Laura Smith Morton
- Washington, D.C.
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Laura advises clients at all stages of energy infrastructure project development on strategies to navigate federal government policy and practices and compliance with complex regulatory requirements.
Laura Morton counsels energy companies and utilities pursuing the development of major onshore and offshore infrastructure projects, with a focus on federal environmental review, permitting, and natural resources. Laura’s clients seek her advice based on her deep regulatory knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of federal agency policy and practices following her almost decade of government service across multiple agencies. She also leverages her industry and federal agency experience to counsel utilities and energy technology and manufacturing companies on strategies to navigate agency policy priorities and compliance requirements for multimillion-dollar funding and financing.
Laura previously served as the senior director for offshore wind at American Clean Power (ACP), the leading renewable energy industry trade association in the United States. Prior to joining ACP, Laura served as acting deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she worked on a range of issues spanning water resources and data, fisheries, aquaculture, and infrastructure permitting.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- The George Washington University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1994
- London School of Economics and Political Science, M.Sc., European Studies, 1989
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., International Studies, Highest Honors; Morehead Scholar, 1988
Bar and Court Admissions
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District of Columbia
Related Employment
- American Clean Power Association, Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Offshore, 2019-2021
- Independent Consultant, 2017-2019
- U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Administrator, 2015-2017
- U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, Senior Advisor to the Director, 2014-2015
- Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Policy Advisor; Council on Environmental Quality, Deputy Associate Director for Energy and Climate Change, 2012-2014
- U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Secretary; Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Senior Advisor, Renewable Energy and Transmission, 2010-2012
- Fulbright & Jaworski, Senior Counsel, 2000-2010
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Senior Litigation and Appellate Counsel, 1995-2000
Clerkships
- Hon. Susan H. Black, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Professional Recognition
Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law, 2022-2025
Secretary's Achievement Award, Issued by Secretary of Energy, September 2016
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Professorial Lecturer at Law, George Washington University School of Law (adjunct faculty)
- Ocean Studies Board, National Academies of Science, Member
