He advises clients on Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permitting, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance, and Endangered Species Act (ESA) risk management, while coordinating with consultants, engineers, and agencies to develop strategic, defensible approaches for large-scale projects, including energy and data center developments. Taylor regularly prepares environmental risk assessments, memoranda, and strategic guidance on project sequencing, jurisdictional determinations, and enforcement exposure, and evolving regulatory frameworks impacting environmental and energy projects. He also advises clients on federal contracting strategies and legal compliance.

Taylor also maintains an active litigation practice, representing clients in a range of environmental and administrative matters. His experience includes leading trial teams, arguing dispositive motions, managing discovery, developing mediation and settlement strategies, as well as negotiating settlement agreements.

Before joining Beveridge & Diamond, Taylor served in various high-profile legal roles within the U.S. government, most recently as Deputy General Counsel, Environment, Energy, & Installations, for the Department of Defense (DoD). In this role, Taylor was the senior legal advisor on all energy, environmental, and installation-related issues. He managed a team that provided critical advice to senior DoD officials on environmental cleanup, litigation, climate and sustainability efforts, renewable energy procurement, and DoD grant programs. Notably, he led DoD teams in negotiations with federal and state enforcement agencies on high-profile matters, including on an EPA consent order following the 2021 petroleum release at the Hawaii Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. He also served as Counsel to the Secretary of Defense’s per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Task Force, which led DoD-wide efforts to address PFAS on and around DoD installations. Taylor’s experience extends to carbon-free electricity power purchase agreements and working with the U.S. Department of the Interior and project proponents on siting and permitting offshore wind projects in and around military training areas.

Taylor also served as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), overseeing policy for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works program, including major infrastructure, water resources, and key flood control projects; several high-profile energy permitting projects; and high-profile litigation involving USACE.

Earlier in his career, Taylor was a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice Environment & Natural Resources Division, where he defended federal agency clients in NEPA, Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and Fifth Amendment takings litigation.

Taylor’s public service career also includes serving as Special Counsel to the Department of the Navy Office of General Counsel and as Deputy Associate Counsel in the Obama White House. Taylor began his legal career in private practice and remains active in his community,  serving on the board of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Outside of work, he enjoys songwriting and recording music.