Top Environmental Lawyer Suzanne Murray Joins Haynes and Boone, Bolstering Environmental Practice

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May 21, 2015, 03:32 ET

DALLAS, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Haynes and Boone, LLP is proud to announce that Suzanne Murray, formerly regional counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, is joining the firm as a partner in the Dallas office.

A highly regarded environmental practitioner, Murray has more than 20 years of experience in environmental law and public policy for both the public and private sectors, and is well-versed in addressing compliance with air, water, resource conservation and hazardous waste regulations.

In her position as chief attorney for a staff of 75 lawyers, Murray had direct responsibility for all regulatory and enforcement matters for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. She worked closely with her counterparts in those states and in other regional offices of the EPA as well as with EPA headquarters. The five states in Region 6 contain the largest universe of petrochemical sources in the country, oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities, 67 tribal communities, uranium mining, as well as chemical plants, refineries, manufacturing facilities and terminals.

While at the EPA, Murray was intimately involved in rulemaking under the Clean Air Act, legal advice and guidance for regulatory actions involving all media, direction on judicial and administrative environmental enforcement, emergency response activities, Superfund and Brownfields activities, information law, and criminal prosecution of environmental laws.

Under Murray's leadership the Regional Counsel's office experienced unprecedented success in enforcement of environmental laws resulting in more than one billion pounds in pollution reduction, more than $1 billion in penalties, and extensive community projects. In the most complex and diverse environmental infrastructure in the country, Murray consistently delivered high performance – producing more than 20 percent of the Agency's results while utilizing only eight percent of its resources.

"We know our clients are facing continuously more challenging regulatory hurdles," said Haynes and Boone Managing Partner Tim Powers. "Suzanne brings a terrific set of skills and a deep knowledge of the multitude of environmental regulatory issues our varied client base encounters every day."

"Throughout her extensive career, Suzanne has been consistently effective in finding practical solutions to difficult legal and policy issues with national implications," added Mary S. Mendoza, head of the firm's Environmental Practice Group. "The added dimension of her insight and experience is a valuable asset for our clients in anticipating and addressing EPA regulatory initiatives. Suzanne is a great fit and we are excited to welcome such a powerhouse to the team."

Prior to her tenure with the EPA, Murray held posts at American International Group, Inc. (AIG) and Rosenman & Collin LLC. She received her B.A. from Trinity University in 1990 and her J.D. from University of New Mexico School of Law in 1994.

The Haynes and Boone Environmental Practice Group counsels clients on regulatory requirements relating to ongoing operations, as well as those associated with the construction of new facilities and modifications of existing facilities. Our lawyers monitor and provide input to pertinent agency rulemaking and policy development, as well as help clients in developing and applying environmental policies and management programs.

In transactions, our environmental lawyers work closely with clients and their other professional advisors to devise innovative methods to streamline due diligence procedures, to identify environmental risks, including risks related to climate change, and to devise creative and cost-effective ways to manage and insure against those risks. Our environmental lawyers also represent clients in all types of environmental litigation, including criminal as well as civil and administrative enforcement actions, citizen enforcement actions, and administrative appeals and rulemaking.

Firm clients range from mid-sized regional businesses to large global Fortune 50 businesses, and we have even helped state and federal agencies on high profile projects. We know how to help close deals, negotiate with government agencies and litigate for our clients. Our reputation before regulatory agencies in particular as well as the environmental community in general is based on the quality of our work, our credibility, our professional contributions to the practice of environmental law, and the caliber of the clients we represent.

About Haynes and Boone
Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Shanghai and Mexico City, providing a full spectrum of legal services in technology, financial services, energy and private equity. With more than 550 attorneys, Haynes and Boone is ranked among the largest law firms in the nation by The National Law Journal. In 2014 the firm was named the Best National Firm for Diversity in North America in the Americas Women in Business Law Awards.