Holland & Hart LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its specialized environmental appellate capabilities with the addition of Jennifer Scheller Neumann and Amelia Yowell as Of Counsel in the firm’s Washington, DC office. Both women join the firm following distinguished careers at the US Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), bringing extensive experience in environmental appellate litigation and regulatory matters.
Jennifer joins Holland & Hart after two decades at the DOJ, most recently as Chief of ENRD’s Appellate Section, where she directed litigation and appeals on cutting-edge issues involving every major environmental and natural resources statute and represented a broad range of federal agencies. She has managed appeals in every circuit of the United States Courts of Appeals and worked closely with the Office of the Solicitor General on petitions for certiorari and merits cases in the United States Supreme Court. Jennifer’s insights into agency decision-making processes and her extensive litigation experience help her guide clients to adapt and refine their actions and legal positions in a changing regulatory environment.
Amelia brings extensive regulatory and appellate litigation experience from her time in the government and in private practice. As an appellate attorney at ENRD, she defended federal agency approvals for many different projects—including mining operations, oil and gas development, and electricity infrastructure. She is well-versed in a variety of environmental statutes, with particular expertise in the Mining Law of 1872. Amelia understands that there are unique considerations in litigation against and alongside the government. With those in mind, she will be able to help clients seeking to either challenge agency action or to defend agency actions as an intervenor.
"Jennifer and Amelia bring exceptional appellate strength to our environmental practice that will be tremendously valuable to our clients," said Emily Schilling, Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group Leader. "Their years of experience defending federal agency decisions gives them unique strategic insight into how the government approaches environmental litigation, particularly appeals. This perspective enables them to anticipate potential legal vulnerabilities before they arise and develop effective offensive and defensive strategies when clients’ projects face challenges."
"I'm excited to join Holland & Hart to continue working on high-stakes, complex environmental cases and to help clients navigate regulatory hurdles," said Jennifer Scheller Neumann. "The firm's culture, which places such high value on integrity, excellence, and collaboration, resonates strongly with my own professional values. After two decades in government service, I'm energized to bring my experience to bear for the firm's impressive roster of clients."
"I have encountered Holland & Hart attorneys in prior cases, and I was always impressed by their deep industry knowledge and effective litigation strategies,” said Amelia Yowell. "Having grown up in Kansas, I felt an immediate connection to the firm's Mountain West roots and its commitment to maintaining a supportive culture while delivering exceptional client service."
About Holland & Hart
Holland & Hart is a full-service law firm with nearly 500 lawyers in 14 offices. Throughout the Mountain West, from coast to coast and beyond, Holland & Hart provides clients with astute legal counsel from a vantage like no other. For more information, visit hollandhart.com.