McGuireWoods partners Gregory Hinojosa Evans, Aaron Flynn, Makram Jaber and Allison Wood were recognized in the 2024 edition of “Lawdragon Green 500: Leading Environmental Lawyers.” It is the third time Lawdragon has honored the McGuireWoods quartet among the nation’s go-to lawyers for environmental law matters.
Evans was honored for environmental litigation. He is recognized nationally as a top trial attorney who excels in difficult, novel and important environmental cases. His notable accomplishments include serving as first-chair trial counsel in Asarco v. Atlantic Richfield Co., winning a CERCLA judgment for copper mining giant Asarco in a $200 million groundwater cleanup at a Montana Superfund site. In 2022, U.S. Rep. Adam B. Schiff nominated Evans to serve on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee, which advises the EPA administrator on issues affecting children’s health. Evans — co-leader of McGuireWoods’ environmental litigation practice group — has received numerous awards, including recognition from Law360 as an MVP for environmental litigation and from The National Law Journal as an Energy & Environmental Trailblazer and Winning Litigator.
Lawdragon honored Flynn for environmental law, particularly matters related to air quality. He represents utilities, national trade associations, oil and gas companies, and manufacturers on major environmental litigation and regulatory matters. He also resolves complex regulatory issues before the EPA, at the White House and through his litigation experience across the country. Flynn focuses on reducing and managing clients’ regulatory burdens and liabilities under federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act. In 2023, Lawdragon honored him on its list of “500 Leading Energy Lawyers.”
Jaber, co-leader of McGuireWoods’ environmental enforcement and regulatory counseling practice group, earned recognition for environmental litigation, especially air quality matters. A former engineer with more than 20 years of legal experience, Jaber partners with clients to obtain and defend permits, defend enforcement actions, and represent their interests in federal rulemaking proceedings and related Courts of Appeals litigation. His experience includes matters involving Clean Air Act programs, with a focus on the EPA’s New Source Review permitting program and regulation of hazardous air pollutants.
Lawdragon recognized Wood for environmental law and climate change, areas in which she is a national leader. She guides clients through politically charged, precedent-setting matters, including three landmark cases involving climate change before the U.S. Supreme Court. Wood leads McGuireWoods’ ESG task force, which helps clients achieve company-specific environmental, social and corporate governance goals.
“Greg, Aaron, Makram and Allison are among the best at what they do, whether advocating for clients in the courtroom or before regulatory agencies or advising them in the boardroom,” said Benjamin Hatch, chair of the firm’s Environmental & Mass Tort Litigation Department. “Our clients value their skill and insight and we are pleased that Lawdragon does, as well.”
McGuireWoods’ environmental lawyers are experienced in permitting, enforcement defense, rulemaking, legislation, project development and crisis management and they act as agency liaisons at the federal, state and local levels. The group includes former governmental regulators and lawyers with technical backgrounds in engineering and the natural sciences who work with clients to provide cost-effective ways to solve problems.