Nationally Recognized Natural Resources Attorneys Join Sedgwick's D.C. Office

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Sep 4, 2013) -  Sedgwick LLP announces that renowned natural resources attorneys Steven P. Quarles and David P. Ross have joined the firm's Land Use and Natural Resources Practice as partners in our Washington, D.C. office. Considered a dean of federal natural resources law, Quarles has a broad administrative, regulatory, transactional and litigation practice, and counsels government entities, private companies and trade associations across the United States. Quarles and Ross add to the world class team of natural resources, endangered species and land use attorneys at Sedgwick. 

"Over the last three years, Sedgwick has assembled a preeminent team of experts in land use and natural resources," said Curtis Parvin, chair of the firm's Commercial Division. "Steve and Dave's addition will supplement our ability to provide these services to clients anywhere in the country and increase our depth of experience in environmental regulatory matters."

In September 2012, an Austin-based natural resources group, led by partner Alan Glen, joined the firm, adding its capabilities to Sedgwick's existing land use team in the firm's California offices. The members of the Land Use and Natural Resources Practice Group work with clients across the country and handle virtually all transactional and litigation aspects of land use and development, natural resources conservation, and matters arising under federal and state environmental laws. The experience of Quarles and Ross in environmental, natural resources and land use issues, particularly the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act and other federal regulatory programs, complements Sedgwick's existing practices, bolsters the firm's environmental regulatory and litigation capabilities, and increases the variety of matters the group handles. 

"Steve and Dave have extensive knowledge in a complex area of federal law," said Anna Shimko, chair of Sedgwick's Real Estate, Land Use and Natural Resources Practices. "Their talents and winning personalities, combined with those of the other members of our group in California and Texas, make our team even stronger as we collaborate from multiple offices on projects as diverse as wind farms, resorts, transmission corridors, new residential communities and endangered species conservation banks." 

Sedgwick attorneys have previously collaborated extensively with Quarles and Ross in the co-representation of clients. Recently, Quarles and Ross and Sedgwick's Austin team were jointly selected as a preferred provider on environmental issues by a national wind energy trade association. Quarles and Glen are also serving as lead counsel to the wind industry in the development of two unprecedented multistate habitat conservation plans under the Endangered Species Act. Together these plans will cover the next 45 years of wind development in a total of 17 states. 

"Dave and I are thrilled to join Sedgwick's dynamic and growing Land Use and Natural Resources Practice Group," Quarles said. "We have worked very successfully with several of Sedgwick's attorneys for years on various cutting-edge projects, and I count some of their attorneys as among my best friends." 

Attorney Biographies

Quarles focuses his practice on addressing issues concerning federal wildlife laws and public land laws, is a recognized authority on related federal policy matters and is frequently in contact with executive and legislative branch leaders on those issues. He represents a wide range of renewable and other energy, forest products, mining, agricultural and land development associations and companies; policy coalitions; state and local governments; and land conservation trusts. He has a broad administrative practice that includes securing policy constructions and changes from federal agencies in Washington, D.C. and advising on, and preparing the documentation for, the permitting of projects throughout the country. Quarles served as Deputy Under Secretary of the Department of the Interior and counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School (1968) and A.B. from Princeton University (1964).

Ross specializes in regulatory counseling, enforcement defense, and litigation of environmental and natural resources matters, with an emphasis on the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, federal wildlife law, renewable and other energy projects, federal land use issues, water quality policy and litigation, and storm water regulation and control. He obtained a Master of Studies in environmental law, summa cum laude, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Vermont Law School (2001). Ross earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (1994). 

About Sedgwick

The international trial firm of Sedgwick LLP provides trial, appellate, litigation management, counseling, risk management and transactional legal services to the world's leading companies. With more than 370 attorneys in offices in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Orange County (California), Paris, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., and an affiliated office in Bermuda, Sedgwick's collective experience spans the globe and virtually every industry. For more information about Sedgwick, its attorneys and services, visit www.sedgwicklaw.com.