Matthew Paulson

Practice Areas

Represents companies in oil and gas, refining, power and chemical manufacturing industries on strategic permitting, regulatory compliance, investigations, enforcement, and civil and appellate litigation. Advises clients on issues arising under all of the major federal environmental laws and their state counterparts. Counsels clients at the early project planning stages, assisting with scoping a broad array of regulatory and permitting requirements across all media and disciplines, from air, water and waste permitting, endangered species and cultural resource reviews, as well as other federal, state, and local requirements that can affect project timing and viability.

Assists companies with crisis management and prevention, including responding to major accidents and conducting internal investigations associated with allegations of criminal and civil wrongdoing. Represents clients in state and federal enforcement actions involving alleged environmental and safety violations at major industrial facilities.

Advises energy companies on sustainability/ESG reporting, related policy issues, and strategic risk management around climate change and energy transition initiatives, including CCUS projects, lifecycle and scenario analyses, and alignment with third-party disclosure formats.

Professional Memberships

Austin Bar Association Environmental Section, 2007–2016; Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2014–2023; Austin Bar Foundation Fellow, 2016-2023

Personal

JD, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 1998, with honors; BA, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1995