Karen M. Hansen’s environmental law practice spans a variety of regulatory programs including water quality and use, contaminated property redevelopment, oceans law, OSHA, and corporate-wide compliance auditing under EPA and state audit policies. Ms. Hansen counsels clients on emerging trends in water quality programs, including initiatives such as watershed-based permitting, TMDLs, trading and allocation, and land-based impacts on coastal and ocean resources. She has extensive experience assisting clients with implementing environmental management systems, including disclosure and corrective action strategies for self-identified noncompliance, and representing clients on inspection and enforcement matters covering a variety of environmental and worker safety programs. Ms. Hansen has practiced in Washington, D.C. and in Minnesota, and was voted by peers as one of two environmental lawyers named as "Top Women Attorneys of Minnesota."
In addition to serving as a frequent speaker and planner for a variety of environmental law and policy programs, Ms. Hansen has served in elected and appointed roles on numerous state bar and American Bar Association committees and task forces. Ms. Hansen serves on the firm's Management Committee, Co-Chairs the Water Law Practice, and Chairs the Diversity Committee.
Ms. Hansen received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of The Review of Litigation, and her undergraduate degree in Business and Economics from Trinity University (B.A., cum laude). Ms. Hansen has received Certificates in Executive and Transformational Leadership at the Georgetown University Center for Professional Development.
Ms. Hansen is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Minnesota State Bar and the State Bar of Texas.