Nate counsels clients in permitting, regulatory compliance, and litigation under a broad range of federal and state environmental laws – including litigating many Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) cases in federal district and appellate courts.

Nate previously served as a Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center where he represented environmental groups in various environmental litigation in Georgia and the Southeast.

Representative Experience

Counseling and litigating on behalf of governments, environmental groups, outfitters, and others regarding water quality, wetlands, NEPA, RCRA, various environmental matters, and Freedom of Information Act requests:

City of Los Angeles
Represented City of Los Angeles at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in successful challenge to FAA flight procedures at Los Angeles International Airport under National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act.

City of Phoenix
Represented the City of Phoenix at United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in the successful challenge to FAA flight procedures based on failure to comply with environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act.  

City of Chicago
Represented the City of Chicago in a case brought by over 60 property owners seeking damages allegedly caused by noise and vibrations from aircraft using a new runway at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.  Chicago prevailed on summary judgment based on Statute of Limitations grounds.

Environmental Defense Fund
Represented EDF before the federal District Court for the District of Columbia under the Freedom of Information Act resulting in disclosure of public records and successful fee settlement.

City of Northglenn, Colorado
Represented City of Northglenn in successful defense of wastewater treatment permit in state administrative appeal proceeding.

Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Utah
Represented Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance before the federal District Court for the District of Columbia seeking public records from the Department of the Interior under the Freedom of Information Act.  

Dvorak Expeditions v. BLM
Represented outfitter company in appeal of BLM’s cancellation of special recreation permits before the Department of Interior’s Board of Land Appeals including successfully obtaining stay of BLM’s decision and the reissuance of permits.

Representative Clean Water Act Litigation

• Georgia River Network v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng’rs, 517 Fed. Appx. 699 (11th Cir. 2013).  Challenged Corps’ issuance of a Clean Water Section 404 permit for 1000-acre recreational reservoir, including appeal at the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
• Altamaha Riverkeeper v. Rayonier, Inc., No. 2:14-cv-00044-LGW-JEG, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42849 (S.D. Ga. Mar. 31, 2015).  Sued international pulp company alleging violations of pollutant discharge permit under the Clean Water Act.
• Center for a Sustainable Coast v. Army Corps of Engineers, Case No. 4:13-cv-00179-WTM-GRS (S.D. Ga. 2014).  Challenged Corps’ issuance of a programmatic general permit for docks along the Georgia Coast under the Rivers and Harbors Act, NEPA, and Endangered Species Act.
• National Wildlife Federation v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng’rs, No. 1:14-cv-01701-JDB (D.D.C. 2014). Challenged Corps’ issuance of Nationwide Permit 13 for bank stabilization structures under Clean Water Act, NEPA, and Endangered Species Act.
• Altamaha Riverkeeper v. Hutcheson, Case No. 2:11-cv-00100-LGW (S.D. Ga. 2010).  Citizen suit action against private landowner for violation of the Clean Water Act, resulting in settlement with private party and federal and state agencies requiring restoration and permanent protection of 700 acres of coastal wetlands.

Professional and Civic Activities

• Chambers USA, Colorado, Environment – Up and Coming (2021–Present)
• Board Member, Rocky Mountain Wild (2017–Present)
• Board Member, Rivers Alive (2009–2015)
• Board Member, Savannah Riverkeeper (2010–2012)