Earth & Water Law
Earth & Water Law, LLC is a U.S.-based environmental and natural resources law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2016 by former senior officials from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the firm advises public and private sector clients on regulatory compliance, litigation, permitting, and environmental policy. It has been described as a “high-powered boutique” law firm and an “ex-officials’ law firm” due to its concentration of former government attorneys and regulators.[1]
History
Earth & Water Law was established in 2016 by Brent Fewell, a former Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator in the EPA’s Office of Water. The firm was created to provide clients with strategic environmental counsel informed by government experience.[2]
In 2017, the firm expanded its footprint into the Midwest and Southern U.S., opening offices in Oklahoma City and other locations, which POLITICO described as part of a strategy to serve regulated entities across regions facing complex enforcement challenges.[3]
In 2024, Earth & Water Law received additional national attention when Leonard A. Miller, a founding employee of the EPA and former Director of the Water Enforcement Division, joined the firm as a partner.[1]
Practice Areas
The firm represents clients in a wide range of environmental matters, including:
- Regulatory compliance under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- PFAS and emerging contaminant litigation
- Superfund (CERCLA) cleanup and liability
- Brownfield redevelopment and water rights
- NEPA environmental review and permitting
- Enforcement defense and environmental litigation
Earth & Water Law is particularly active in PFAS-related litigation and policy advising. PFAS litigation is a growing area of law involving billions in settlement awards nationally, with complex implications for water utilities and manufacturers.[4][5]
Offices
The firm’s headquarters is in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Austin, Texas; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Grand Rapids, Michigan.[6]
Recognition
In the 2025 edition of Chambers USA, Earth & Water Law is ranked Band 4 in the Environment category for Washington, D.C.[7] Chambers notes the firm’s “deep expertise in enforcement, emerging contaminants, and environmental crime.” Several of the firm’s attorneys are individually ranked, including Karen Bennett, Jeffrey Longsworth, and Mary Ellen Ternes.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the firm has 18 attorneys and a national presence across five or more offices, with recognition for its environmental litigation practice.[8]
Notable Attorneys
- Brent Fewell – Founder and Chair. Former EPA senior official and water law advisor.[2]
- Leonard A. Miller – Former Director of EPA’s Water Enforcement Division and a founding member of the agency.[9]
- Susan Bodine – Former Assistant Administrator of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance at EPA and former chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.[10]
- Jeffrey S. Longsworth – Chambers-ranked attorney specializing in municipal stormwater compliance.[7]
- Karen Bennett – Chambers-ranked environmental attorney with expertise in industrial permitting.
- Mary Ellen Ternes – Recognized environmental litigator based in North Carolina.
- Edward B. Witte – Environmental and natural resources attorney ranked in Wisconsin.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bogardus, Kevin (2024-04-15). "EPA veteran joins ex-officials' law firm". E&E News / POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Brent Fewell – Biography". Earth & Water Law. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Former EPA staffers expand boutique environmental law firm". POLITICO Pro. 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Lawyers in PFAS water settlements win $956 million in fees". Reuters. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Environmental Litigation Update – March 2025". Quinn Emanuel. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Our Professionals". Earth & Water Law. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Earth & Water Law LLC – Chambers USA 2025". Chambers USA. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Earth & Water Law – U.S. News Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Leonard A. Miller – Biography". Earth & Water Law. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Susan Bodine". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
External links
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