Anna Wildeman, a former high-ranking official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has joined Troutman Pepper in the firm’s nationally recognized Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Regarded as one of the nation’s leading authorities on the Clean Water Act, Wildeman most recently served as principal deputy and acting assistant administrator in the Office of Water at EPA. At Troutman Pepper, she rejoins forces with Dave Ross after working together to lead the Office of Water at EPA for nearly three years.
Wildeman has spent nearly 15 years working in environmental law and policy in both the public and the private sectors, and as a prosecutor and defense attorney. In addition to her leadership position at EPA, Wildeman served as the deputy director and director of the Environmental Protection Unit at the Wisconsin Department of Justice where she was responsible for leading environmental enforcement for the state and counseling agency clients on significant environmental policy and legal matters.
Prior to her government experience, Wildeman was an environmental and agricultural policy advisor to the US. Chamber of Commerce and was a partner at Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP where she counseled clients on permitting and compliance strategies and defended against regulatory enforcement actions.
“Anna brings key environmental and regulatory experience to Troutman Pepper,” said Amie Colby, chair of the firm’s Regulatory & Finance Department. “As the federal government actively reviews the Clean Water Act, in particular the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ and the Section 401 water quality certification rule, Anna’s insider perspective will prove invaluable to our clients.”
“Her experience with government agencies and deep understanding of regulatory policy is a welcome addition for the clients we serve both nationally and in our D.C. office,” said Henry Liu, Washington, D.C. office managing partner.
“I’m excited to join Troutman Pepper’s national environmental practice and use my government and private sector experience to counsel clients in the rapidly evolving industry,” Wildeman said. “The firm is highly respected for its environmental work including its deep bench, responsiveness, and extensive knowledge of key regulations, and I look forward to working with the team to grow the practice in D.C. and throughout the United States.”
“When I joined Troutman Pepper, my goal was to help grow a preeminent national water practice as part of our overall environmental and natural resources portfolio,” said Dave Ross. “Anna’s decision to join the firm accelerates that vision, and I’m excited to get back to work with Anna on cutting edge legal issues for our clients.”
Wildeman earned her J.D. from Vermont Law School and her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. She joins Troutman Pepper on June 28, 2021.
Troutman Pepper’s Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group helps clients navigate critical environmental issues in the context of complex litigation, compliance, enforcement, and transactional matters. The group includes 40+ attorneys with valuable government, industry and technical experience, who provide a unique perspective to address the rapidly evolving federal, state, and local environmental issues that clients face on a day-to-day basis.
