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Casey Hopkins

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Casey advises and represents clients in a wide variety of matters relating to environmental laws. In transactional contexts, he has structured allocations of liability in mergers and acquisitions, assisted clients in creative approaches to restructuring environmental requirements, and led the conduct of diligence and negotiations on environmental requirements in connection with asset sales and project financings within the United States and internationally. In addition, he has advised clients on environmental issues in connection with securities offerings and private placements, and represented various companies in obtaining environmental approvals required for energy infrastructure projects. Casey has also defended environmental remediation claims, toxic tort lawsuits, civil and criminal cases related to alleged violations of environmental laws, and numerous administrative enforcement investigations and proceedings. Casey also advises companies on federal and state regulation of pipelines, bulk storage terminals and the supply of fuels.

Ron Tenpas

Ron Tenpas

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Ron Tenpas is one of the country’s preeminent environmental litigators. A former Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Ron represents clients in civil and criminal investigations related to alleged environmental violations, imports and other matters. He also represents companies and trade associations in commenting on proposed regulations and in litigation challenging new regulatory provisions. In counseling clients, Ron draws upon 12 years of experience in the Justice Department. As AAG, a title he held from 2007 until 2009, he managed a 700-person division that included 400 lawyers. He oversaw civil and criminal litigation arising under more than 150 environmental and natural resources laws. In addition, as AAG Ron defended the government when the government was sued in connection with its own use of natural resources. Ron also advised Cabinet and White House officials on policy and litigation risks associated with the environmental laws. Under Ron’s watch, the Justice Department secured what was at the time the largest criminal penalty under the Clean Air Act. Before he was appointed AAG, Ron served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General, as the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Illinois, and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland and the Middle District of Florida. He investigated and tried white-collar matters related to healthcare fraud and public corruption. A Rhodes Scholar and editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review, Ron served as a clerk to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court. Ron’s environmental practice has been recognized by Chambers USA. A source quoted by Chambers said Ron has “a unique combination of being a skilled environmental lawyer and being able to clearly communicate to his clients and develop a path forward” (2019).

William Scherman

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Bill Scherman advises companies on litigation, commercial, regulatory and legislative matters relating to the U.S. and international energy markets. He has litigated high-profile energy investigation and enforcement matters before the FERC and in the federal courts and represents large electric utilities before the FERC and state regulators. During the last several years, he has been heavily involved in very high-profile trials before the FERC involving rate, market power and market manipulation issues. He also utilizes his experience in market power issues in advising companies on mergers and acquisitions.