Matthew Cohen

Practice Areas

Matt Cohen represents industries, utilities, and trade associations in legislative, rulemaking, permitting, and enforcement matters arising under state and federal environmental laws. Since 1990, Matt has represented industries and trade associations in the development of state rules to implement the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. More recently he has supported clients in rulemaking to implement the Washington Climate Commitment Act, landfill methane emissions standards and EPA standards to control methane from oil and gas production. He supports clients applying for Title V air operating permits and Prevention of Significant Deterioration permits for complex industrial facilities, as well as clients facing EPA and state enforcement proceedings.

Matt also represents non-profit organizations and local governments seeking to develop bicycle trails on inactive railroad rights-of-way. He represented the Rails-to-Trails conservancy in Dave v. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 79 F.3d 940 (9th Cir. 1996), a Fifth Amendment takings claim, and recently assisted the cities of Redmond, Kirkland and Woodinville, Washington, in efforts to acquire and railbank a 42-mile railroad right-of-way in the east suburbs of Seattle.

Before joining Stoel Rives, Matt was a law clerk to the Oregon Supreme Court's Chief Justice Arno H. Denecke.