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James M. Lynch

Partner
Seattle
+1.206.370.6587
Fax +1.206.370.6295

Primary Practice

Secondary Practices

Education

  • J.D., Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law, 1999, (Environmental Law Certificate)
  • M.S., University of Washington, 1993, (Natural Resource Management, Research Assistant, School of Fisheries)
  • B.S., Aquinas College, 1991, (Biology)

Admissions

  • Bar of Alaska
  • Bar of Washington
  • Biography Overview
  • Additional Background
  • Representative Work
Jim Lynch’s practice focuses on regulatory compliance and environmental law with an emphasis on the Federal Power Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA). Jim advises a number of large corporations, industry associations, and public utilities on complex environmental compliance and permitting matters. He currently represents a number of public and private energy companies on the development of financing, acquisition, and compliance strategies for alternative energy projects.

Professional Background

Prior to practicing law, Jim served as a fishery scientist and policy advisor with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Office of Hydropower Licensing, in Washington, D.C., and the NMFS Northwest Region, Protected Resources Division, in Washington and Oregon. Prior to departing NMFS' Northwest Region, he served as the regions' first Regional ESA Section 7 consultation coordinator, overseeing many complex consultation activities. Before joining K&L Gates, Jim served as a law clerk for the U.S. Departments of Interior and Commerce in 1993 and 1994.

Achievements

While at NMFS, Mr. Lynch received the agency's Bronze Medal for Superior Federal Service. He has been named one of Washington's "Rising Stars" by Washington Law & Politics magazine.

Professional/Civic Activities

  • Member, Washington State Bar Association, Environmental and Land Use Section
  • Member, Puget Sound Endangered Species Act Business Coalition
  • Member, Legal Committee, Washington Forest Protection Association
  • Member, FERC Dispute Resolution Panel, 2004 to Present
  • Certified associate fishery scientist, American Fisheries Society

Speaking Engagements

  • Wind Wildlife Conference, Portland, Oregon (2011), speaker
  • Regional ESA Forum, Seattle, Wash. (2000–2011), co-chair
  • Regional Hydropower Conference, Seattle, Wash. (2002-2007), co-chair
  • Major wind energy companies on the development of ESA compliance and litigation strategies for its wind energy projects throughout the United States.
  • BNSF Railway on environmental permitting and compliance matters in Washington.
  • PacifiCorp Energy on the development of ESA compliance strategies for its Klamath River Hydropower Project.
  • Washington Forest Protection Association and select timber companies on the development of Clean Water Act compliance strategies.
  • Murray Pacific Corporation on environmental compliance issues pertaining to its timberlands in Washington.
  • NovaGold Resources Inc. on the development of Clean Water Act compliance strategies for its mining projects in Alaska.
  • Energy Northwest on the development of ESA permitting strategies for its wind energy projects in Washington.
  • Donlin Creek LLC on corporate, environmental and regulatory issues pertaining to the development of Donlin Creek mine in Southwest Alaska.
  • NovaGold Resources on environmental and regulatory issues pertaining to the development of mining ventures in Alaska.
  • The State of Alaska on matters pertaining to development of an airport in Southwest Alaska.
  • Green Diamond Resources Company in the development of environmental permits for timberlands in Northern California.
  • Western States Petroleum Association on ESA issues concerning operation of refineries in Puget Sound, Washington.
  • Pacific Merchant Shipping Association on ESA issues concerning operation of member vessels in Puget Sound, Washington.
  • PacifiCorp in the relicensing and operation of four hydroelectric projects.
  • PacifiCorp in a Ninth Circuit appeal of a project license on the basis of NEPA compliance.
  • PacifiCorp in a matter seeking damages and natural resource mitigation from an equipment failure at a dam.
  • The Port of Seattle on environmental matters pertaining to its development of a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
  • The Port of Seattle in Ninth Circuit litigation challenging development of a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the basis of ESA and NEPA compliance.
  • Washington Forest Protection Association on matters pertaining to the Washington timber industry's pursuit of a programmatic habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the ESA.
  • Washington Forest Protection Association in its pursuit of a programmatic habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the ESA.
  • Dungeness Water Users Association on environmental matters pertaining to the operations of an irrigation association in Sequim, Washington.
  • Major pipeline owners on NEPA, MSA and ESA issues concerning a right-of-way renewal for the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline.
  • An integrated energy company in environmental matters pertaining to the listing of Puget Sound herring stocks under the ESA.
  • ConocoPhillips on environmental matters pertaining to its Alpine oil and gas development.
  • A fishery association in District Court and Appellate litigation challenging fishery regulations under the ESA, MSA, NEPA and APA.
  • A fishery association in developing fishery management regulations under the MSA and ESA.
  • A fishery association in District Court and Ninth Circuit litigation defending a NMFS biological opinion concerning the pelagic longline fishery.
  • A fishery association in matters pertaining to the development of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Reserve and Marine Sanctuary under Executive Orders 13178 and 13196 and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
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