Dave Ross, a longtime public servant who has held key leadership positions in federal and state environmental agencies, has joined Troutman Pepper as a partner in the firm's Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Ross' policy background, along with a distinctive combination of federal, state and private sector experience, will significantly expand the capabilities of the firm's 50-attorney national environmental practice, which serves clients in a variety of industries across the United States.
Ross brings more than two decades of experience working on environmental issues, most recently serving as water chief in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He has also served as both a state prosecutor and private defense attorney, managing enforcement and compliance matters in all aspects of environmental law, including Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. He will work closely with the firm's appellate practice, broadening and strengthening the firm's environmental and natural resources already robust appellate litigation capabilities.
"Dave is widely recognized for his acumen in the environmental law arena, and most recently for his policy work across a wide spectrum of water issues – a unique background that will greatly benefit our clients across the country," said Amie Colby, partner and chair of the Regulatory & Finance Department at Troutman Pepper. "Dave will be a significant resource to our client base as a whole, particularly those in the energy sector, including pipelines and infrastructure, as well as our municipal clients."
Ross served as Assistant Administrator in the EPA's Office of Water from 2018 to 2020, with support at the time of his selection from environmental leaders on both sides of the aisle who made public statements affirming his ability to lead. During his time at EPA, Ross spearheaded many regulatory reform and modernization efforts, strengthened interagency relationships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Interior, and several other agencies, and helped deploy billions of dollars in federal loan assistance for water infrastructure projects across the country.
"Dave's arrival will be transformative for the firm's Environmental and Natural Resources practice, our Washington, D.C. office, and the firm's appellate litigation practice," said Catherine Little, partner and leader of the Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group. "He is highly regarded by the business community, with a proven track record of working collaboratively with a broad range of diverse stakeholders to address complex and often exceedingly controversial environmental issues."