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.
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.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Advise on environmental and natural resource matters arising under the Covenant between the Commonwealth and the United States
Phoenix Flight Paths Counsel for petitioners in successful litigation challenging Federal Aviation Administration changes to flight routes in and around Phoenix
Tribal Resort 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; successfully defended the project against three federal lawsuits
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
Climate Projects Counsel for a range of climate-focused projects and regulatory proceedings, including the first sustainable forestry carbon offset credit project to be developed on tribal land for the California carbon market
Multi-Phase Solar Project Permitting and Endangered Species Act compliance for a Canadian utility’s acquisition, development, and financing of a multi-phase California solar project
National Trust for Historic Preservation and Guam Preservation Trust 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