Project Development

In today's regulatory climate, project development is no longer simply a matter of obtaining permits. Proposed projects face significant challenges on multiple fronts, ranging from how complex federal, state and local laws apply, to coordinating with regulatory agencies, working with the public and communities to address concerns, minimizing litigation risk, and, where necessary, defending against lawsuits. Perkins Coie has the experience and capability to assist project developers in confronting all of these challenges. Our success in doing so is shown by our successful track record managing a variety of projects for mining, oil and gas exploration and development, water supply and delivery, highways, energy production and transmission, real estate, renewable energy, telecommunications, forest products development, tribal economic development, manufacturing, and tourism and recreation. We excel in moving the most complex, contentious projects through the rigors of permitting and on to a successful start-up.

We are national leaders in a number of areas critical to the successful representation of projects. Our experience lies not only in providing strategic advice and representation to achieve timely and cost-effective compliance with regulatory decision-makers, but also in building relationships to minimize the cost and risk of litigation. Our legal strategy places a high priority on avoiding legal challenges. For example, we regularly counsel clients on NEPA and the steps they can take to build defensible EISs and EAs. Our clients look to us to develop strategies to comply with the Endangered Species Act and other wildlife laws. As climate change-related challenges are increasingly directed at individual projects, we develop effective, practical advice that will help position projects to meet the challenges of this emerging area of law. We draw upon the experience of our group as a whole to provide projects with the practical advice and strategies to keep them on schedule while working to identify future risks at early stages. We also have the experience and capability to provide the strongest possible advocacy and litigation defense. We have successfully defended many major development projects in court.

In addition to our "on-the-ground" experience and track record, Perkins Coie attorneys are recognized leaders in the fields of law that govern project development. Our lawyers bring diversity and a broad base of knowledge to the table. They teach at leading law schools, lecture to government and trade groups around the country, lead efforts to address cutting-edge environmental and natural resource-related issues, and occupy leadership positions in national legal and trade associations. In addition, we have spearheaded national efforts for trade associations on proposed regulatory initiatives.

With more than 45 attorneys, our Environment and Natural Resources practice has the ability to address the full spectrum of issues facing a project. We function as a national, unified group and marshal the resources necessary to advance our clients' interests in moving forward to meet scheduling and economic objectives. Unlike firms that are concentrated in a single location far removed from a project, we have offices in many locations around the country, with a particular focus in the West and Alaska. Our attorneys regularly work with key government officials at the regional level, as well as with the federal agencies and congressional committees in Washington, D.C. that oversee the work of regional staff. We know the communities and the politics that affect project development and are well-equipped to handle every legal need associated with project development in an efficient and cost-effective manner to ensure our client's proposal has the best prospect for success.