Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

Andrea is the practice group leader for Troutman Pepper Locke’s Environmental + Natural Resources Group. She is a natural resource attorney with extensive experience addressing water quality, water quantity, and endangered species issues. Andrea provides strategic advice to clients on navigating federal reviews and approvals under the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act (including Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications), and the National Environmental Policy Act, particularly in the context of large infrastructure projects such as hydropower projects, pipelines, and wind projects. She currently serves as general counsel to the Northwest Hydroelectric Association.

Andrea’s practice also includes landfill permitting and compliance, as well as broader waste and chemical management issues under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act. She defends clients in environmental enforcement actions, and has also litigated permitting and rulemaking actions. Andrea regularly counsels clients on legislative and regulatory strategies at the state and federal level to promote her clients’ objectives. More recently, Andrea advises clients on greenwashing risks and best practices when making environmental claims.

  • Counseled clients on permitting strategy and timeline for large infrastructure projects.
  • Facilitated project reviews under the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, including defending agency approvals.
  • Represented clients in negotiations with federal agencies to obtain approvals necessary for large infrastructure projects.
  • Represented dischargers in Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act permit proceedings and appeals involving complex factual and legal issues.
  • Obtained critical path environmental permits for projects involving power plants, manufacturing facilities, and water and wastewater plants.
  • Created and advised stakeholder group focused on Virginia water supply issues.
  • Represented clients in water withdrawal permit proceedings.
  • Represented intervenors in litigation regarding water allocation and the Endangered Species Act.
  • Defended projects against citizen suits brought under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
  • Developed strategies for affected stakeholders in federal and state rulemaking proceedings and on legislative matters.
  • Negotiated resolution of enforcement cases.
  • Defended clients in enforcement proceedings brought by regulatory agencies.
  • Advised clients on addressing environmental justice considerations in the air permitting context.
  • Strategized with clients on developing strategies for addressing environmental justice.
  • Provided solid waste permitting advice to new and expanding landfill operations.
  • Advised clients on greenwashing risks and counseled on environmental marketing claims.
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Environmental Law (2022-2026), Litigation – Environmental (2024-2026), Natural Resources Law (2022-2026), Water Law (2022-2026)
  • Best Lawyers in America®: “Lawyer of the Year” in Environmental Law (2025); Litigation – Environmental (2026)
  • Chambers USA: Environmental Law, Virginia (2015-2025)
  • Legal 500 United States: Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power (2025), Environment: Litigation (2023-2025), Environment: Regulatory (2021-2025), and Environment: Transactional (2023-2025)
  • Virginia Business: “Legal Elite” in Environmental Law (2016, 2019-2023)

Andrea is the practice group leader for Troutman Pepper Locke’s Environmental + Natural Resources Group. She is a natural resource attorney with extensive experience addressing water quality, water quantity, and endangered species issues. Andrea provides strategic advice to clients on navigating federal reviews and approvals under the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act (including Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications), and the National Environmental Policy Act, particularly in the context of large infrastructure projects such as hydropower projects, pipelines, and wind projects. She currently serves as general counsel to the Northwest Hydroelectric Association.

Andrea’s practice also includes landfill permitting and compliance, as well as broader waste and chemical management issues under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act. She defends clients in environmental enforcement actions, and has also litigated permitting and rulemaking actions. Andrea regularly counsels clients on legislative and regulatory strategies at the state and federal level to promote her clients’ objectives. More recently, Andrea advises clients on greenwashing risks and best practices when making environmental claims.

  • Counseled clients on permitting strategy and timeline for large infrastructure projects.
  • Facilitated project reviews under the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, including defending agency approvals.
  • Represented clients in negotiations with federal agencies to obtain approvals necessary for large infrastructure projects.
  • Represented dischargers in Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act permit proceedings and appeals involving complex factual and legal issues.
  • Obtained critical path environmental permits for projects involving power plants, manufacturing facilities, and water and wastewater plants.
  • Created and advised stakeholder group focused on Virginia water supply issues.
  • Represented clients in water withdrawal permit proceedings.
  • Represented intervenors in litigation regarding water allocation and the Endangered Species Act.
  • Defended projects against citizen suits brought under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
  • Developed strategies for affected stakeholders in federal and state rulemaking proceedings and on legislative matters.
  • Negotiated resolution of enforcement cases.
  • Defended clients in enforcement proceedings brought by regulatory agencies.
  • Advised clients on addressing environmental justice considerations in the air permitting context.
  • Strategized with clients on developing strategies for addressing environmental justice.
  • Provided solid waste permitting advice to new and expanding landfill operations.
  • Advised clients on greenwashing risks and counseled on environmental marketing claims.
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Environmental Law (2022-2026), Litigation – Environmental (2024-2026), Natural Resources Law (2022-2026), Water Law (2022-2026)
  • Best Lawyers in America®: “Lawyer of the Year” in Environmental Law (2025); Litigation – Environmental (2026)
  • Chambers USA: Environmental Law, Virginia (2015-2025)
  • Legal 500 United States: Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power (2025), Environment: Litigation (2023-2025), Environment: Regulatory (2021-2025), and Environment: Transactional (2023-2025)
  • Virginia Business: “Legal Elite” in Environmental Law (2016, 2019-2023)
  • Member, Law360 Environmental Editorial Advisory Board (2025)
  • Board member, VCU Rice Rivers Center
  • General board member, VIRGINIAforever, 2018-present
  • Board member, Green Infrastructure Center, 2015-2017
  • Member, American Water Works Association, Virginia Chapter, 2003-present
  • Chair, Environmental Law Section, Virginia State Bar, 2010-2011
  • Past chair, Environmental Law Section, Richmond Bar Association, 2003-2004
  • ABA, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources

Education

  • University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1996
  • College of William & Mary, B.A., 1991

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
  • Speaker, “Post-Apocalyptic Permitting: The Path Forward for Solar and Wind After the DOI Memo,” Troutman Pepper Locke Webinar, August 22, 2025.
  • Speaker, “Species Developments,” Associated General Contractors, July 30, 2025.
  • Speaker, “Energy Infrastructure and the Endangered Species Act,” American Bar Association, November 5, 2024.
  • Moderator, “State Water Rights in the Northwest,” NHA’s 2024 Clean Currents, October 7-10, 2024.
  • Speaker, “Powering Through the Environmental Challenges of EV Development,” Energy Law Insights, April 17, 2024.
  • Speaker, “The Rise in Greenwashing Claims,” Energy Law Insights, March 6, 2024.
  • Speaker, “Hot Regulatory and Legal Topics,” Waterpower Week, May 9, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Regulatory Hot Topics,” 2023 Northwest Hydroelectric Association’s Annual Conference, February 24, 2023.
  • Speaker, “ESG in Hydropower: Emerging Ideas, Opportunities and Notes of Caution,” 2023 Northwest Hydroelectric Association’s Annual Conference, February 24, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Siting in Virginia,” Troutman Pepper, April 21, 2021.
  • Speaker, “Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times,” Troutman Pepper Webinar, February 24, 2021.
  • Speaker, “Environmental Justice: 2021 and Beyond,” Virginia Farm Bureau Conference, February 4, 2021.
  • Speaker, “Environmental Justice 2020,” Virginia Manufacturers Association Environmental Health and Safety Conference, September 23, 2020.
  • Presenter, “Rates and Affordability,” Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association, WaterJam Utility Manager’s Meeting, September 16, 2020.
  • Speaker, “Environmental Justice 2020,” August 6, 2020.
  • Speaker, “Legal Developments: New Endangered Species Act,” National Hydropower Association Southeast Regional Meeting, Charlotte, NC, February 25, 2020.
  • Moderator, “The Future of Water Supply in North Carolina,” NC Chamber Environmental Compliance Conference, Raleigh, NC, February 5, 2020.
  • Speaker, “Environmental Plenary: Species Alert: New Developments in Species and Migratory Bird Rules,” AGC 2019 Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Conference, Seattle, WA, July 24, 2019.
  • Speaker, “Endangered Species Act: Recent Developments,” National Hydropower Association Southeast Regional Meeting, Charleston, SC, February 12, 2019.
  • Speaker, AWWA Water Resources Committee, Richmond, VA, November 15, 2017.
  • Speaker, Virginia Military Institute’s 28thAnnual Environment Virginia Symposium, Lexington, VA, April 5, 2017.
  • Speaker, Virginia Military Institute’s 27thAnnual Environment Virginia Symposium, Lexington, VA, April 6-7, 2016.
  • Speaker, “Water Update – Federal and State,” North Carolina Chamber Environmental Compliance Conference, January 28, 2016.
  • Moderator, “Look But Don’t Touch: How Water Quality Regulation Affects Water Availability,” American Bar Association, Online, January 26, 2016.
  • Speaker, “Regional Approaches to Water Supply Management in Virginia,” The Virginia Military Institute 26thAnnual Environment Virginia Symposium, Lexington, VA, March 31-April 2, 2015.
  • Panelist, “Water Reuse and Adaptations for Water Supply Scarcity,” The Virginia Military Institute 25thAnnual Environment Virginia Symposium, Lexington, VA, April 8-10, 2014.
  • Moderator, “Virginia’s Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Program: What’s Next?,” The Virginia Military Institute 25thAnnual Environment Virginia Symposium, Lexington, VA, April 8-10, 2014.