Former DOJ ENRD Section Chief Justin Smith Joins B&D
Beveridge & Diamond proudly announces the arrival of Justin Smith, former Chief of the Law and Policy Section at the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Environment & Natural Resources Division (ENRD), to our Washington, DC office. Justin brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in environmental law, high-stakes litigation, regulatory compliance, and legislative strategy.
"Justin’s unparalleled expertise in navigating complex environmental frameworks, combined with his deep understanding of government decision-making processes, positions him as an invaluable asset to our clients as they face evolving regulatory and litigation challenges," said Firmwide Managing Principal, Marc Goldstein.
At DOJ, Justin served as one of ENRD’s most senior career officials, leading initiatives on climate change, Tribal sovereignty, and natural resource management. He played a pivotal role in crafting legally sound regulatory frameworks and analyzing litigation risks for major federal rulemakings under federal statutes including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and CERCLA. Justin’s leadership extended to coordinating the federal government’s amicus participation in precedent-setting environmental cases and advocating for innovative enforcement remedies.
Among his many accomplishments, Justin was lead ENRD counsel in numerous high-profile cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate courts, and state courts. His expertise spans constitutional and administrative law, cooperative federalism, and issues of preemption and federal-state authority. Justin also advised on critical legislative priorities and transitions across multiple presidential administrations, making him a trusted advisor for navigating regulatory uncertainty.
"Joining Beveridge & Diamond is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a renowned team of environmental lawyers," said Justin. "I look forward to leveraging my experience to help clients address regulatory challenges, resolve disputes, and adapt to the rapidly changing environmental landscape."
