enforcement Defense

As Chambers USA (2021) observes, “[Bracewell] is very involved in climate change rulemaking litigation and other sophisticated proceedings.” We represent companies in complex litigation, enforcement proceedings and incident investigations, including parallel civil and criminal actions.

As companies face growing pressure to comply with federal and state mandates, our team helps these companies develop, implement and continuously improve strategies for cost-effective compliance.

Natural Resource Protection

Legislators, investors and the public have turned an intense spotlight on corporate strategies related to natural resources. Leading companies in energy, waste management, chemicals, technology and manufacturing have made sustainability initiatives and disclosures a priority.

Bracewell is “a top-tier firm, known for its environmental and energy expertise,” according to Chambers USA (2020). We have advised Equinor Wind on environmental and leasing issues related to its flagship offshore wind projects in the United States, as well as The Electric Reliability Coordinating Council on regulatory and legislative matters under various environmental statutes.

We help our energy and environmental clients align their strategies with government priorities and regulations with an array of integrated services, including policy development, regulatory counseling, corporate governance and internal audits, and disclosure issues around natural resources.

Permitting & Regulation

We represent applicants in the entire range of the environmental permitting process, from the initial project planning stages (scoping regulatory and permitting requirements across all media and disciplines) to pre-application counseling and application development.

As projects proceed, we help clients negotiate reasonable settlements with permitting agencies during the administrative review process. We proactively focus on strengthening permit applications and bolstering the administrative record to help safeguard project permits against potential challenges, including contested case proceedings, administrative and judicial appeals, and pushback from organizations and communities that seek to slow or derail the permit process.

Bracewell is a recognized leader in this space. As one client tells Chambers USA (2021), “We couldn’t ask for better representation; they are always helpful, timely and accurate.”

Pipeline Safety & Regulation

As Legal 500 US (2020) notes, quoting one of our clients, our “team is deeply knowledgeable in the oil and gas refining industry and provides stellar legal advice tailored to our needs.”

We represent companies on environmental and safety issues across a range of disciplines, including regulatory counseling; project siting and permitting; rulemaking, such as pre-proposal advocacy, comment development and appellate challenges; administrative, civil and criminal enforcement; auditing; internal investigations; accident response and crisis management; and transactional due diligence.

Transaction Diligence & Support

Environmental risk and liability represent major concerns for our clients when assets or companies are bought or sold, or when our clients seek or offer financing. We apply a thorough understanding of the business — be it energy, chemicals, refining, heavy manufacturing, or technology — to provide practical, up-to-date insight and counsel. We approach transactions with a thorough technical knowledge of the subject at hand, finding creative approaches to controlling risk.