Timothy Wilkins > Bracewell LLP > Austin, United States > Lawyer Profile

Bracewell LLP
111 CONGRESS AVENUE, STE 2300
AUSTIN, TX 78701-4061
TEXAS
United States
Timothy Wilkins photo

Work Department

Energy

Position

Tim’s clients rely on him for the defense of environmental enforcement actions and assistance with the environmental aspects of major transactions and project development matters, including siting and permitting. Tim has also overseen environmental compliance audits involving thousands of locations, handled hundreds of environmental audit disclosures and pioneered the development and use of US EPA’s audit policy for new owners. Although he undertakes matters in all environmental media, Tim has special depth in issues involving hazardous waste.

His clients report in Chambers USA that “he’s the premier lawyer in Texas,” “the best on all environmental matters,” and “the rare outside counsel who combines subject-matter expertise with outstanding commercial judgment” (2023). They have said that “one of Tim’s chief strengths is his ability to explain the law in a way that anyone can understand” (2019). They have also described him as “a very astute lawyer, liked for his quickness and thorough responses” (2007); as having “a good blend of scientific knowledge and legal acumen that helps navigate challenging regulatory issues” (2021); as having “great business acumen and amazing negotiation skills” (2009); and as capable of delivering “practical, cost-effective solutions for his clients” (2011). Tim was also recognized by Law360 as a 2023 Environmental MVP.

In addition to his duties at Bracewell, Tim periodically teaches the course in Corporate Environmental Law at The University of Texas School of Law. Before joining Bracewell, Tim was research assistant to Professor Laurence H. Tribe of Harvard Law School, editor-in-chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review, and a judicial clerk for the Honorable Henry A. Politz, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Memberships

American Bar Association. Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
State Bar of Texas, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section
Austin Bar Association, Environmental Law Section

Education

Harvard Law School,  J.D.
1993 cum laude
Harvard University,  Master of Public Policy
1993
Trinity University,  Bachelor of Arts
1988 magna cum laude

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Environment > Environment: regulatory

(Leading lawyers)

Timothy Wilkins – Bracewell LLP

Bracewell LLP has a strong presence in Texas and Washington DC and acts for high-profile oil and gas, and pipeline companies on infrastructure development, climate change regulation, liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, enforcement issues and carbon sequestration. Its client roster also includes businesses in the renewables, chemicals, manufacturing and technology sectors, and the team includes government and regulatory agency alumni. The practice is led by Jason Hutt and Jeffrey Holmstead, with Hutt handling administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions, and Holmstead a key name for climate change and CAA matters. Brittany Pemberton has notable experience of compliance and enforcement matters, and in assisting associations participating in the federal rulemaking process. Austin’s Timothy Wilkins is recommended for permitting, energy transition matters and ESG issues, and also advises clients on disputes and transactional matters. Catherine Little and Annie Cook joined from Troutman Pepper in June 2022 and in August of the same year, Steven Cook joined as of counsel from the EPA in Houston. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

United States > Environment > Environment: transactional

Bracewell LLP handles a broad range of environmental matters relating to regulatory issues, contentious matters and transactions and offers ancillary advice in media relations and lobbying. It is particularly strong in the oil and gas, renewables, chemicals and infrastructure sectors and offers expertise in relation to projects, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and investments. The team is led by Jason Hutt and Austin’s Timothy Wilkins, with Hutt handling administrative, civil and criminal enforcement matters, and Wilkins a key name for disputes, energy transition, climate change and ESG matters. Catherine Little and Annie Cook joined from Troutman Pepper in June 2022, while of counsel Steven Cook joined from the environmental protection agency (EPA) in Houston in August of the same year. Named attorneys based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.