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, water, transportation, infrastructure, and other development projects. He advises on a full range of transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters, with a particular focus on issues arising under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), state and federal endangered species acts, and other environmental impact assessment laws.
Matt also counsels tribal governments on environmental and land use issues affecting Indian country. He has advised on the successful development of major tribal gaming facilities nationwide, as well as related on- and off-trust infrastructure. He also represents a variety of stakeholders on matters related to the protection of indigenous cultural and historic resources.
In addition, Matt provides strategic advice and regulatory counsel on a variety of emerging issues relating to water, energy, and other climate-related sustainability and adaptation issues.
An experienced litigator, Matt has successfully argued high-stakes matters before D.C. Circuit, the Ninth Circuit, and the California courts. Recent published cases include National Parks Conservation Association v. Semonite, 916 F. 3d 1075 (D.C. Cir. 2019) (NEPA and NHPA challenge to Army Corps projects on Virginia’s James River); Cachil Dehe v. Zinke, 889 F.3d 584 (9th Cir. 2018) (defense of tribal land restoration and resort development); and City of Phoenix v. Huerta, (D.C. Cir. 2017) (challenge to FAA flight procedures under NEPA, the NHPA, and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act) .
Prior to joining the Firm, Matt chaired the U.S. environment and natural resources practice at an international law firm. He serves on the board of San Francisco Heritage, a non-profit dedicated to San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. In 2019, the National Trust for Historic Preservation honored him with the Peter H. Brink Award for individual achievement in the field of historic preservation.
Legal Update: NEPA’s Implementing Regulations Indian Land Tenure Foundation March 2021
Modernizing' the NEPA Process or Returning to the Stone Age? National Association of Environmental Professionals and American Cultural Resources Association November 2020
Legal Issues in Airport Development 36th Annual Airport Law Workshop October 2020
Making the National Environmental Policy Act Work Environmental Law Institute March 2020
NEPA Past, Present, and Future: Litigation Environmental Law Institute December 2019
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