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
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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