In 1987, K&L Gates opened its Harrisburg office, both to strengthen its state regulatory practice and to expand its general practice in a steadily growing area of Pennsylvania.  The practice has extended beyond the originally conceived scope to include contributions to the firm’s national practice.  The practice includes general litigation, environmental law, election law, public utility regulation, infrastructure development, construction litigation, government contracts, energy law, health care, gaming, and taxation.  The practice is complemented by a government affairs group that provides guidance on legislative and regulatory matters.

The environmental practice has been a mainstay of the Harrisburg office.  It encompasses virtually every aspect of environmental and natural resources law, including state and federal regulation of water, air, wetlands, mining, and waste management.  The work includes Superfund cases, administrative and enforcement proceedings, the permitting of solid waste and other environmentally sensitive activities, the development of industrial site reclamation projects and energy facilities, and the defense of criminal prosecutions.  The office’s environmental practice extends across the nation.

The office has a wide-ranging civil litigation practice, which includes a substantial appellate practice and an extensive administrative practice before state and federal regulatory agencies.  Our lawyers also handle legislative, election, and apportionment litigation.  This includes the representation of state legislative bodies and officers in cases challenging the constitutionality of legislation and legislative practices.  In 2004, we successfully defended Pennsylvania’s congressional redistricting plan before the Supreme Court of the United States.  Vieth v. Jubelirer, 541 U.S. 267 (2004).