In the final quarter of 2023, B&D welcomed eight new of counsel, associates, and law clerks. We are delighted to welcome these lawyers to our Austin, Baltimore, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, offices. Please join us in welcoming Timothy J. Sullivan, Kennard Davis, Audra Gale, Nicole Garson, Nick Hanel, Lauren Lankenau, Jesse Miles, and Joe Ruggiero.

"These eight lawyers who joined us in late 2023 are the latest reflection of the firm’s strategic plan that we began implementing last year and that saw us hire more than 15 new lawyers – and we aren’t done yet. We look forward to their contributions to our clients and practice areas across the firm for years to come.”

— Marc Goldstein, Firmwide Managing Principal

Timothy J. Sullivan (Of Counsel, Washington, DC)

Tim advises clients on regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and state and local air pollution statutes and regulations. As a former Attorney-Advisor with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tim counseled on CAA judicial and administrative enforcement cases and compliance investigations. At EPA, he negotiated enforcement case resolutions, drafted case documents, and conducted investigative case-development work with engineers and policy professionals to advance enforcement policy and priorities. Tim has extensive experience with the oil and gas industry, developing EPA's Oil and Gas Audit Programs and implementing EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative for work on CAA enforcement at exploration, production, and processing sites. Tim draws on his vast government experience to provide effective counsel on environmental issues.  Tim will continue to practice and reside in Denver while being affiliated with the firm’s Washington, DC, office.

*Admitted only in Colorado; not a member of the DC Bar. DC practice supervised by members of the DC Bar.

Kennard Davis (Associate, Baltimore)

Kennard assists clients with developing litigation strategies on a broad range of commercial and environmental matters. He is involved at every step of the litigation process, from drafting pleadings, motions, and settlement agreements to conducting mediations, settlement negotiations, formal discovery, depositions, research, oral arguments, and trial preparation and participation. He has represented large companies in toxic tort litigation, wrongful death suits, product liability cases, eminent domain, and more. Kennard also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, helping major corporations reach favorable outcomes in arbitration.

*Admitted only in DC and Louisiana; not a member of the MD Bar. MD practice supervised by members of the MD Bar.

Audra Gale (Law Clerk, Washington, DC)

Audra uses her background in international environmental policy and her passion for advocacy to maintain a robust mixed practice on the domestic and international stage. As a law clerk and former summer associate, Audra represents businesses in complex environmental, class action, and toxic tort litigation matters. Her experience includes supporting large-scale e-discovery efforts and working with expert witnesses to build a strong and effective defense. She also helps clients to meet and look ahead on future international regulatory requirements for plastics, fashion and textiles, and technology under the Basel Convention and beyond.

*Not a member of the DC Bar. DC practice supervised by members of the DC Bar.

Nicole Garson (Associate, San Francisco)

Nicole helps clients navigate regulatory, litigation, and land-use matters. She has experience working on matters arising under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), CAA, Endangered Species Act, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Nicole previously worked as a land use associate attorney representing public entities throughout California. Nicole has supported municipal clients in navigating federal and state regulations that govern their operations and complex development projects. She has advised clients on major land use decisions, governmental tort liability, and inverse condemnation. Nicole has also represented water utilities in securing land easements, litigating eminent domain matters, and defending challenges arising under CEQA.

Nick Hanel (Associate, Washington, DC)

Nick helps clients navigate complex federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for energy development, environmental compliance, and land use. Nick’s practice touches on all aspects of regulatory and governmental compliance for clients in the energy industry under major state and federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, NEPA, and CAA. He assists clients with application materials for environmental licenses and permits under state and federal programs, aids with site permitting and zoning issues, and advises on local energy transmission interconnection laws. He has experience advising clients on potential liability under the Superfund program and assists in conducting environmental due diligence for contaminated sites. He also represents clients in property acquisitions and manages the day-to-day transaction operations.

*Admitted only in Massachusetts; not a member of the DC Bar. DC practice supervised by members of the DC Bar.

Lauren Lankenau (Associate, Austin)

Lauren uses her background in environmental studies and law to help clients navigate complex civil litigation. Before joining B&D, she was an associate at a complex litigation firm in Seattle, where she contributed to numerous successful outcomes for her clients. She previously represented private and government clients through all stages of litigation, from case management and strategy development to preparing expert witnesses for trial. She has experience drafting a wide range of documents, including class action complaints submitted to various Multi-District Litigations (MDLs), MDL leadership applications, interrogatories, motions in limine, client fee agreements, and motions to dismiss.

*Admitted only in Washington; not a member of the TX Bar. TX practice supervised by members of the TX Bar.

Jesse Miles (Associate, Seattle)

Jesse uses his experience as a biologist to counsel clients on litigation and compliance matters. Jesse advises clients from individuals to FORTUNE® 500 companies on federal and state litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance matters with a focus on endangered and protected species. Jesse was a published biologist prior to law school. He studied the effects of insecticides on wetland ecosystems and the effects of mineral transport on amphibian populations. Jesse now bridges the gap between the scientific and legal communities using his subject matter fluency in each. He also gained vocational experience doing environmental work for two federal agencies, a non-profit, and a major petroleum company.

Joe Ruggiero (Associate, Boston)

Joe focuses his practice on disputes related to real estate, environmental, energy, and land use law. Before joining B&D, Joe helped clients navigate an array of complex transactional matters, including commercial real estate joint ventures, debt financings, and mergers & acquisitions. During law school, Joe interned at EPA’s Region 1 office and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Office of the General Counsel. He also interned at the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts under Honorable Katherine A. Robertson, Magistrate judge.