If you come here with any regularity, you may notice that there is a new firm name on the blog. I joined Graham & Dunn at the beginning of the year as a shareholder, where I will continue my environmental law, land use, and natural resource practice.
I am excited about the move for many reasons. The firm is a great group of pragmatic, efficient, and intelligent lawyers who are –I know this is hard to believe considering the profession–also really wonderful people. I’ve landed in the middle of a vibrant environmental practice group, and many of the lawyers in that group have expressed interest in contributing to the blog. You’ll already notice that we’ve added some very thoughtful and insightful posts by Elaine Spencer, one of my partners whose practice focuses on land use and natural resource issues. Elaine is one of the clearest thinkers and writers I have run across, and has a terrific grasp on many topics of importance to the Pacific Northwest such as her recent analysis of Ecology’s proposed changes to SEPA, or her analysis of the intersection of low electric rates and the transition towards clean energy sources, or her discussion of national and global energy issues. I’d encourage you to take some time to browse Elaine’s posts.
Diane Meyers is another super sharp lawyer here. Diane’s practice runs the gamut from bread and butter insurance coverage matters to environmental litigation. She focuses on cleanup cost recovery, natural resource damage claims, and the regulatory compliance issues. On a personal note, she’s somewhat bike crazy, and in her own words, “loves bikes, and is crazy enough to commute on one even during the Pacific Northwest winter months.” She is threatening to get me on one for my commute . . .
I now share an office wall with Steve Goodman, who brought his background as a civil and environmental engineer with him when he crossed over to being a lawyer, providing a technical foundation that aids him in his environmental practice. That practice includes advising clients on remedial cost recovery actions under state and federal law, handling insurance coverage for environmental matters, and providing compliance advice with respect to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and other state and federal environmental regulatory regimes. I am hopeful Steve will chime in here from time to time to share his thoughts on evolving science and policy issues.
Jess Webster is the guy you wouldn’t pick out of the room as a lawyer–and that is as high of a compliment that I can pay someone. He has a strong maritime practice here at Graham & Dunn and his own blog, Northwest Maritime Law & Marine Affairs. Many of the issues his clients face involve complex questions of science, law, and policy, and I’m hopeful he’ll also chime in here from time to time. I know his experience and knowledge will provide an important perspective on many of the evolving issues here in the Pacific Northwest.
Finally, Graham & Dunn is in the process of opening an office in California, which will be strongly centered on environmental and natural resource law. This blog has always been loosely focused on the Pacific Northwest, but issues and policy decisions in California often impact the entire West Coast. I’m excited that the expansion of Graham & Dunn offers the opportunity to tap the perspective and experience of that office.
I always appreciate those of you that take the time to read this blog and I hope that these author additions are as exciting for you as readers of the blog as they are for me.