J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2003 M.A., City Planning, University of California, Berkeley, 2003 M.A., Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, 1999 B.A., Northwestern University, 1998
California U.S. Courts of Appeal for the D.C. and Ninth Circuits U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Matt Adams helps clients address environmental issues related to energy, transportation, infrastructure, and natural resource development projects. He advises on a full range of transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters, with a specialized focus on issues arising under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other environmental impact assessment laws.
An experienced litigator, Matt has successfully argued matters of first impression before the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (NEPA, NHPA) and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (NEPA, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act).
Matt regularly counsels tribal governments and tribally owned businesses on environmental and land use issues affecting Indian country. He also advises a variety of stakeholders on matters related to the protection of indigenous cultural and historic resources.
Prior to joining the Firm, Matt served as chair of the U.S. environment and natural resources practice at an international law firm.
James River Litigation Lead counsel in successful NEPA and NHPA litigation arising from Army Corps of Engineers projects on Virginia’s James River. The case involved two matters of first impression in the DC Circuit, including the first successful NHPA Section 110(f) claim in the 40-year history of the statute.
Phoenix Flight Path Litigation Counsel for petitioners in successful NEPA, NHPA, and Section 4(f) litigation challenging Federal Aviation Administration changes to flight paths in and around Phoenix. The case was the first successful challenge to FAA flight procedures based on non-compliance with environmental review laws.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Advise the Commonwealth government on environmental and natural resource matters arising under its Covenant with the United States, including negotiations with the Defense Department regarding the environmental impacts of military training exercises.
Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe Land Restoration and Development Environmental review, regulatory approvals, and litigation defense for a Northern California tribal resort development which restores land taken improperly from the tribe in the 1960s for the construction of Oroville Dam; Successfully defended the project against three federal lawsuits raising claims under NEPA, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the Indian Reorganization Act.
Wind Project Development Environmental review, permitting, and litigation defense for the developer of a 315 MW wind project located on land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management; completed all state and federal environmental review and permitting processes in 18 months, allowing the client to meet key financing deadlines
Forestry Offset Projects Counsel for a range of offset projects and related regulatory proceedings, including the first sustainable forestry offset credit project to be developed on tribal lands for the California compliance market.
Guam Firing Ranges Successful NEPA and CZMA litigation securing the protection of Chamorro Traditional Cultural Properties in the U.S. territory of Guam
Trump Administration Continues to Overhaul Climate Change Regulations Energy Law Report November 2018
Making the National Environmental Policy Act Process Work Environmental Law Institute 03.22.18
Defense Policy and Cultural Resource Protection in the Western Pacific National Trust for Historic Preservation 06.13.17
Successfully Navigating the NEPA Process Environmental Law Institute 03.16.17
Impact of the New Administration on National Offshore Wind Strategy: Three Things to Watch Renewable Energy World 03.02.17
Pacific Outpost Civil Beat 12.12.16
Worldview National Public Radio 12.22.15
Traditional Cultural Properties and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act National Trust for Historic Preservation 02.25.15