Michael Best Adds Ex-DOJ Attorney to Environmental Resources Practice Group
Michael Best announced that John Sheehan has joined its Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Group as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
Sheehan, who joins from a national firm in Washington, previously served as a senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice in its Environmental and Natural Resources Division for more than 13 years, during which time he also served as a special counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and as a special advisor in EPA’s Office of General Counsel.
“John has more than 30 years of experience in environmental law and corporate litigation – including involvement in some of the most high-profile environmental law cases during that time,” said David Krutz, Michael Best’s Firm Managing Partner. “The combination of his public sector experience at the United States Department of Justice and his private sector experience over the last decade gives him a valuable perspective which will be of great value to clients facing an ever-changing regulatory environment.”
In a news release, the firm said:
Among his cases, Sheehan represented a state government in its lawsuit against BP following the Deepwater Horizon disaster. He regularly counsels municipal and state governments, private corporations, and trade associations in actions brought by environmental regulatory agencies, helping clients navigate complex federal and state regulations.
Sheehan also advises clients in enforcement defense cases and transaction deals under key environmental statutes. He has extensive knowledge of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and Superfund.
“Michael Best’s team of environmental lawyers understands the law and the science of regulations while balancing client needs – and the firm is also well known for strategically guiding clients through the entire business cycle,” Sheehan said. “Those are qualities that will be especially important in the months and years ahead, given the momentous changes and challenges in Washington and evolving environmental concerns around the world.”
Sheehan earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. from Georgetown University. In 1994 and 1997, he was awarded the special achievement award from the U.S. Department of Justice. Sheehan also received a special merit award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of General Counsel in 2001. In Sheehan’s spare time, he volunteers as a youth basketball coach.
