PHILADELPHIA AND SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 2015—Duane Morris LLP is pleased to announce that Thomas M. Berliner, a partner in the firm's San Francisco office, has been named chair of the firm's global Energy, Environment and Resources Practice Group. Berliner is among the leading lawyers in California on water, power and irrigation rights for water agencies, agriculture and other businesses. He succeeds Stephen Teichler of the firm's Washington, D.C. office.
Duane Morris' Energy Environment and Resources Practice Group (EER) includes more than 60 attorneys throughout the United States and internationally who guide clients through complex legal, financial, practical and political issues regarding electricity, natural gas and LNG, oil, nuclear, renewable energy and sustainability, water supplies, hydropower and energy facility construction.
"Steve Teichler has done a terrific job leading the group and establishing its strong reputation," said John Soroko, Chairman and CEO of Duane Morris. "I know that Tom will build on Steve's record and bring new ideas and innovative energy to the group. We are committed to further growing our EER Practice Group, and that will be among Tom's top priorities."
"I look forward to continuing to work with all the attorneys of the Energy Environment and Resources Group," said Berliner. "Steve has been a friend, mentor and role model for many years. I'm honored to succeed him," he said.
Berliner focuses his practice on water, energy, environmental and governmental/municipal law. He advises public entities and private clients on all aspects of water supply, hydropower, energy development, renewable and sustainable energy practices, natural resources and environmental compliance and litigation. Berliner also counsels municipalities, special districts, private individuals and companies on municipal affairs and government procurement. He represents clients before local, state and federal agencies in administrative, regulatory and legislative matters.
Prior to joining Duane Morris in 1998, Berliner was general counsel of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC), where for nearly 20 years he advised the PUC and San Francisco's mayor and board of supervisors on matters pertaining to water and energy utilities and municipal affairs. He is a board member of the Water Education Association and a member of the Association of California Water Agencies; the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; and the State Bar of California.
Berliner is a 1978 graduate of the University of California Hastings College of the Law, where he was a founder of the Hastings International and Comparative Law Journal, and a graduate of the University of California at Davis.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP, a law firm with more than 700 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally, is asked by a broad array of clients to provide innovative solutions to today's legal and business challenges.
About the Duane Morris EER Practice Group
In environmental and natural resources work, attorneys represent clients with regulatory compliance, enforcement and transaction-related needs. They also assist federal and state regulators and agencies in the formation and implementation of regulations and policy. Partners in the energy practice have served in governmental capacities nationally and internationally, held leadership posts with various private and non-governmental organizations and served as government regulators.
Relating to natural resources, Duane Morris attorneys work with clients to develop endangered species mitigation banks, obtain permitting associated with wetlands protection, create habitat conservation plans and related plans for endangered species, handle water supply assessments, protect and establish water rights and negotiate mining and timber leases.
Attorneys in the firm's water practice address the intertwined interests of government, business and the community when legal issues involving water emerge.