Special Expertise in Energy Utility, Renewable Energy, and Mining
McDonald Carano’s Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Practice Group provides legal services, as well as government affairs and legislative advocacy assistance, relating to environmental law, natural resources law, public lands, and land use, particularly in the areas of utilities, water, mining, and clean energy transition and renewable energy including solar power and wind power. The practice covers all significant federal and Nevada state environmental laws and natural resources laws, along with the full spectrum of the energy regulatory, energy utility, and energy policy landscape. The Chair of our practice group is also the Chair of the Energy, Utilities, and Communication Section of the Nevada State Bar.
Our teamprovides expertise in compliance counseling, administrative proceedings, regulatory approvals, enforcement actions, business transactions, and litigation services on a comprehensive range of projects that includes public and private infrastructure, commercial developments, master-planned residential communities, industrial and manufacturing facilities, energy/power generation, and economic development projects. Our team is highly sought after for its unique combination of knowledge in both the law and local governance of Nevada. We track legal and regulatory developments of natural resources, energy, and environmental law at the regional, state and national levels, and advise on agency rulemaking and legislation for clients such as trade associations, landowners, project developers, and corporations.
Our energy litigation team has significant experience representing many of the business entities that are the largest energy users in Nevada in general rate cases and other contested proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission. The practice extends to environmental permitting due diligence for renewable energy projects and general environmental compliance matters. We also represent developers and tax equity investors in connection with project development, permitting, and finance of renewable energy projects throughout Nevada. For example, since 2017, McDonald Carano has served as construction and finance counsel for over half of the major renewable energy projects in Nevada.
Our McDonald Carano team has hands-on experience in both government and business and possesses the scientific and technical training needed to offer comprehensive advice to energy, environment and natural resource clients. Our team identifies legally compliant, efficient strategies that achieve the commercial objectives of each client whether the projects involve regulations relating to environmental laws, natural resources laws, water laws, mining laws, wind and solar power laws, or energy utility laws.
The realm of energy, environment and natural resources laws change constantly. Economic and political forces heavily influence this sector, and laws and regulations often differ at the local, national and international levels. As counsel and advocate, McDonald Carano attorneys and government affairs and legislative lobbyists guide clients through the ever-evolving legal, financial, business, and political aspects of this dynamic field. We fully understand the significance of natural resources,and energy, and environmental law in the western United States, and we are skilled in helping our clients navigate their challenges and opportunities.
Our reputation and track record of proven results is underscored by many practice group team members being included in The Best Lawyers in America and the Practice Group is ranked in the highest Band 1 category in Chambers USA and the highest Tier 1 category in The Best Law Firms in America. McDonald Carano is the only Nevada-headquartered firm that Chambers ranks Band 1 in Environmental Law in Nevada. The co-chair of the practice is one of only two lawyers recognized in Vegas Inc’s“Top Lawyers in Southern Nevada” in Environmental & Natural Resources Law.
While conducting its research on McDonald Carano, Chambers USA received the following comments from our clients.
“The team at McDonald Carano shows great attention to detail, responsiveness, and substantive knowledge. It’s a highly skilled team which is responsive and communicative under time pressure.” “They are experts on federal and tribal land laws and permitting restraints in Nevada.” “Their team combined deep subject-matter expertise in water law with great writing and advocacy.” (Chambers USA, 2023)
“McDonald Carano’s lawyers are knowledgeable regarding matters occurring in the community.” (Chambers USA, 2022)
“The legal services of McDonald Carano are knowledgeable, timely and cost-efficient. They have the relationships with and respect of the regulatory community.” (Chambers USA, 2021)
“The firm is well versed in the subject matter and handles engagements very efficiently.” (Chambers USA, 2020)
“The team’s knowledge is tremendous, as are the attorneys’ communication skills and their sincere ability to find a solution favorable to all parties where possible.” (Chambers USA, 2019)
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business awarded prestigious rankings to the following five Practice Groups in our Reno and Las Vegas offices – Commercial Litigation,…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 17 of our attorneys are recognized as “Top Rank Attorneys” in Nevada Business Magazine’s 2023 list of the State’s top attorneys as voted by their…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that more than half of our Partners, Of Counsel, and Senior Counsel have received the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ for achieving “the highest level…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 11 women lawyers from eight Practice Groups in our Reno and Las Vegas offices have been recognized in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in…
McDonald Carano partner Robert McPeak shares his personal experiences in a Q&A featured in the “Pay It Forward” series published by Globest.com and “How I Made Partner” series published by…
McDonald Carano is an annual Presidential Gold sponsor of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. Our long-term involvement in EDAWN is led by Matt Addison, Managing Partner of our…
McDonald Carano congratulates Robert McPeak on receiving recognition in four legal profession ranking publications – Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Vegas Inc. Top Lawyers in Southern Nevada, and…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Robert McPeak was selected as one of only 25 lawyers from across the country and the only lawyer in Nevada to be included in The…
McDonald Carano congratulates Sylvia Harrison on her 18th year of receiving a prestigious ranking in Environmental Law from Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Chambers ranks lawyers who are…
McDonald Carano congratulates 10 attorneys in our Las Vegas office who are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the Vegas Inc./Las Vegas Weekly 2022 list of the “best in our community…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that five of our Practice Groups received prestigious rankings in the Nevada section of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2022. The Nevada section evaluated…
McDonald Carano proudly announces having the most attorneys recognized in Nevada Business Magazine’s “Top Rank Attorneys” list for 2022, including four “Best Up & Coming Attorneys.” For the past 15…
McDonald Carano proudly announces earning recertification in Meritas, the leading global alliance of independent full-service business law firms. McDonald Carano joined Meritas in 1990 as a founding member and we…
Mechanical Equipment + Defensible Space Fighting the dangerous, destructive and wind-driven Caldor Fire in the Lake Tahoe Basin in 2021 was a story about the success of what is known…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 17 Practice Groups in our Reno and Las Vegas offices have received the prestigious “Tier 1” ranking in the 2022 edition of the “Best Law…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that seven lawyers in our Reno and Las Vegas offices received “Lawyer of the Year” awards in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Over…
The dangerous and destructive wind-driven Caldor Fire started on August 14, 2021, forced the closure of and crossed Highway 50, required evacuation orders in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and generated…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 11 women lawyers from nine Practice Groups in our Reno and Las Vegas offices have been recognized in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 37 of our lawyers have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the leading peer-review…
Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, but all year long McDonald Carano honors the women who lead our practices, provide excellent service to our clients, and assure the professional…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Chambers USA 2021 ranked three of our practices in the most highly regarded Band 1 category – Business Entities & Transactions, Commercial & Complex Litigation,…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Chambers USA 2021 ranked our Environment & Natural Resources Law Practice in the highly regarded Band 1 category, which is Chambers’ most prestigious recognition of…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that five of our attorneys received the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” award in their geographic region and specialty area of practice from The Best Lawyers…
May 28, 2021 – McDonald Carano is pleased to announce that Chambers has again recognized numerous McDonald Carano Practice Groups and individual lawyers in its Chambers USA Guide 2021. Chambers…
May 12, 2021 (Las Vegas) – McDonald Carano is pleased to announce that Tara Teegarden has joined the firm as an Associate in the Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice Group. …
July 9, 2020 – McDonald Carano is pleased to announce Chambers has again listed the Firm as a highly ranked law firm in both the Chambers USA and Chambers High…
February 1, 2020, Retail Association of Nevada– Many studies are mandated by the Nevada Legislature each session. Very few are packed with as bold of policies as the ones outlined…
November 1, 2019, McDonald Carano, Nevada’s law firm for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, is pleased to announce the firm has been named one of the country’s “Best Law Firms” in…
April 29, 2019 – Chambers USA, one of the leading legal ratings agencies in the United States, has released its 2019 rankings. McDonald Carano again ranks as one of the…
January 8, 2019, Las Vegas, NV – McDonald Carano, Nevada’s law firm for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, is pleased to announce that Lucas M. Foletta and Lisa Wiltshire Alstead have…
November 1, 2018, Las Vegas, NV – McDonald Carano, Nevada’s law firm for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, is pleased to announce the firm has been named one of the country’s…
September 7, 2018, The Nevada Independent, by Riley Snyder — Yet another major casino has filed to leave NV Energy, the state’s primary electric utility, and purchase power on the…
July 6, 2018, The Nevada Independent, By Riley Snyder Nevada energy regulators are pumping the brakes on a complex tax withholding system used by NV Energy amid charges from critics…
May 22, 2018 Reno, NV – McDonald Carano is pleased to announce that President Donald J. Trump has appointed McDonald Carano Senior Counsel A.J. “Bud” Hicks to the Governing Board of…
CarsonNOW.org, May 17, 1981 STATELINE — U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed A.J. “Bud” Hicks to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board. Hicks, a resident of Reno since 1957,…
Nevada Newsmakers, March 1, 2018 Sam Shad interviews Susan Fisher regarding Question 3 – The Energy Choice Initiative. If this passes, electricity monopolies would be abolished, and a competitive retail market would…
The Water Report, February 15, 2018 In the desert southwest, where we practice energy and environmental law, fights involving water are usually about not having enough of it. After all,…
The Nevada Independent By Riley Snyder on Jan 17, 2018 Nevadans could soon see another reduction in their power bills, thanks to the recently passed tax legislation approved by Republicans…
McDonald Carano announced today that Richard M. Trachok II has joined the Firm as Senior Counsel. He brings with him extensive experience in energy and alternative energy, telecommunications and utilities, gaming and…
In the last three years, no legal or policy area in Nevada has seen more consequential change than energy. Since 2014, we have seen a wave of large customers (1…
Las Vegas, NV – Chambers USA, one of the leading legal ratings agencies in the United States, has released its 2017 rankings. McDonald Carano once again received high honors, maintaining…
Photo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series on water laws. Extreme climatic perturbations across the globe have created both record-breaking droughts…
Our Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Law Group
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