WASHINGTON–LAWFUEL – Law News Network -Bracewell & Giuliani LLP announces that Jeff Holmstead, former Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation and one of the nation’s foremost air quality experts, has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington, D.C., office.
Mr. Holmstead, who is returning to private law practice after a year abroad with his family, will head Bracewell’s newly formed Environmental Strategies Group. The new practice group will advise the nation’s top companies and business groups as they grapple with increasingly complex environmental and energy development challenges in the coming years.
“We are so pleased to welcome Jeff Holmstead to Bracewell,” said senior partner Rudolph W. Giuliani. “Jeff’s familiarity with the compliance challenges facing the private sector will be a big asset to our firm.”
“We identified Jeff as the ideal person to lead Bracewell’s environmental veterans as they successfully guide clients through the complex environmental regulatory landscape,” explained Patrick Oxford, Bracewell managing partner.
Mr. Holmstead served at EPA from 2001 to 2005, and headed the Office of Air and Radiation longer than any professional in the agency’s history. During his tenure at EPA, he was the architect of several of the agency’s most important initiatives, including the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Diesel Rule, the Mercury Rule for power plants and the reform of the New Source Review program. He also oversaw the development of the President’s Clear Skies Legislation and key parts of the administration’s Global Climate Change Initiative. Mr. Holmstead also served in the first Bush administration from 1989 to 1993, as Associate Counsel to the President in the White House of President George H.W. Bush. In that capacity, he was involved in the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the key steps taken to implement that act.
“Bracewell offered me a unique opportunity to head up a group that draws on the experience of talented environmental and energy lawyers and strategic communications experts to advise clients on some of their most important issues,” said Mr. Holmstead. “From my experience at EPA, I also know that many of the firm’s clients are looking for constructive and innovative ways to solve environmental problems, and I look forward to working on these efforts.”
In heading up Bracewell’s Environmental Strategies Group, Mr. Holmstead will utilize his expertise in policy development, legislative and administrative advocacy, litigation, and strategic communications to counsel clients on complex environmental issues. Among the most vexing environmental issues facing the business community are climate change policy, Clean Air Act policy and enforcement, and energy policy — including the development of new coal-fired power plants, LNG terminals, nuclear power, renewable energy and the expansion of the electric transmission infrastructure.
Mr. Holmstead graduated from Yale Law School in 1987. He earned his undergraduate degrees from Brigham Young University, graduating first in his class in 1984, with degrees in economics and English.
About Bracewell & Giuliani
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is among the nation’s most prominent law firms. With nearly 400 lawyers in New York, Texas, Washington, D.C., London and Kazakhstan, we are distinctively positioned to serve clients concentrated in the energy and financial services sectors worldwide. In 2005, former New York City mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani joined the firm as a senior partner. His international reputation for leadership and problem solving is a unique asset for our clients, which include Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, leading governmental entities and private individuals. For more information about Bracewell & Giuliani, visit www.bracewellgiuliani.com.
