Andrew J. Turner

Andrew has significant experience in the natural resources space, focusing on wetlands, endangered species and the marine environment. He has been influential in shaping jurisprudence at the intersection of environmental, energy and marine resource laws to the benefit of regulated industry and the environment.

Andrew works with clients when their activities involve wetlands, endangered species, federal lands, and waterfront and offshore resources. He has extensive experience navigating the complex natural resource and marine resource regulatory framework, drawing the connections to offer clients efficient strategies to tackle some of their most pressing environmental problems.

Andrew brings insightful and practical advice to complex permitting matters, litigation under state and federal acts and statutes, as well as in coordination with regulatory agencies on behalf of clients, including with the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and various state regulatory bodies across the country. Andrew’s practice covers a diverse range of natural resource and other environmental, marine resource and land use issues critical to the operations of his clients and he is often called upon to provide key strategic advice on external communications and media relations, representation before agency and department leadership and counsel, and crucial business strategy decisions.

Andrew offers proactive counseling to clients on matters involving the Clean Water Act (CWA) and CWA Section 404, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA), including Section 7. He is also valued for his reservoir of knowledge of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance. Andrew’s experience includes administrative rulemaking, permit administration, civil and criminal litigation, and federal regulatory agency practice. He regularly assists energy and water providers, state and local agencies, builders and developers, consumer product companies, offshore project proponents, vessel owners and operators and related trade associations.

Prior to joining the firm, Andrew served in the US Coast Guard Office of Maritime & International Law as Senior Counsel for Oceans and Environmental Affairs, and subsequently as the Coast Guard Chief of General Law. He also served in the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Office of General Counsel, focusing on Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulation and litigation, and in the US Air Force as an active duty and later a Reserve Judge Advocate.

Andrew is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and the US Courts of Appeals for the Eighth, Tenth, Eleventh, and District of Columbia Circuits.

• Selected as a Best Lawyer for Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2024
• Recognized as a Leader in Environment, District of Columbia, Chambers USA, 2023
• Selected for The Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law (2023, 2024)
• Recommended for Environment: Litigation (2019-2023) and Environment: Regulatory (2020, 2023), Legal 500 United States
• Recognized as 2021 Environmental Group of the Year, Law360, January 2022
• 2021 and 2017 Chambers USA Environment Law Firm of the Year
• Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, US Coast Guard, 2008
• Spirit of Excellence Award, US Coast Guard, 2007
• Superior Honor Award, US Department of State, 2005
• General Counsel’s Award, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, 1999, 2005
• E. Randolph Williams Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, 2002, 2003