David Verhey Joins Holland and Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation Practice in Washington, D.C.
February 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Holland & Knight, LLP announced today that David M. Verhey, formerly the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), has joined the firm's Washington, D.C. office as a Partner in the Public Policy & Regulation practice. Verhey will assist clients with counseling, litigation, and representation in matters involving environmental regulation, green technology, natural resources, and energy development, with an emphasis on federal environmental policy and government relations.
"We are delighted to have David on board at Holland & Knight. He is a skilled attorney who knows how law and policy impact business, and how to reach solutions that make sense," said Rich Gold, head of Holland & Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation practice. "David has valuable and practical experience in litigation, natural resource policy, and public lands, and will be a tremendous asset for our clients."
As the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Verhey provided policy and management guidance to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Park Service (NPS), which together have the responsibility for managing the nation's parks and wildlife and millions of acres of public lands. During his tenure at DOI, Verhey took a lead role in developing and implementing energy policies related to the responsibilities of the FWS and NPS, especially in the areas of hydropower, wind, coal-powered generation, oil and gas development, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Before taking this position, Verhey served as Associate Solicitor for Parks and Wildlife, where he supervised the legal affairs of the NPS and FWS, reviewed and approved national regulations, and advised the Secretary of the Interior and other senior DOI officials with regard to natural resource damages, the Endangered Species Act, public land use, and park management and operations.
“Holland & Knight has an excellent reputation and broad expertise in environmental regulation and energy matters," Verhey said. “I'm pleased to be joining such a great team of professionals, and am looking forward to using my government experience here."
Prior to joining DOI, David served as Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where he was responsible for providing counsel to the Governor and other senior officials in the areas of executive powers, clemency, appointments and budgetary matters. Before that, he served as Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, where he was lead counsel in wide range of civil and criminal cases for the Governor and other officials, including several matters arising out of California's historic recall election in 2003. The Attorney General recognized David's achievements as a litigator with the Award of Excellence in the same year.
Verhey received his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he also obtained a Certificate in Government Affairs. He earned his bachelor's degree in history, with highest honors, from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Verhey is a member of the bars of California and the District of Columbia.
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