LITIGATION/ENFORCEMENT

As a former federal prosecutor and general counsel of an environmental regulatory agency, Teri brings a large variety of tools to bear in solving problems for her clients. Demonstrating the depth of her 25 years of experience, Teri has tried more than 50 cases to verdict as lead counsel, defended numerous enforcement actions and grand jury investigations, conducted internal investigations and audits, and drafted multi-media environmental standard operating procedures to reduce future enforcement risks. Teri has also used more innovative tools to successfully solve problems for her clients. She has drafted legislative language, challenged administrative rules, acquired variances, and negotiated creative and beneficial solutions for her clients. Teri is also a member of Sutherland’s Crisis Management and Complex Litigation Team, defending companies facing challenges on multiple fronts, including civil litigation and parallel criminal investigations, multi-district litigation proceedings, and putative class actions. Visit sutherlandcrisismanagement.com.

TRANSACTIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING

Because her expertise covers a broad range of environmental issues, Teri frequently conducts environmental due diligence and advises international and national companies on the allocation of environmental liabilities during the merger, acquisition and sale of large assets. Along the same lines, Teri advises international investment companies on the environmental risks associated with certain investments. Teri specializes in serving as project development counsel supervising the environmental permitting of major energy projects such as terminals and pipelines. She is also actively involved in counseling on matters related to shale gas development.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION/WHITE COLLAR

On the commercial litigation side, Teri has successfully litigated multi-million dollar procurement contract claims, construction disputes, toxic torts and class actions. Additionally, she has substantial federal criminal defense experience with a focus on white collar matters, including financial transactions as well as environmental crimes.

BEFORE SUTHERLAND

Prior to joining Sutherland, Teri was the director of the Florida environmental, health and safety practice of a large international firm. She was also the managing partner of an environmental, energy and resources practice for a Florida-based law firm with significant public affairs experience.

While serving as general counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 1999 to 2004, Teri provided counsel to the department secretary and appeared in federal and state court, and before administrative agencies, on environmental matters arising under the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Remediation, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), and other statutes. She also served as lead counsel on several litigation matters of national significance, including the Tri-State Water Wars, which alleged violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

From 1990 to 1999, Teri served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, where she was designated the Lead Environmental Crime Prosecutor for the district. Teri successfully prosecuted hundreds of felony cases including environmental crimes, bank fraud, health care fraud and other complex white collar matters.