Biography

Katy uses her passion for environmental law to produce solutions for clients’ best interests.

Katy’s practice focuses on a diverse mix of environmental regulatory law and litigation. She helps clients address issues arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and Clean Water Act (CWA). Katy also has experience navigating issues surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), resource conservation, and aquaculture and fisheries.

Prior to joining Beveridge & Diamond, Katy clerked at the Washington Court of Appeals: Division 1. Katy wrote prehearing memoranda and draft judicial opinions across a variety of legal topics. She also clerked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Columbia River Gorge Commission, and the U.S. Department of Justice – Environment and Natural Resource Division.

During law school, Katy was vice president of Lewis and Clark Law School’s Environmental Law Caucus. She was also an Environmental Law Fellow, a recognition awarded to law students that demonstrate a strong capability for success in the environmental law program.

Outside of the office, Katy enjoys rock climbing, hiking, skiing, and spending time with her dog.

Education

  • Southern Illinois Univesity Carbondale  (B.S., magna cum laude, 2017)
    • Geography and Environmental Resource – Sustainability Major
    • Environmental Studies; English Minors
  • Lewis & Clark  (J.D., cum laude, 2021)
    • Certificate in Environmental & Natural Resource Law
    • Environmental Law Review
    • Environmental Law Caucus, Vice President
    • Pro Bono Honors Award

Bar Admissions

  • Washington

Professional Affiliations

  • Young Lawyer Liaison, Environmental & Land Use Law Section, Washington State Bar Association

Publications

  • Barbara M.R. Marvin, Katherine S. O'Keefe, "Environmental Liabilities," The Complete Compliance and Ethics Manual 2024 (Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics).
  • Jeffrey B. Litwak and Katherine O’Keefe, “Intergovernmental Relations,” in Developments in Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice 2019 (Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, 2020)