Janice M. Schneider > Latham & Watkins LLP > San Francisco, United States > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP  environmental team advises the full spectrum of clients, spanning from transport to media, across climate change, air quality, water quality, energy & natural resources projects. The team is chaired by Washington DC’s Janice Schneider, who has proven experience at the intersection of energy and environment, handling onshore and offshore development, as well as the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act. Schneider and Stacey VanBelleghem are praised by their clients for their ability to ‘bring real, practical experience to a complicated practice’ and VanBellegham, based in the DC office, fields a strong track record in climate change and air quality matters, with a recent highlight of advising the National Coalition for Advanced Transportation on emission standards under the Clean Air Act. Julia A. Hatcher is active in the firm’s DC office, advising on environmental, health, safety, and product defense mandates, while Devin O’Connor handles federal land use matters involving the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act. Gary Gengel is well-positioned to advise automotive, chemical, and food manufacturing clients with on-site investigation, remediation, and general regulatory matters from the New York office. James R. Barrett retired from the partnership in December 2024 and Kegan Brown  left the team in Jan 2024.

Latham & Watkins LLP is trusted by a stellar client roster of several major financial institutions, private equity firms, and large corporations on the full spectrum of transactional advice. Under the leadership of Janice Schneider, the firm has been responsible for overseeing some of the sector’s major transactions, including Vistra’s acquisition of Energy Harbor Corporation, as well as Marubeni American Corporation’s joint venture with Ozona CCS LLC – among others. In the New York office, Jean-Philippe Brisson leverages previous industry experience to advise on M&A and joint ventures, often focusing on transactions related to carbon capture and carbon neutrality. Elsewhere in the New York office, Betty Huber heads the firm’s ESG practice and is a key point of contact for companies and funds on mergers, acquisitions, and capital market offerings, while counsel David Langer, offers transactional and regulatory experience, positioning him to advice on the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act within transactions. Josh Marnitz, based in the Los Angeles and Houston office, is a key name for the energy and infrastructure sectors, and LA’s Aran Potash is recommended for the evaluation of environmental liabilities. Former co-chair James R. Barrett retired from the practice in December 2024.

Latham & Watkins LLP represents high-profile companies including Paramount Pictures, NBCUniversal, and Invenergy, as well as landowners, developers, and sponsors in large project financing and completion. The firm’s environment, land, and resources practice, led by Washington DC’s Janice Schneider and James R. Barrett, predominantly operates in Los Angeles. Lucinda Starrett has led many projects aimed at obtaining land entitlements; James Arnone has extensive advisory and litigious land use expertise; and Maria Hoye focuses on entitlements and environmental approvals. LA’s Duncan Moore and Beth P. Gordie also secure approvals from boards and commissions for large and contentious developments. Orange County’s Nikki Buffa and San Diego’s Jennifer Roy advise on energy and infrastructure matters with a particular emphasis on environmental compliance.  George Mihlsten has retired from the partnership.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s environmental litigation practice is a leader in the US, with extensive experience in key legal and regulatory matters such as climate change, air and water quality, toxic torts, and energy law. It is recognized for its cutting-edge, diverse expertise, advising clients on significant issues at both federal and state levels. Its litigation team is known for handling high-profile environmental disputes for major corporations, including General Dynamics. Its strength is further enhanced by the addition of former senior US government official Janice M. Schneider , in Washington DC and Thomas Pearce, in New York, who offer invaluable insights into regulatory and legislative matters. Mary Rose Alexander , a prominent trial lawyer, represents Fortune 500 companies in complex litigation, including product liability, class actions, toxic torts, and environmental cases, with a proven track record in multi-state, multi-plaintiff cases. Robin M. Hulshizer specializes in toxic torts, greenwashing claims, and Superfund cost recovery. Alexander and Hulshizer both sit in the Chicago office. Also of note is Stacey VanBelleghem , in Washington DC, who has experience with the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.