Deidre is the head of Hunton's administrative law team and leads the firm's environmental practice and specializes in permitting, compliance, and litigation relating to the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other environmental statutes. She was recognized by Law360 in 2021 as MVP of the Year, one of only five lawyers recognized nationwide in the environmental category. Deidre is also consistently ranked in both Chambers and Legal 500 for her experience in novel environmental issues. For example, she is recognized by Chambers USA 2020 for her "experience, talent, and abilities" and praised as "an outstanding environmental attorney" who is "knowledgeable of and connected with federal agencies." Deidre is skilled at negotiating and obtaining permits for complicated energy and development projects. Her clients include oil and natural gas pipelines, electric utilities, real estate developers agricultural interests, state and local agencies, and various trade associations.

Deidre brings over 25 years of practice experience in the water and natural resources space. As part of our energy transition practice, Deidre assists clients with navigating permitting, regulatory, and compliance standards for the development and transmission of new and traditional energy sources. She routinely advises on obtaining CWA section 404 authorizations as well as Rivers and Harbors Act section 408 and section 10 authorizations from the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).

Prior to entering private practice, Deidre served as assistant to the general counsel of the Army at the Pentagon, advising the Secretary of the Army on environmental and land use issues involving the Corps' Civil Works and section 404 regulatory program, as well as the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. Deidre has extensive experience with federal regulatory agencies, military departments, and the US Department of Justice.

Deidre often speaks at industry meetings, prepares comments for the energy industry on environmental matters, and contributes to the firm's environmental blog, The Nickel Report.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Order of the Coif, 1996

BA, Duke University, cum laude, 1993