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Gwen’s strength in building relationships, managing complex matters, and in-depth knowledge of local, state and federal governments, helps clients achieve their business imperatives. Gwen’s practice focuses on environmental policy, government relations, enforcement defense litigation, and special investigations for private and municipal clients. She also provides strategic advice and counsel on national security matters related to the protection of environmental and energy infrastructure from cyber and physical threats, including compliance planning, incident response and subsequent enforcement or litigation matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Gwen spent more than twenty years in the public sector, serving as both an elected and appointed official at the state and local levels, as well as in various branches of the federal government. Most recently, she served as the Principal Legal Advisor (General Counsel) for Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and as Chief of Staff to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Obama Administration. In addition to her time at the DHS and EPA, Gwen served as the EPA Region 4 (Southeastern Region) Regional Administrator, where she was responsible for establishing and implementing environmental policy, including the principals of environmental justice, for eight southeastern states and six federally recognized tribes. Gwen was twice elected District Attorney for the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit in DeKalb County, Georgia; the first African American and first woman to hold that office.