Andrew Knudsen, an accomplished litigator at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Defense Section, has joined McGuireWoods as a partner in Washington, D.C.
Knudsen brings a wealth of experience in high-stakes civil litigation under key environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; and Safe Drinking Water Act.
At the DOJ, he was lead counsel in cases presenting novel issues related to PFAS chemicals, including the defense of EPA drinking water standards and health advisories and nationwide multidistrict litigation seeking CERCLA response cost recovery arising from the use of firefighting foams. He also counseled agencies on the development of proposed and final rules under environmental statutes.
Before joining the DOJ in 2020, Knudsen was an associate at a national law firm, where he counseled clients on environmental compliance and represented them in administrative rulemaking and permit proceedings, federal environmental litigation and civil tort suits involving environmental issues.
“Andrew has an insider’s knowledge of the government’s environmental enforcement priorities and strategies and a deep understanding of the compliance challenges businesses face in an evolving regulatory landscape,” said Noreen Kelly, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing partner for litigation.
McGuireWoods’ nationwide bench of first-chair trial attorneys and former federal prosecutors leverages decades of experience to defend clients in government investigations, litigation and environmental enforcement actions and represent them before Congress, state legislatures and administrative agencies. The firm earned a nationwide ranking in Chambers USA for its capabilities in environmental matters.
“Andrew’s deep experience — in the government and private practice — with federal enforcement actions and environmental issues, including emerging developments like PFAS, strengthens our considerable client service capabilities in regulatory and litigation matters,” said Benjamin L. Hatch, chair of McGuireWoods’ Environmental & Mass Tort Litigation Department.
Knudsen added: “McGuireWoods has a nationally recognized roster of lawyers who are authorities on clean air and water issues, government enforcement practices and environmental rulemaking proceedings. I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career with this tremendous team.”
Knudsen’s arrival in the firm’s fast-growing D.C. office continues an expansion that bolstered practices including antitrust; commercial litigation; energy; government contracts; government investigations and white collar litigation; healthcare; and securities enforcement and regulatory counseling.
“Andrew is a valuable addition to our D.C. team, enhancing our ability to provide robust advocacy and strategic counsel for our clients,” said Elizabeth Hogan, managing partner of the firm’s D.C. office.
