Industry focus
How I represent clients at Schwabe
I am a passionate and determined lawyer dedicated to helping clients navigate the intricate world of environmental and natural resource law. My focus lies in providing strategic guidance on a variety of issues, including water rights, environmental compliance, and due diligence. In my practice, I help clients, big and small, understand and comply with a range of regulatory frameworks at the local and national levels.
While in law school, I actively participated in the Washington Journal of Social and Environmental Justice as well as the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic. In addition, I served as a legal researcher for a tribal entity in Washington. During my summer, I gained practical experience as a Summer Associate at Schwabe.
Experience
- Successfully protested the Oregon Water Resources Department’s proposed denial of our client’s application to extend a water use permit for an organic farm in Oregon. The proposed denial would have had significant negative impacts on operations, reducing the authorized rate of diversion and irrigated acreage. We negotiated a settlement with OWRD that provided for the requested extension and preserved the entire permitted rate and acreage.
- Represented agricultural clients in a federal court case related to Endangered Species Act delisting issues.
- Successfully negotiated for a maritime client the significant reduction of a fine issued by Ecology under the Model Toxics Control Act and a Natural Resource Damage Assessment dismissal issued by the U.S. Coast Guard under the Oil Pollution Act.
- Aided in the defense of various port clients in Washington from citizen suits under the Clean Water Act filed by environmental groups regarding stormwater management.
- Has published and spoken on a variety of topics related to complex environmental state and federal regulatory changes and statutes like the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Law and Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
- Conducts legal research on complex environmental statutes like the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Law and Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
- Drafted memoranda related to state zoning and permitting laws.
- Assisted applicants with obtaining, managing, and defending water rights in Washington and Oregon.
Education
- University of Washington, School of Law, Juris Doctor (2023)
- Bellevue College, Technical Writing Certification (2017)
- Seattle University, Bachelor of Arts, Creative Writing, Performing Arts (2014)
Admissions
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Washington
Memberships
Washington Journal of Social and Environmental Justice, Editor (2021–2022), Leadership team (2022–2023)
Awards
Jack MacDonald Merit Award Winner, University of Washington (2023)
Services
Community Activities
Seattle Humane, Cat Foster and Run Dog Run Volunteer (2015-present)
Outside Interests
Summiting Mount Saint Helens (also called Loowit and Lawetlat’la). Outside interests: Hiking, climbing, ballroom dancing, running with my dog, and gardening.
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