Counsel Andrew Stewart Bolsters V&E's Environmental Practice in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Andrew Stewart, the former acting director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Special Litigation and Projects Division within the Office of Civil Enforcement, has joined Vinson & Elkins LLP as counsel in Washington, D.C.

Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience as an environmental lawyer, Stewart brings to the firm valuable knowledge of EPA litigation, enforcement practice and policies. He has experience with all major environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

"We are confident that the insight Andrew gleaned over the course of his career with EPA will enhance V&E's national environmental practice," said Michael Charness, Managing Partner of V&E's Washington, D.C. office. "We are excited to welcome him to the firm."

Stewart joined EPA in 2003 and served in the agency's Water Enforcement Division until 2006, when he was promoted to Chief of the Litigation and Audit Policy Branch of EPA's Special Litigation and Projects Division. In 2013, Stewart was appointed as the division's acting director and was tasked with helping to implement EPA's Energy Extraction Enforcement Initiative, a major effort addressing environmental compliance at oil and gas operations across the United States. He also oversaw all of the division's enforcement actions and litigation, working with EPA regional offices, the Department of Justice and state agencies.

Prior to joining EPA, Stewart was a senior associate in Latham & Watkins' Environment, Land & Resources Department, focusing on litigation, compliance counseling, regulatory advocacy and advising clients on potential liabilities associated with site development and corporate transactions.

Stewart is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Duke University. After law school, he completed a clerkship with a federal district court judge in Maryland.

"V&E's outstanding reputation and culture are what really drew me to the firm," Stewart said. "I look forward to contributing to V&E's diverse environmental practice as I embark on the next stage of my career."

Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with approximately 650 lawyers across 15 offices worldwide. For more information, please contact Courtney Binick at +1.713.758.2333.

SOURCE Vinson & Elkins LLP

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