Former EPA Official Stacey Geis Enhances Crowell & Moring's Environmental Practices

In a significant move within the legal and environmental sectors, Stacey Geis has recently joined Crowell & Moring as senior counsel in the firm’s San Francisco office. Her extensive experience as a former deputy assistant administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adds considerable strength to the firm’s Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources as well as its White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement sectors. Geis arrives at Crowell with over 25 years of expertise, having served in various capacities at both federal and state levels, especially concentrating on environmental law and regulatory compliance.

During her tenure at the EPA, Geis played a crucial role in overseeing the 2,800-person Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, where she was instrumental in implementing key policy objectives addressing pressing issues such as climate change and the regulation of harmful substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Moreover, Geis's efforts were pivotal in revitalizing EPA's enforcement and compliance programs across the nation. One of her notable accomplishments includes contributing to the development of the agency's Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy and providing guidance on national enforcement initiatives, further enhanced by her involvement in interpreting Supreme Court rulings that influenced the Clean Water Act.

At Crowell, Geis's focus will be on providing legal counsel on a wide array of environmental and policy matters. This includes assisting clients with compliance, corporate governance issues, and minimizing risk through effective crisis management strategies. Her practice will also encompass advising on compliance and enforcement-related concerns, which are increasingly crucial given the anticipated escalation in state-level enforcement actions concerning environmental regulations in California and beyond.

Kirsten Nathanson, co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Group, stated, “Stacey expands both our California and federal environmental bench strength for incident response, investigations, enforcement defense, and litigation.” Her comprehensive background from federal prosecutions to national enforcement initiatives makes her a valuable asset to the firm’s clients, especially as they navigate complex regulatory landscapes surrounding air, water, and waste management.

Before her time at the EPA, Geis’s career involved significant roles, including her position as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Northern California. Here, she handled major environmental and public safety cases, including those related to catastrophic events like pipeline explosions and large-scale oil spills. Her prosecutorial work extended to holding corporations accountable for regulatory violations, an approach that underscores her commitment to public safety and environmental integrity.

Geis expressed her enthusiasm about joining Crowell, stating, “I have spent my career ensuring that highly regulated companies comply with environmental and public safety laws. I'm eager to contribute my insights to help companies enhance their compliance and address potential risks proactively.” Her educational background includes a law degree from the University of Virginia and a bachelor's degree from Brown University. In addition, Geis has experience clerking for the Honorable Samuel Conti in the Northern District of California.

Crowell & Moring, recognized as a prominent international law firm with a strong presence across the U.S., Europe, MENA, and Asia, remains committed to addressing complex regulatory and legal challenges. Emphasizing innovative solutions based on their substantial government, industry, and legal expertise, the firm is designed to navigate the evolving legal landscape dynamically.

As states ramp up environmental regulatory activity, the addition of professionals with Geis’s background is pivotal for law firms like Crowell & Moring, who strive to deliver effective guidance and support to their clients in a rapidly changing environment. By bolstering their resources, Crowell is positioning itself to meet the increasing challenges and opportunities that arise within the environmental sector, particularly as businesses seek to align their operations with evolving compliance demands.

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