Van Ness Feldman LLP > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Van Ness Feldman LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Native American law Tier 1

Van Ness Feldman LLP’s team has demonstrable strength in regulatory, litigation and energy project development matters, particularly across midstream oil and gas for predominantly Alaska Natives as well as Indian tribes. While Andrew VanderJack  leads the team out of Washington DC with a focus on Alaska Natives and related corporations, counsel Laura Jones, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, manages the team out of Oklahoma focusing her practice on American Indian law with expertise in regulatory and environmental compliance matters, land use issues and economic development. On the West Coast, California-based Patrick Daugherty is the expert for complex civil litigation, consumer class action suits, and alternative dispute resolution in tribal, state, and federal courts for native tribes and is singled out for tribal economic development. The group counts Indigenous-owned businesses, tribal governments and financial partners such as the Native American Financial Services Association among its clients. DC-based counsel Melinda Meade Meyers focuses on federal regulatory law and policy advice pertaining to Native communities.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

Van Ness Feldman LLP is a firm based in Washington, DC and has a focus on electric and hydropower regulatory work and are known for their policy and litigation expertise before FERC, DOE, Department of the Interior, the courts and Congress. The team has represented clients in all aspects of the US wholesale electric energy sector, providing strategic advice and advocacy in helping to increase the level of clean energy resources and fast track carbon reduction goals. Lawrence Acker  serves as lead appellate litigator on behalf of the New York Authority (NYPA) on several appellate proceedings before the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Gary Bachman is regularly involved in regulatory matters surrounding transmission development and offshore wind procurement in New York. Over in Seattle, Jenna Mandell-Rice is noteworthy for her emerging practice representing pumped storage, wind and solar projects on federal permitting and authorization matters.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 2

Van Ness Feldman LLP acts for major clients across the natural gas, LNG, oil and refined products sectors on all stages of the infrastructure development process, including structuring, construction and ongoing regulatory compliance. Additionally, the practice advises on rate, tariff and enforcement proceedings at the FERC, in addition to permitting proceedings before the DOE, and is noted for its expertise in handling pipeline safety enforcement, tribal consultations and climate change matters. Phil Mone and Mona Tandon lead the team alongside Michael Pincus, advises on all aspects of the siting and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals before the FERC, with demonstrable experience in presidential permits and rate and tariff issues. Paul Korman handles high-end litigation before the FERC on behalf of natural gas producers, marketers and pipelines, while Susan Olenchuk is an expert in pipeline safety compliance. All named partners are based in Washington DC.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

The environment and land, water and natural resources team at Van Ness Feldman LLP has a strong Washington DC presence and a core focus on environmental work. The firm is active in the automotive, utilities, oil and gas, transport and marine sectors and is particularly strong in air pollution, climate change, regulatory investigations and enforcement, clean water, hazardous waste and environmental justice matters. The team is led by Stephen Fotis, Britt Fleming, Jonathan Simon and Seattle’s Jenna Mandell-Rice. Fleming represents businesses before Congress, and federal and state agencies, and is a key name for regulatory, policy and development issues, with a strong track record in CAA cases. Kyle Danish is recommended for energy projects and regulation, while associate A.J. Singletary, a Department of Transportation alumnus, is a name for climate change issues. Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming left in June 2022. Attorneys based in DC unless otherwise stated.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

Van Ness Feldman LLP maintains strong ties with both sides of the aisle, and is noted for its strong energy, natural resources, environment, infrastructure and climate change lobbying practice. Often involved in major legislative developments, the group also demonstrates particular strength in the healthcare sector, and acts for a varied client list of public sector clients, industrial companies, investment funds and trade associations. Well-known for her advocacy work on clean energy policies, Washington DC-based Shannon Angielski co-heads the team with Nancy Macan McNally, who draws on extensive government relations experience. Splitting his time between Seattle and Washington DC, Richard Agnew is another key contact.