Provide government relations and legal representation and counseling to clients in a variety of diciplines, including environmental, natural resources, energy, internet, trade and appropriations. Negotiate with, consult and advise federal policymakers on behalf of clients before an assortment of federal agencies including the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Represented clients before the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

• Executive branch affairs

• Federal and state legislative analysis, drafting and lobbying

• Project management and strategic counseling

• Coalition management and direction

Currently serving as Policy Advisor to United States Senator Mike Crapo on Endangered Species Act Legislation after introduction and referral to the Senate Finance Committee.

PARTNER, PERKINS COIE LLP, Washington, D.C. 1998-2005

Two national energy companies were refused permits to construct geothermal energy production facilities on mineral patents leased from the federal government.  When brought into the case, the companies were in litigation over the refusal of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to issue permits.  Worked with both Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior to reverse their decisions after analyzing the patents, records of decision and the likelihood of prevailing on the merits.  Following negotiations with the Department of Justice, Civil Division, the desired permits were issued.

Following the repair of an energy producing gas-fired turbine, a northwest energy company sought assistance in addressing EPA’s "new source review" requirements.  Negotiated a mutually amicable agreement between the client and the EPA in record time relieving the client from payment of accrued penalties.  The client’s needs were fulfilled prior to publication of the Administration’s "Clear Skies Initiative."

After almost thirty years of disagreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service, W.H. Fawcett LLC was retained by a major San Francisco Bay area city to handle the development of a National Wildlife Refuge. Following scoping interviews with local Bay area environmentalists and other community stakeholders, an innovative City Plan was proposed that was adopted in its entirety by the Fish and Wildlife Service in their environmental impact statement on the National Wildlife Refuge plan.

Utilized Appropriations Committee Bills to protect a regional mining company’s Midwest operations, secured funding for a major Northwest city’s transportation plan, and directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to report to Congress on the Endangered Species Act.

Expanded a one-person branch office of Perkins Coie LLP,  in Boise, Idaho.  Conducted interviews and recommended individuals for retention.  Contacted CEO’s and corporate counsel of Fortune 500 companies headquartered regionally and sought their advice on the nature of legal services needed in that market.  Identified and interviewed top-flight legal/management personnel. A successful business-oriented Perkins Coie office is now a rapidly growing law firm in Boise, Idaho.

President George Bush, Transition Advisory Committee, Department of Interior, 2001.

Governor-elect Dirk Kempthorne, Transition Team, Sub-committee on Natural Resources and the Environment, Chairman, 1998.

• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, S.1 (Principal negotiator, drafter and staff conference chairman on legislation limiting the authority of the federal government to impose federal unfunded mandates on States. Signed into law by the President, March 22, 1995.)

• Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996, S. 1316 (Principal negotiator, drafter, and Senator Kempthorne’s team leader. Signed into law by the President, August 6, 1996)

• Endangered Species Recovery Act of 1997, S.1180 (Principal negotiator, drafter, and Senator Kempthorne’s team leader of bipartisan legislation to improve the Endangered Species Act.  Bill reported out by Environment and Public Works Committee.)

• Development of a wide-range of policy and strategic initiatives on a widely diverse basis of issues as Legislative Director for a United States Senator.

1985 - 1993 – Boise City Attorney, Boise, Idaho - Represented city departments in diverse practice, including criminal prosecutions, labor negotiations, contracts, planning, zoning and development, finance, defense of claims, and federal regulatory compliance.  Developed legal framework for revitalization of Boise City, including comprehensive planning, property acquisition and legislative initiatives.  Managed an office of 21 employees, including 13 attorneys and support staff and prepared and administered annual departmental budget.  President of the Idaho Association of City Attorneys.  State President, National Institute of Municipal Legal Officers.

1982 - 1985 - Deputy City Attorney - Managed civil legal operations and supervised civil legal staff.  Practice included planning, zoning and development and federal regulatory compliance.

1980 - 1982 -Assistant City Attorney - Criminal prosecutions for Boise City in jury (33 and 1) and bench (246) trials.

"Pinchot: Cause and Effect," an analysis of "adverse modification" under the Endangered Species Act (May, 2005).

"Water Diversions And Conveyances Under The Clean Water Act", prepared for Western Urban Water Coalition, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.

National Water Resources Association (January 2005).

"Federal Legislative Process," Georgetown University (March 2002).

"Federal Legislation Reforming Internet Privacy," Internet Law Section, Practicing Law Institute (July 2001).

"A Life Cycle Solution For Salmon, Saving a Pacific Northwest Heritage" (March 1999).

"S.1180: Prospects for Reform and Its Impact on Colorado Water," Colorado Water Congress (November 1998).

"An Overview of the Endangered Species Act," Urban Land Institute (May 1997).

"Organizing Effective Lobbying in Washington, D.C.," Urban Land Institute (May 1997).

"Endangered Species Act Reform and Water Rights," National Water Resources Association (April 1997).

"Endangered Species Reform in the 104th Congress," National Association of Homebuilders (March 1997).

"Challenges to the Northwest in Resource Development," Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (March 1997).

"Agriculture and the Endangered Species Act," Idaho Farm Bureau (February 1997).

"Implications for the Electric Industry of Endangered Species Reform," Edison Electric Institute (January 1997).

"The Environmental Agenda and the Endangered Species Act," Intermountain Forest Industries Association (December 1996).

"An Overview of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act," National Conference of State Legislatures (July 1995).

"The Congressional Environmental Agenda," National Governors Association (May 1995).

"Federalism: Looking to the Courts," National Institute for Municipal Legal Officers (April 1994).