Brandon Rattiner counsels a wide array of clients on regulatory, policy, litigation, and transactional matters related to clean energy and environmental issues. He has extensive knowledge of current rules and emerging regulatory trends in the climate change space.

Brandon represents municipal, industry, and nonprofit leaders at the forefront of the clean energy transition. He advises clients in proceedings before federal and state administrative bodies involving topics like electric resource planning, resource and transmission project approvals, emissions reductions rulemakings, electric vehicle integration, and environmental justice. He helps established and startup businesses respond to ever-changing regulatory requirements and opportunities. He also regularly drafts and negotiates purchase and sale agreements, power purchase agreements, interconnection agreements, and other project-related documents.

Additionally, Brandon is a seasoned advocate. He has represented a variety of businesses and environmental organizations in federal and state court and before different administrative agencies. His broad experience includes protecting national monuments in Utah, defending emissions reductions rules, representing clients in disputes under NEPA and public lands statutes, litigating cleanup and compliance costs under federal environmental statutes, and advising clients in environmental enforcement matters.

Brandon previously served as U.S. Senator Mark Udall’s Denver Metro Area Regional Director and helped lead efforts to protect and increase funding for land conservation during multiple Colorado General Assembly sessions. Drawing on these experiences, Brandon advises clients on sensitive government and public policy issues. He has drafted ballot measures, legislative text, and intergovernmental agreements, and he regularly counsels clients on pending bills and rules. Brandon also acts as general counsel to various special districts and boards, and he has deep expertise in governance issues and laws like TABOR, the Local Government Budget Law of Colorado, the Colorado Open Meetings Law, and the Colorado Open Records Act.

Prior to joining the Firm, Brandon worked as an associate at a large global law firm and clerked for the Honorable Carolyn McHugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. During law school, he interned for the Honorable Patricia Millett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, at the Department of Justice in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and for the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate and Air Program. He also served as an Executive Articles Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.

Representative Experience

• Represented clients in investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the California Air Resources Board
• Represented a policyholder in litigation resolving hurricane damage insurance claims, resulting in a $247 million settlement.
• Advising property developers on regulatory requirements and in negotiating the terms of regulatory orders, agreements, and approvals for environmental cleanup
• Advising clients on environmental risks in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments
• Advising local governments on the creation of special districts and intergovernmental agreements to bolster transit across Colorado
• Representing independent power producer in state PUC proceedings regarding utility electric resource plans 
• Representing a rural cooperative utility in power purchase agreement negotiations for generation, storage, and energy efficiency products
• Advising renewable energy project developers and sponsors on regulatory compliance and in all aspects of project development
• Representing environmental groups and local governments advocating for GHG emissions reductions in multiple rulemakings before state PUCs and the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission
• Representing national non-profit organization in litigation to defend Pennsylvania’s adoption of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regulations 
• Representing conservation and scientific organizations in litigation to protect the size of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument
• Advising environmental groups participating in grid modernization and distributed energy rulemakings before state PUCs
• Advising carbon capture and sequestration startup on compliance with existing and emerging environmental regulations
• Advised an auto manufacturer on applications for certificate of conformity, ABT credits, AECD disclosures, defect reporting, engine labeling, delegated assembly, and other mobile source issues
• Represented civil rights organizations as part of a voter intimidation rapid response team during the 2020 election

Professional and Civic Activities

• Co-Chair of Education & Legislative Affairs Committee, Colorado Jewish Community Relations Council (2012-15, 2022-present)
• Co-Chair of Charles Bronfman Convener Program, Israel Policy Forum (2022-present)
• Executive Energy Leadership Academy Graduate, National Renewable Energy Lab (2013)
• Citizens' Academy Graduate, Denver Regional Council of Governments (2012)
• Member, Colorado Bar Association, Environmental Law and Natural Resources and Energy Section

Awards and Honors

• 1st Place, ABA Public Land and Resources Law Student Writing Competition (2018)
• 3rd Place, ABA Energy Law Student Writing Competition (2018)