Perkins Coie: Grows environment, energy and resources practice with addition of litigation partner in Madison

Perkins Coie Grows Environment, Energy & Resources Practice with Addition of Litigation Partner in Madison

MADISON, Wis. (July 14, 2016) – Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Brian H. Potts has joined the firm’s Environment, Energy & Resources (EER) practice in Madison. Brian will focus his efforts on multistate energy and environmental regulatory issues.

“Brian is an exceptionally experienced litigator who is widely respected for his strong Midwestern energy regulatory practice,” said Karen McGaffey, Chair of Perkins Coie’s EER practice. “Prior to joining Perkins Coie, we collaborated with Brian in representing shared clients and we look forward to continuing to serve those clients together. I am delighted to welcome him to the partnership and our growing national environmental and energy practice.”

Formerly at Foley & Lardner, Brian counsels clients on federal energy and environmental regulations and has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts and in a wide array of administrative contested-case hearings. Among other things, he advises clients regarding the regulatory approvals and permits needed to build and operate their energy projects. Brian serves as the general counsel for and an executive board member of the Clean Lakes Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of Madison-area lakes and waterways, and is a Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commissioner. Brian earned his J.D., cum laude, from Vermont Law School, received his B.S. from Centre College, and earned his LL.M. in Energy Law from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

“Brian and his practice are a great fit for Perkins Coie,” said Michelle Umberger, Office Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s Madison office. “His solid reputation as a litigator and proven track record of success providing essential counsel in energy and environmental regulatory matters greatly enhance the high level of support we provide our clients regionally and in our nationally recognized practice.”

Perkins Coie’s Environment, Energy & Resources group represents private companies and public agencies in counseling and litigation matters. With more than 110 EER attorneys in offices across the United States, the firm is widely recognized for its ability to help plan a project’s development, secure the necessary permits in a timely manner, reduce the likelihood of litigation and help facilitate post-development and ongoing compliance and regulatory contacts. Perkins Coie’s EER attorneys also represent clients in the full range of environmental litigation matters. Chambers USA ranks the firm’s environmental group as one of the nation’s top national practices. Perkins Coie’s EER lawyers also have high ratings in the International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.

About Perkins Coie: Founded in 1912, Perkins Coie LLP has more than 1,000 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia. The firm provides a full array of corporate, commercial litigation and intellectual property legal services to a broad range of clients, from FORTUNE 50 corporations to emerging growth startups, as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.