About Me

Since high school I knew I wanted to do environmental law. The combination of my love for the outdoors and strong interest in the law led me down this path. While I was at Elon, I had some wonderful experiences, such as traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands to study evolution. Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, also occurred. The ramifications of the attack created a huge increase in law school applicants and subsequently an influx of new attorneys looking for jobs post-graduation. At the time, not a lot of law schools offered many environmental law classes or certifications. So, after law school, knowing that jobs were scarce, I went to pursue my law master’s in environmental law. This provided me an opportunity to exclusively study environmental law.

After I received my LL.M., I clerked for the president judge at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. Afterwards, I worked for a law firm and later the Liquor Control Board where I practiced insurance defense litigation and employment law. But I was determined to get a job within environmental law and persistently pursued these opportunities. Eventually, I got a job with the PA Department of Environmental Protection within their Bureau of Regulatory Counsel. In this position, I counseled many different water programs within the agency practicing regulatory law. After seven wonderful years at DEP, I moved onto the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as their Pennsylvania staff attorney. I also practice regulatory and legislative law at CBF and assist the litigators, as needed.

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, running, kayaking and many other outdoor activities. I was raised in Pittsburgh so you will also see me supporting the Steelers and Pens (and occasionally Pirates). I have two beautiful and feisty young daughters, a sarcastic husband and a quirky rescue dog that make up my family and complete me.

Professional Experience

Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Harrisburg, PA January 2018 – Present

PA Staff Attorney

• Provides legal counsel on all issues related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Drafts, edits, develops and reviews memoranda and legislation.
• Comments on federal and state regulations, policies and technical guidance.
• Participates on work groups related to specific topics such as the Environmental Rights Amendment, stormwater, water quality and litigation.

PA Dept. Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, PA Dec. 2010 – Dec. 2017

Assistant Counsel

• Provided legal counsel on NPDES permitting; nutrient trading; water withdrawal issues related to unconventional well drilling; water allocation; safe drinking water; drought management; environmental justice and water resources planning.
• Drafted and developed memoranda, legislation, regulations, permit conditions, policies, and technical guidance.
• Provided aid in litigation and settlement negotiations on issues of statewide significance.
• Reviewed Right to Know Law requests and responsive documents.
• Worked with the Delaware River Decree Parties (NYC, NY, NJ & DE) in negotiating, drafting and executing agreements on allocation of the Delaware River waters.
• Counseled on water issues related to the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Susquehanna River basin, Delaware River basin and Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body.

PA Liquor Control Board, Harrisburg, PA April 2010 – Dec. 2010

Assistant Counsel

• Litigated employment law cases, provided counsel on liquor law and analyzed, drafted, interpreted and litigated various contracts and procurement

Cipriani & Werner, P.C., Lemoyne, PA Aug. 2008 – April 2010

Associate Attorney

• Worked on all aspects of general insurance defense litigation including, but not limited to, workers compensation and personal injury.

Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, Harrisburg, PA Aug. 2007 – Aug. 2008

Judicial Law Clerk – Hon. Louis J. Farina, P.J.

APPOINTMENTS

• State Water Plan Statewide Water Resources Committee 2020 - present
• Citizens Advisory Council 2021 - present

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Meeting December 2019/ February 2021

• PA Politics and Citizen Advocacy

Chesapeake Bay Foundation November 2019

• PA Politics, Law and Environmental Rights Amendment

Environmental Law Forum April 2017

• NPDES Update

Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp June 2016

• Environmental Law

Statewide Meeting on Safe Drinking Water May 2016

• DEP Water Allocation and Water Management Plan Update

Society of Women Environmental Professionals November 2015

• Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity

Citizens Advisory Council November 2013

• Right to Know Law & Requests to DEP

Public Utility Law Conference May 2013

• DEP Drinking Water Law and Policy Update

Environmental Law Forum April 2013

• Water, Waste and Air (related to unconventional gas development)

Courses Taught