Department profile
Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Environment

USA Guide 2026 : Virginia


Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Science, innovation, and litigation continue to outpace the laws and regulations affecting natural resources and environmental protection, presenting challenges across all regulated sectors. At the same time, divergent federal, state, and local laws create an uneven, increasingly complex, and rapidly changing regulatory landscape. Our team guides clients through the growing disconnect between these legal and business realities.

We offer comprehensive regulatory, policy, transactional, and litigation support to clients at the forefront of natural resources, environmental, and energy law. We deliver leading-edge advice regarding major project and infrastructure development, internal governance, auditing and assurance, enforcement defense, regulatory compliance and advocacy, complex transactions, and bet-the-company litigation. We handle bellwether proceedings across the U.S. involving major infrastructure initiatives, energy transition and fleet/grid modernization, carbon capture, e-mobility and electric vehicles, critical minerals, endangered species, NEPA compliance, permitting, federal lands, EPA and DOI rulemakings, DOE grants, PFAS regulations and litigation, and ESG strategies.

From market leaders to new entrants, we provide time-tested insights into the risks and challenges associated with environmental issues and regularly serve major public and private companies, utilities, developers, investors, local governments, and others across numerous sectors.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Environment - Virginia

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP has a well-respected environment practice, renowned for its strength in water matters. It routinely handles site development and environmental litigation, as well as conducting environmental due diligence on business transactions. The team has further experience with mandates related to ash compliance, mining regulations and site contamination. The department acts for a diverse range of clients, including major energy and water companies, trade associations and municipalities. It is also noted for its strength in state and federal regulatory matters, offering clients the benefits of its attorneys' strong links with the relevant bodies. The firm's strength in Virginia is supplemented by a strong national presence and environmental law department.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Troutman Pepper Locke serve as a trusted advisor to Kiewit Corporation on a range of different environmental matters affecting their construction operations from coast to coast.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They make you feel as if they are really invested as part of our team. They're great with clients, they are very practical and they bring with them a humility and approach that is wonderful to work with.

    Environment respondentUSA
  • Troutman Pepper have an excellent environmental practice with a great deal of expertise and experience. They are knowledgeable, highly responsive, and practical.

    Environment respondentUSA
  • Virginia has a rapidly changing environmental regulatory landscape, and they have been very helpful in guiding the industry through these changes.

    Environment respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Andrea W Wortzel
    Band 1Andrea W Wortzel

    Andrea W Wortzel

    Andrea Wortzel has a highly regarded environmental practice that sees her handling water-related issues such as permitting and supply planning, as well as advising clients on landfill, infrastructure and waste management matters. She also assists clients with water regulatory compliance and contamination matters.

    • She's just exceptionally credible and trustworthy, with a very high level of subject matter expertise. She is solutions-oriented but she also has a wonderful and positive approach to practicing law.

      Environment respondentUSA
    • Her distinguishing strengths are her leadership, her ability to connect the dots over information and facts, and her work with the broader industry.

      Environment respondentUSA
  • Band 1Brooks M Smith
    Band 1Brooks M Smith

    Brooks M Smith

    Brooks Smith is particularly well known in the field of water law. He represents clients such as water treatment facilities, public sector organizations and coal companies in litigation and enforcement actions, as well as advising them on permitting and compliance issues.
    • He's such an expert, he has a deep regulatory knowledge and a strong relationship with agencies.

      Environment respondentUSA
  • Band 2Shannon Varner
    Band 2Shannon Varner

    Shannon Varner

    Shannon Varner advises clients on a range of issues, including permitting and regulatory compliance, brownfield redevelopment and voluntary remediation programs. He has experience with water matters and solar projects.

  • Up and ComingAndrew Flavin
    Up and ComingAndrew Flavin

    Andrew Flavin

    Andrew Flavin is a well-regarded environmental practitioner, earning praise for his skills in regulatory and administrative litigation. He has notable experience with electrical infrastructure and solar projects.

Ranked Individuals at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP (4)

Virginia

Members

Provided by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP has rankings in the following guides

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