Industry focus
I strive to learn my clients’ needs so I can help them find solutions that further their growth and development goals.
How I represent clients at Schwabe
I help individuals and businesses throughout the Northwest resolve disputes and navigate permitting processes through strategic and substantive counsel on water rights, natural resources, and environmental issues. My environmental compliance and due diligence work, coupled with my experience litigating disputes and negotiating solutions with regulatory agencies, help me identify the distinctions that are critical to reaching my client’s goals.
I advise clients in traditional and renewable energy sectors, including renewable energy development, solar projects, and mining development projects. My experience includes handling all legal aspects of the development process for environmental permitting; transactional environmental due diligence; wetlands permitting; endangered, threatened, and sensitive species; and water rights. I have also represented clients before state and federal courts and environmental agencies.
Experience
- Assisted a large U.S. mining company in multi-state acquisition of multiple mines by navigating state and federal environmental permitting requirements and conducting due diligence.
- Counseled client in exploration, permitting, and strategy related to exploratory mining for critical minerals.
- Advised a client on permitting a large energy development project requiring a Clean Water Act 404 permit and provided strategic advice on compliance with federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes.
- Guided solar development projects through obtaining state and federal wetland permits and complying with the National Historic Preservation Act.
- Represented client in environmental diligence on the acquisition of a renewable energy facility with assets of $75 million.
- Assisted applicants in obtaining water rights (storage, groundwater, surface water), transfers, permit amendments, extensions of time, and groundwater modifications from the Oregon Water Resources Department.
- Provided water rights due diligence and environmental due diligence for real estate transactions and developments in Oregon and Montana.
- Represented companies in resolving enforcement actions from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and negotiating a regulatory path for continued operations.
- Achieved a favorable jury verdict in a negligence and contract dispute involving a failure to deliver irrigation water that caused crop losses.
- Advised a private water company in a sale to a large utility company, including conducting water rights due diligence, integrating findings into the purchase and sale agreement, and providing continued advice on water right compliance.
Education
- University of Oregon, Bachelor of Arts degree, Political Science, cum laude (2013)
- University of Montana, School of Law, Juris Doctor degree and certificate in Natural Resources and Environmental Law (2016)
Admissions
- Montana State Courts
- Oregon State Courts
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. District Court - District of Montana
- U.S. District Court - District of Oregon
Memberships
- Oregon State Bar, Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section, Member
- Montana State Bar, Water Law Section, Member
Awards
- American Bar Association (ABA) National Negotiation Competition, semi-finalist (2016), competitor (2015)
- ABA Regional Negotiation Competition, champion (2014, 2015)
- University of Oregon Libraries’ Undergraduate Thesis Research Award (2014)
Additional Publications
Brooks v. Byler, ENR Case Notes, Vol. 40, Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section, July 2020
Contributing Author, Water Resources Chapter, “Environment, Energy and Resources Law—The Year in Review,” American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources, 2016 and 2018
“Public Water District Bylaws: Untangling the Rules,” Water Gram, Idaho Rural Water Association, December 2018
“Waters of the United States: Churning with No Certainty Yet,” Water Gram, Idaho Rural Water Association, June 2018
National Wildlife Foundation v. National Marine Fisheries Service, ENR Case Notes, Vol. 29, Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section, April 2017
Additional Events
Oregon Water Use Management and Water User Tools in Drought Conditions, Oregon State Bar Sustainable Future Section CLE, April 22, 2022
Speaker, “Public Meetings Laws & Procedures,” Oregon Association of Water Utilities, Seaside and Sunriver, Oregon, August 2017 and March 2018
Services
Community Activities
- Public Land & Resources Law Review, Advisory Board Member (Fall 2024-present)
- Columbia Land Trust Board Member (2022-present)
- Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section, Executive Committee (2022–present)
- Women in Environment Board Member (2019-2022)
- Women in Environment Portland Mentoring Committee Chair (2019-2022); member (2018-present)
Outside Interests
Running, hiking, and backcountry skiing in the mountains of Oregon and Montana.
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