Kate works closely with clients to help them navigate complex regulations, mitigate risks and address environmental liabilities. She counsels clients operating in a range of industries—including mining, manufacturing, energy, and aviation—to address remediation, permitting, compliance, enforcement and allocation issues arising under a number of federal and state environmental laws.
She has wide-ranging experience representing corporate clients involved in multiparty cleanup sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and related state cleanup laws. From evaluating response actions to negotiating cleanup consent decrees to briefing on cost allocation issues to negotiating natural resource damage settlements to assessing brownfields redevelopment options, Kate has been involved with every potential aspect of a contaminated site.
With an extensive educational background in biology and environmental studies, Kate excels at working closely with clients’ environmental consultants, developing strategies to ensure compliance while reducing liabilities and costs. Her good working relationships with agency lawyers have been key to resolving matters efficiently.
In addition to environmental matters, Kate has also focused her practice on pro bono work, mainly representing clients seeking asylum in the United States. She has worked closely with non-profit organizations such as the Denver Chapter of the International Rescue Committee.
Recognition
Dive into some of the awards, education, and milestones that Kate has achieved.
Masters in Environmental Management
Focused studies on Environmental Economics and Policy
Understanding Clean Water Act Issues
Co-Authored The Clean Water Act Handbook, 3d Ed., Chapter 13: Judicial Review (2011)
Managing Editor
Duke Environmental Law and Policy Forum (DELPF) (2005–2006)
Prior to joining Headwaters Law Group, Kate was Counsel at Perkins Coie LLP in the firm’s Environment, Energy & Resources practice group. Kate earned her A.B. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a Certificate in Environmental Studies from Princeton University, her J.D. from Duke University School of Law, and a Master in Environmental Management (MEM) from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. She is licensed to practice law in Colorado (Washington admission pending).
Under the Surface
We are all people outside of our jobs. Here’s a look into what Kate is like in her off time.
Kate and her family are based in the Denver area and love to travel and spend time outdoors, particularly camping and skiing in nearby Summit County in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. In her free time, Kate enjoys volunteering at the local elementary school and working out. She spends more time than she would like to admit shuttling her children between swim, volleyball, basketball, softball and ice-skating practices.