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Nationally Recognized Attorney LaJuana Wilcher Speaks on Environmental Law
by Mandy Hicks
Attorney LaJuana Wilcher recently spoke at the Kentucky Wetlands Law and Compliance Seminar in Lexington, KY on March 6, 2019 and at “The Fork Not Taken: A Two Forks Retrospective” in Denver Colorado on March 8.
At the Kentucky Wetlands and Compliance Seminar, Wilcher spoke on the Wetlands Permitting Process including when a section 404 is needed, types of permits, the application and review process, considerations in permit approval, and how to facilitate and expedite permit reviews and approvals.
“The Fork Not Taken: A Two Forks Retrospective” was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Environmental Policy Act, and to provide a historical lens on high-profile water projects now under way. Water Education Colorado together with Colorado Trout Unlimited and the One World One Water Center of Metropolitan State University of Denver offered this half day education event during which Wilcher served on a panel focusing first on the events leading up to the veto of Two Forks, and then with an exploration of what’s transpired in the years since to lay the groundwork for Denver and the surrounding suburbs’ evolving approach to providing water to growing communities in an era of increasing scarcity.
About LaJuana Wilcher
LaJuana S. Wilcher is a partner at English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP. During her career, she has been a trial lawyer, served in senior policy positions in the federal and state governments, taught law at Vanderbilt University Law School and Vermont Law School, and represented corporate, municipal and not-for-profit clients in private law practice throughout the country.
Nominated by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 1989, Ms. Wilcher was USEPA’s senior official in the Office of Water, where she managed legislative, policy and program matters, and served as EPA’s lead representative in the $1.3 billion Exxon Valdez oil spill negotiations. She served as Assistant Administrator for Water at the EPA from 1989 to 1993.
She has counseled multinational corporations on strategic, policy, legislation and litigation matters. She has served as Cabinet Secretary for Kentucky’s Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, which consolidated over 30 regulatory agencies, including the Departments of Environmental Protect, Labor, Financial Institutions, Insurance, Mine Safety and Alcoholic Beverage Control, as well as the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, among others.
About ELPO
English Lucas Priest & Owsley LLP, the largest law firm in south central Kentucky, offers business clients and individuals the experience and depth of a large firm and the personal commitment and attention of a small one. For more than 40 years, the firm has worked with clients to develop creative solutions to difficult legal and business problems. The firm is located in Bowling Green, Ky.
