Drawing on more than 25 years of litigation experience, Stacey H. Mitchell represents clients in complex criminal and civil litigation. She also provides strategic advice to companies on a wide range of environmental regulatory matters, including compliance assistance, project development and climate adaptation.Stacey has particular experience in crisis management, including managing the tensions between business-critical decisions and developing defensive litigation strategy.
Stacey has held senior legal roles in government at the federal level. She served as Deputy General Counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chief of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Environmental Crimes Section (ECS).
She brings a deep understanding of the inner workings of both agencies, applying her insight to help clients mitigate crises and in developing and maintaining robust compliance programs.
Stacey began her legal career in the New York County District Attorney’s office, trying dozens of bench and jury trials, including a “cold case” homicide. She also served as a member of the Sex Crimes and Welfare Fraud Prosecution units.
Experience:
- Leader in firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and reputation recovery work.
- Handles complex criminal and civil litigation.
- Extensive experience in crisis management.
Representative Work:
- At the EPA, advised the Administrator and other senior leadership on legal and policy issues and options, including in the context of the agency’s development of regulations related to water, waste pesticides and toxic substances. This included the agency’s response to oversight by Congress, including in relation to the Clean Water Rule and the Flint, Michigan, water crisis.
- While at the DOJ, ran an office of more than 40 prosecutors handling federal pollution and natural resource criminal matters nationwide. Worked closely with personnel in the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as with officials in the departments of the Interior and Commerce, and the United States Coast Guard.
- Also while at the DOJ, directed national and international crimes training and capacity-building, including leading efforts with INTERPOL and other international organizations combating transnational crime involving the environment and wildlife.
- Defended a senior environmental manager at a global chemical company, resulting in the declination of prosecution.
- Advises clients regarding their environmental regulatory obligations and assists in developing effective, high-quality compliance programs that are fully integrated with their organizations’ business strategy.
- Counseling clients on the potential implications of climate change in the context of long-term business decisions, including in the context of current environmental compliance and reporting obligations.
Affiliations:
- Member, Akin Gump Washington, D.C., Inclusion Council, dedicated to promoting diversity within the firm’s ranks.
- Participant, Associates Committee Mentoring Program.
- Member, Leadership Council, Environmental Law Institute.
- Chair, Akin Gump Women’s Initiative, Washington, D.C. office.
Education:
- J.D., Tulane University Law School, 1994
- A.B., Colby College, 1989
Bar Admissions:
- District of Columbia
- New York
Cost
Rate : $$$