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Jennifer Hughes

Jennifer L. Hughes Counsel - Not admitted in Georgia; admitted in West Virginia

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Atlanta T +1 404 443 5545 F fax +1 404 443 5755
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Jenn is an experienced environmental attorney who counsels clients on a broad range of environmental matters, including those involving the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, EPCRA, and their state and local counterparts. Jenn is adept at advising on environmental due diligence, site assessments, and complex permitting issues. She is well-versed in defending clients against agency enforcement actions and citizen suits, ensuring that their operational practices align with current environmental standards.

Jenn is also a member of the firm’s Crisis Management and Incident Response team, known for her timely response and deep understanding of the issues at play during a crisis. Jenn defended an investor-owned water utility company after a chemical spill contaminated the public water supply of nearly 300,000 customers. Her representation included the initial incident response and defending the company in state and federal class action suits at the summary judgment stage.

Before joining McGuireWoods, Jenn spent five years at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. During her tenure, she represented the agency in both administrative and judicial proceedings and counseled agency personnel on proposed legislation and rulemaking.

Experience

  • Defended coal companies in several Clean Water Act citizen suits in federal court involving complex scientific and technical issues and avoided multimillion-dollar injunctive relief sought by plaintiffs.*
  • Negotiated dozens of administrative consent orders with state and federal regulators on behalf of regulated entities to resolve alleged violations of environmental laws and/or permits and reduce monetary penalties.*
  • Advised midstream natural gas company on state and federal environmental permitting and enforcement issues associated with an interstate natural gas pipeline project and assisted in defending the project’s local, state, and federal authorizations and permits from legal challenges in state court and the Fourth Circuit.*
  • Counseled publicly traded natural gas production company on routine hazardous waste compliance issues at various facilities and operations.*
  • Represented trade associations and other industry groups by submitting public comments on proposed environmental rules and participating in related litigation as parties and/or amicus curiae.*
  • Advised companies engaged in development and financing of solar and wind energy projects on environmental aspects of transactions, including due diligence, site assessments, permitting, and enforcement issues.*
  • Defended West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s actions on permitting and enforcement issues in administrative proceedings before the Environmental Quality Board, Air Quality Board, and Surface Mine Board.*

*Experience handled prior to joining McGuireWoods.