Bracewell Extends its Environmental Reach with Four New Partners

AUSTIN, Texas – Bracewell & Giuliani LLP announced today that four partners are joining its environment and natural resources practice. Sara M. Burgin, Kevin D. Collins, Matt Paulson, and Whit Swift will work primarily from Bracewell’s Austin office, joining the firm’s environmental team anchored in Austin, Houston and Washington, D.C.

The combined team offers Bracewell’s clients a bench of excellence across Texas, including deep experience in air, water, wetlands, and waste issues, as well as contested case proceedings, strategic permitting assistance, infrastructure development, government investigations, enforcement defense, and crisis response.

“We are thrilled to join this team with ours,” said Bracewell Managing Partner Mark C. Evans. “Our environmental practice is a core offering to clients of the firm. This combination of capabilities, excellence, and experience in Texas and Washington will be a key asset to our clients.”

“We are listening to our clients,” said Jason Hutt, head of Bracewell’s environment and natural resources practice. “Environmental risks are increasingly important to their capital decisions and have become a frequent source of government investigations, enforcement and commercial disputes. Adding these superb practitioners allows us to remain trusted advisors when it matters most.”

“This is an unparalleled opportunity to offer clients market-leading capabilities in all areas of environmental law and policy,” said Matt Paulson. “We are very excited to join our friends at Bracewell.”

“I have known these attorneys for years, have worked alongside them and across from them and have tremendous respect for all of them,” said Tim Wilkins, Austin-based Bracewell environmental partner. “I am proud to have them joining our team at Bracewell.”

Sara M. Burgin – advises industrial and municipal clients on water quality, including permitting, compliance and enforcement matters relating to industrial and storm water discharges; surface water and ground water rights; water contracts; Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures requirements and applicability; Clean Water Act jurisdictional issues; and dredge and fill permitting.

Kevin D. Collins – is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and advises clients on a wide range of workplace safety and environmental issues. He has experience responding to major industrial accidents and conducting internal investigations in the energy and chemical sectors.

Matt Paulson – represents companies in environmental matters including strategic permitting, enforcement and compliance, investigations, litigation, and crisis response. He advises on federal and state environmental law issues arising under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act

Whit Swift – advises industrial companies on state and federal air quality permitting and regulations, such as Title V operating permits and New Source Review permitting. He represents clients in environmental litigation and contested case proceedings before the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Bracewell & Giuliani's environment and natural resources practice is an adviser to energy, power and industrial clients. Anchored in Texas and Washington, D.C., the practice provides advice, strategy and advocacy on air quality, climate change, water quality, wetlands, and waste and supports clients in contested case proceedings, project development, investigations, and enforcement. Bracewell has a unique platform of attorneys, public policy advocates and media specialists who collaborate with clients on challenges that intersect law, policy, and public opinion.

Our team has an insider's perspective, drawing on experience serving within Fortune 100 companies and in the White House; the U.S. Congress; the U.S. Attorney’s Office; and regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and Railroad Commission of Texas.