Greenberg Traurig Adds 15-Year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Veteran, Bernadette M. Rappold

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) veteran, Bernadette M. Rappold joined global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office in the Environmental and Litigation practices. Rappold served 15 years at the EPA, most recently as Director of EPA’s Special Litigation and Projects Division in the Office of Civil Enforcement.

As Director, Rappold led complex enforcement actions in response to violations of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and other environmental statutes. In addition, she was responsible for developing, implementing, and managing EPA enforcement initiatives, including agency initiatives on onshore natural gas and concentrated animal feeding operations. She also oversaw implementation of many of the agency’s cross-cutting policies, including enforcement response and penalty policies, the Audit Policy, and the Supplemental Environmental Project Policy, among others.

“The addition of Bern will not only strengthen the firm’s Environmental Practice, especially with her relatively recent, senior-level EPA headquarters experience, but her strong working relationships will prove to be strategic and influential for our clients,” stated David G. Mandelbaum, co-chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice. “Bern’s decision to join us not only furthers our efforts to be the environmental law firm of choice for clients, but tells us that we are also a platform of choice for distinguished environmental practitioners.”

Greenberg Traurig was recognized as ‘Law Firm of the Year’ for Environmental Law in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2016 edition of “Best Law Firms.”

“Greenberg Traurig’s reputation with local and national government officials, in addition to its robust environmental and litigation practices, made this an ideal opportunity for me, my practice, and my clients,” stated Rappold. “I look forward to taking full advantage of Greenberg Traurig’s unique platform to support our clients, specifically as they come up against EPA initiatives and other environmental challenges.”

Prior to serving as Director of EPA’s Special Litigation and Projects Division, Rappold served as Director of the Site Remediation and Enforcement Staff in the Federal Facilities Office. As Director, she was responsible for advising the EPA administrator and other political-level management on proposed legislation and matters of enforcement policy and strategy, as well as for negotiating and resolving environmental compliance and remediation matters under virtually every environmental statute EPA administers. Before joining Greenberg Traurig, Rappold practiced at McGuire Woods for three years.

Recently, the Washington, D.C. office had another high profile hire with significant government experience. Elaine C. Greenberg, who joined the Litigation Practice in July, previously served as a Senior Officer in the SEC’s Enforcement Division.