Principally serving the energy, utility and transportation industries as well as public ports, Jay Waldron represents a diverse client base in environmental and energy law and litigation. He has tried complex cases in federal and state courts and before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. At the appellate level, Jay has briefed and argued energy and environmental cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Oregon Supreme Court. 

Jay has represented clients at nearly two dozen state and federal Superfund sites and has drafted dozens of power sales and power purchase agreements. He advises clients in siting facilities from landfills to power plants and from pipelines to gold mines, including coal and crude oil terminals. With a reputation for suggesting innovative solutions to difficult issues, he has earned the respect of the environmental and regulatory communities.

Experience

• Obtained a $100 million award in international arbitration on an energy contract.
• Represents navigational interests on Endangered Species Act lawsuits related to the Columbia and Snake River Dam system in federal court.
• Successfully defended Federal Clean Air Act litigation regarding applicability of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) regulations.
• Obtained a $10 million award against the State of Oregon in a forest trust land dispute.
• Recovered $9.7 million for Coos County in a natural gas pipeline construction dispute.
• Won a jury verdict for $1.7 million in a water pricing dispute.
• Participated in the litigation and settlement of a $2 billion energy pricing dispute.
• Prevailed in federal litigation that upheld a Clean Air Act permit.
• Handling an ongoing administrative challenge to denial to construct coal transloading dock.

Memberships

• Lewis and Clark Board of Trustees, Member
• Clean Water Institute, Board President
• Halprin Conservancy, Board Member
• OHSU Board of Directors, Former Chair
• Port of Portland Commission, Former Chair

Awards

• Best Lawyers in America Award, Lawyer of the Year, Portland Environmental Litigation (2022)
• Best Lawyers in America Award, Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, and Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) Litigation (2009-2022)
• Oregon Super Lawyers, Environmental Litigation (2016-2019)
• Oregon State Bar Pro Bono award

News

Publications

Author, chapters in Environmental Law and Damages, Oregon State Bar Handbooks.

Author, "Navigating Environmental Law for Client Success" The Legal Impact of Climate Change.

Community Activities

• US Rugby Hall of Fame 2017-Player, Coach, Administrator 

Services