Andrea Driggs Partner

Andrea Driggs represents industrial, commercial, and municipal clients on environmental litigation and regulatory matters. These focus on mining, renewables, groundwater contamination, complex infrastructure siting, and remediation of contaminated sites. Andrea is licensed to practice in Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico, enabling her to assist clients with cross-jurisdictional issues.

Mining. Andrea assists clients in obtaining and litigating key permits, including water quality permits, and regularly conducts due diligence for large mining transactions. She advises clients on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for exploration and mine plans of operation, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) review, and other use authorizations. Andrea also provides guidance on related matters, including royalties, water rights, compliance, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) liability.

Renewables. Andrea works with renewable developers to obtain essential permits for solar, wind, and battery storage projects, including Certificates of Environmental Compatibility from Arizona’s Corporation Commission. For example, she represented clients constructing Arizona’s largest standalone battery storage project, helping to stabilize the electrical grid. She frequently conducts due diligence for projects and is experienced in matters ranging from site control and lease reviews to decommissioning.

Regulatory/Litigation. Andrea advises clients on a range of issues associated with regulatory compliance and permitting, from prelitigation investigations and negotiations through administrative procedures and appeals. She regularly collaborates with clients to resolve issues arising under a range of state and federal environmental laws (Clean Water Act, NEPA, CERCLA, Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), NHPA, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Mining Law of 1872, etc.), in addition to regulatory compliance issues related to emerging contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Andrea holds a master’s degree in environmental epidemiology and policy from the University of London, which she completed as a Marshall scholar. She focused her master’s project on air pollution. Before attending law school at UCLA, Andrea worked as an epidemiologist for Los Angeles County.