Law Clerk, Hon. Carolyn McHugh, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2021–22 J.D., magna cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center, 2018 B.A., cum laude, Tufts University, 2010
Colorado, 2018 District of Columbia, 2019 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2021
Brandon Rattiner focuses on decarbonization, remediation, and infrastructure issues. His practice includes regulatory, policy, litigation, and transactional work.
Brandon uses his extensive knowledge of current and emerging trends in climate law and technology to help clients in multiple contexts. He represents clients in proceedings 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 advises clients developing greener transit and infrastructure.
Brandon also advises clients on the intersection of environmental, contamination, and land use law. He has helped clients litigate cleanup costs under CERCLA, evaluate legal exposure for threatened releases of hazardous substances under statutory and common law, assess environmental contamination risks in corporate transactions, and remediate and redevelop contaminated properties. He has counseled clients during investigations by DOJ, EPA, and various state regulators like the California Air and Resources Board and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Additionally, he has litigated and advised clients on public lands and NEPA issues.
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.
Energy
Remediation
Other Environmental and Infrastructure