SHAWN J. O’BRIEN
Moseley,VA
Summary
Skilled legal professional equipped to excel in high-stakes environments. Expertise in environmental law, environmental aspects of contract negotiations, and regulatory permitting, compliance and enforcement. Collaborative team player focused on delivering strong outcomes and adaptable to evolving demands. Known for strong research abilities, analytical thinking, strategic problem-solving, and effective communication.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Attorney
Deere & Company
04.2023 - 12.2024
- Advised clients on compliance with major environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act, enhancing regulatory adherence
- Counseled client on permitting actions under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, facilitating operational continuity
- Advised client on a RCRA hazardous waste enforcement action and drafted response to a Violation Notice, mitigating potential penalties
- Counseled client on notification and cleanup of improperly disposed hazardous substance, avoiding enforcement action
- Advised and counseled client regarding the redevelopment of a Brownfield property including advising client on endangered species, vapor intrusion, relocation of brownfield soil to a greenfield, and wetland matters, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Negotiated amendments to a RCRA 3008(h) Administrative Order of Consent, and modifications to a RCRA permit with the U.S EPA.
- Assisted client in drafting and submitting a Superfund Remedial Performance Measures Certification of Completion pursuant to a Consent Decree, securing U.S. EPA’s approval
- Advised on global remediation and due diligence/integration matters
- Assisted client respond to a U.S. EPA CWA 308 request for information
- Advised client on global third-party and internal audit reports, ensuring disclosure of relevant compliance findings
- Prepared and negotiated environmental contractual terms in Master Environmental Service Agreement and other Service Provider Agreements, reducing risk to the client
Associate
Troutman Pepper
05.2017 - 03.2023
- Assisted in litigation under environmental statutes such as the Natural Gas Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Forest Management Act, strengthening client’s defenses
- Advised electric utilities, landfills, manufacturing, natural gas, and oil companies on compliance with environmental laws
- Assisted electrical utilities, landfills, manufacturing, renewable natural gas facilities and pipeline companies secure various permits under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act
- Assisted client in new rulemaking efforts at the federal level
- Assisted clients with the re-licensing of a hydroelectric project
- Assisted clients with environmental due diligence of real estate acquisitions
- Assisted solar and wind energy clients mitigate and manage environmental risks in business transactions by preparing and negotiating contractual terms and conditions and overseeing environmental due diligence
- Assisted water and waste recycling services client with its environmental and safety audit program
- Assisted clients develop environmental justice-related responses to comments submitted during permitting actions
- Tracked, analyzed, interpreted, and reported on environmental justice-related laws, regulations, policies, permitting actions, and agency meetings to an environmental justice working group
Associate
Hunton Andrews Kurth
11.2010 - 05.2017
- Counselled companies in matters associated with Clean Water Act compliance and enforcement; Clean Air Act compliance, permitting and enforcement; hazardous waste management; and voluntary remediation of contaminated sites
- Assisted client in obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Maryland Public Service Commission for the construction and operation of an LNG facility
- Advised clients on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality environmental reviews of utility projects seeking certificate of public convenience and necessity filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission
- Advised company on the necessary permits, and the timing of such permits, needed for the construction of an interstate pipeline
- Assisted clients with enforcement matters under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Assisted clients with environmental aspects of business transactions
- Managed food manufacturer’s national environmental and safety audit programs
- Drafted pleadings for environmental litigation matters
Intern
D.C. Bar EENR Section
09.2008 - 05.2009
- Produced the newsletter for the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Section
Summer Associate
Hunton & Williams
06.2008 - 08.2008
- Assisted attorneys in the Environmental and Litigation practice groups with various projects
- Duties included performing research, preparing various types of memoranda and a portion of a motion to dismiss
Intern
Natural Resource Defense Council
01.2008 - 04.2008
- Assisted attorneys with various projects concerning the Clean Water Act based on non-compliance by numerous companies in the VA/MD/DC region
- Conducted research, prepared memoranda and drafted a Freedom of Information Act request
Pfizer/ABA Legal/Publication Intern
Environmental Law Institute
06.2007 - 08.2007
- Researched, analyzed and wrote a memorandum on climate change draft bills introduced to Congress
- Conducted research and wrote several proposals regarding private sector participation in International Waters Management projects
- Researched regulations passed by states concerning invasive species
- Updated the congressional and litigation material for the Environmental Law Reporter website
- Edited citations for various projects
Education
J.D. -
Howard University School of Law
Washington, DC05.2009
M.S. - Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD05.2005
B.S. - Biology
Grambling State University
Grambling, LA12.2001
Skills
- Environmental law
- Legal analysis
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Legal drafting
- Document review
- Client counseling
- Mergers and acquisitions
Professionalorganizations
Virginia Bar Association Environment, Natural Resources & Energy Law Section
Publications
Private Civil Rights Suits Not Enough for Environmental Justice, Law360, 01/04/21
Presentations
- Environmental Justice 2020, Troutman Pepper, 08/06/20
- Changes to FERC’s Pipeline Review Process Under the New Administration and Chair, Energy, Utility & Environment Conference, 03/09/21
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Attorney
Deere & Company
04.2023 - 12.2024
Associate
Troutman Pepper
05.2017 - 03.2023
Associate
Hunton Andrews Kurth
11.2010 - 05.2017
Intern
D.C. Bar EENR Section
09.2008 - 05.2009
Summer Associate
Hunton & Williams
06.2008 - 08.2008
Intern
Natural Resource Defense Council
01.2008 - 04.2008
Pfizer/ABA Legal/Publication Intern
Environmental Law Institute
06.2007 - 08.2007
M.S. - Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
B.S. - Biology
Grambling State University
J.D. -
Howard University School of Law
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