Professional Biography
Image of Karen McGaffey

Karen M. McGaffey Of Counsel

Firmwide Lead, Energy Law

  • Seattle

    D +1.206.359.6368

    F +1.206.359.7368

    Seattle

    1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4900

    Seattle, WA 98101-3099

    +1.206.359.6368

    KMcGaffey@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Karen McGaffey has more than 30 years of experience practicing environmental law. Karen assists clients with project development and permitting of a wide variety of infrastructure projects. She counsels clients on compliance and regulatory matters under federal and state environmental laws and advises them on the environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions. She also represents clients in environmental litigation, including citizen suits, government enforcement actions, and lawsuits challenging permits and regulatory developments.

Karen is one of the firmwide leaders of the Energy industry group. With an emphasis on project development and facility siting, Karen counsels clients on the development of all types of energy facilities, including wind, solar, hydrogen, renewable fuels, natural gas power plants, wood-fired cogeneration facilities, electricity storage, transmission lines,and pipelines.

Karen regularly advises clients on strategic business and policy matters concerning energy facility siting, renewable energy, climate change, carbon reduction, and other environment, social, and governance (ESG) issues. For many years, she has taught the Environmental Law Institute course on climate law.

Ranked by Chambers USA 14 Years in a Row

Environment

Professional Recognition

  • Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers
  • Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer" for Environment, 2010 – present
  • Best Lawyers in America: Energy Law; Environmental Law; Litigation - Environmental; Natural Resources Law, 2010 – present
  • Washington's Super Lawyers, 2012 – present

Professional Leadership

  • Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Executive Scholar Certificate, 2022
  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Renewable Energy Committee, Chair, 2023 – 2024; Member, 2021 – present
  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Trustee 2022 – present
  • Perkins Coie Management and Executive Committees, 2011 – 2016
  • Perkins Coie, Environment, Energy & Resources Firmwide Chair, 2016 – 2023
  • American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, Committee on Water Quality, Vice Chair, 1997 – 2006

  • Northwest Women’s Law Center, Board of Directors, 1995 – 2001; President 1998 – 1999 

Related Employment

  • Bogle & Gates P.L.L.C., Seattle, WA, Member, 1997 – 1999; Associate, 1990 – 1997

Clerkships

  • Hon. George Lohr, Supreme Court of Colorado, 1989 - 1990

Experience

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RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington
  • Colorado
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1989, Editor and Developments Office Chair, Harvard Law Review
  • University of Cambridge, Queens College, Philosophy, 1985 – 1986
  • Dartmouth College, A.B., Philosophy, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1985