LawFuel – Law Firm NewswireDerek
Austin, Sept. 4, 2007 – Derek Seal, former General Counsel of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has joined Texas law firm Winstead PC. Seal works in the Energy and Environmental Law Practice Group in Winstead’s Austin Office. As the environmental agency of Texas, the TCEQ regulates over 340,000 individuals and entities with a $480.7 million operating budget, and a mission of protecting the state’s human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development.
Seal has served as the TCEQ General Counsel for the last 2 years. Prior to this position, he was Counsel to former TCEQ Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White. Before joining the TCEQ in November 2002, Seal worked in the Texas Legislature in the combined roles of General Counsel for the House Committee on Environmental Regulation, and General Counsel and Chief of Staff for Rep. Warren Chisum, who was the Chairman of that committee.
“We are very excited about Derek joining the Winstead team,” said Alex Gonzales, managing shareholder of Winstead’s Austin office. “One of the goals of the Austin office is to further develop a premier regulatory and government enforcement practice, and Derek’s unique background allows Winstead to solidify its position in this area.”
Derek’s 18 years of experience working with the Texas Legislature and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, combined with his reputable work ethic and character, will bring additional depth and experience to Winstead’s Environmental Law capabilities, especially in the regulatory and legislative areas. With the addition of Al Axe and Keith Courtney to Winstead’s Austin office in March, and Nathan Block to the Houston office in April, Winstead now has a 15-person Environmental Law Section that can address the transactional, litigation, regulatory and legislative needs of business and industry in the environmental area.
Winstead is among the largest business law firms in Texas. Winstead attorneys and consultants serve as the trusted advisors to mid-market and large businesses, providing a core range of legal services that are critical to their operation and success. From its well-known reputation in real estate and financial services to its corporate and high-stakes litigation practice, Winstead has the power to perform for your business. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; and Washington, D.C. For detailed information about Winstead, visit www.winstead.com.
