Bracewell LLP has developed a strong regulatory practice, notable for its coverage of matters across the energy, chemical, waste, and infrastructure sectors. The firm has built an impressive client roster of energy and energy-related companies seeking assistance with matters at the intersection of energy and the environment. The practice is jointly led by Jeffrey Holmstead and Jason Hutt in Washington DC. Holmstead has longstanding experience with the Clean Air Act and climate change, while Hutt possesses a strong grasp of enforcement defense work. Another notable name in the DC office is Ann Navaro, who provides infrastructure developers and companies active in the upstream, pipeline, and renewables sectors, among others, with project advice. Sara Burgin chiefly focuses on permitting, compliance, and enforcement relating to water, whereas Kevin Collins offers a broad practice covering internal investigations and assisting clients on agency management programs. Matt Paulson offers a broad practice across permitting, investigations, crisis response, and compliance, and Timothy Wilkins is an active advisor on environmental compliance audits. All lawyers mentioned are based in Austin, unless otherwise stated.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Outstanding knowledge and insights on U.S. Corps of Engineers permitting.’
‘Ann Navaro is a leader on permitting.’
‘Bracewell has the deepest regulatory knowledge and experience of all the large firms. Their Washington team is well connected with regulatory trends and informs us of potential issues we may face.’
- ‘They engage with all the players in the areas that we work and are great networkers for the benefit of their clients. They bring innovative strategies to compliance issues, and the results have been stellar. Bracewell is always my first call.’
‘Jason Hutt, Kevin Ewing, and their team are so collaborative and smart that they can deliver the right expertise and strategy needed by clients in very complex/regulatory heavy industries.’
Key clients
- Denka Performance Elastomer LLC
- Kinder Morgan, Inc.
- US Chamber of Commerce
- Energy Forward
- Cheniere Energy, Inc.
- REH Company
- King Ranch Minerals, Inc.
- Par Pacific
- INEOS Calabrian
Work highlights
Advising Denka Performance Elastomer LLC on complex regulatory and contractual issues following the suspension of operations at its Louisiana facility.
Advised the US Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of more than two dozen major trade associations on the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s overhaul of National Environmental Policy Act regulations, preparing comprehensive comments addressing broad industry concerns and shaping federal policy changes affecting permitting, infrastructure and energy development nationwide.
Managing Energy Forward, a coalition of major utilities including Duke, Southern Company, Ameren, DTE, Vistra and the Salt River Project. The firm advises on legal, regulatory and policy issues tied to their mix of energy generation from various sources, representing them before Congress, federal agencies and the courts.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Kevin Voelkel
Practice head
Jason Hutt; Jeffrey Holmstead
Other key lawyers
Kevin Voelkel; Whit Swift; Ann Navaro; Sara Burgin; Kevin Collins; Matt Paulson; Timothy Wilkins; Kevin Ewing