At the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Justin served as Chief of the Law and Policy Section within the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). As one of ENRD’s most senior career officials, he worked with Senate-confirmed appointees across multiple presidential administrations on all facets of environmental law, high-stakes litigation, and complex regulatory frameworks. Drawing on his distinguished career and government and leadership roles in the environmental bar, Justin helps clients navigate government enforcement actions, citizen suits, rulemakings, and environmental policy shifts.

Since joining Beveridge & Diamond, Justin has represented industry stakeholders in federal environmental litigation challenging the suspension of onshore and offshore wind permitting, helping advance arguments at the intersection of energy development, administrative law, and federal regulatory authority. He has also helped defend companies in a novel Endangered Species Act (ESA) citizen suit seeking to expand ESA liability to consumer product manufacturers based on alleged downstream environmental impacts. In addition, Justin supported efforts to secure preliminary injunctive relief blocking a federal stop-work order affecting a major offshore wind energy project, allowing construction to resume and highlighting the role of federal courts in resolving high-stakes energy infrastructure disputes. He has also provided advice relating to Federal and State climate regulation, and handled high-profile litigation related to liability for cleanup of contaminated sites. 

At DOJ, Justin’s work included high-profile litigation, regulatory compliance, and legislative strategy, as well as the development of strategic enforcement policies on climate-related matters, methane emissions, and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulation. Justin partnered with multiple federal agencies to analyze litigation risks and enforcement issues under statutes like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, ESA, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Justin also led DOJ oversight of citizen suit settlements, reviewing and commenting on on dozens of proposed resolutions and filing numerous amicus briefs addressing related environmental issues. This work gives him a unique understanding of how companies can participate effectively in rulemakings and defend against government or citizen enforcement actions.

Justin has substantial litigation experience, having served as lead ENRD counsel in dozens of high-profile cases across the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate and district courts, and state courts. His portfolio spans constitutional law, administrative law, federal Indian law, and cooperative federalism, as well as disputes involving climate change, pollution, and natural resources. Justin was instrumental in coordinating the federal government’s amicus participation in major environmental cases and has provided oral arguments in numerous appellate and district court matters. His deep understanding of government decision-making processes enables him to effectively advise clients on litigation strategy and settlement negotiations.

Throughout his government career, Justin’s ability to navigate changes in policy and administration transitions allowed him to guide critical environmental and energy decisions while maintaining collaborative relationships with federal agencies, states, and Tribal governments. He is particularly adept at addressing shifts in federal authority, cooperative federalism, and preemption issues, making him a trusted advisor for resolving conflicts between state and federal regulatory frameworks.

Justin also remains active in the environmental bar, serving as Editor-in-Chief of the American Bar Association’s Section of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources’ (ABA SEER) Trends publication, and as a Program Planning Vice-Chair for ABA SEER’s Climate Change committee. His dedication to mentoring attorneys and fostering collaborative workplaces reflects his commitment to professional excellence and public service.