From the boardroom to the courtroom, Jim Banks takes on the toughest environmental and legal challenges. Always in a leadership role, Jim has spearheaded the advocacy efforts of a national environmental organization, directed the legal and regulatory affairs of a major corporation, and led the global Environmental practice at Hogan Lovells.

Jim is recognized for his in-depth knowledge of the Clean Water Act (CWA). His combination of legal experience and engineering training enable Jim to help clients develop practical, imaginative solutions to their biggest problems. Clients also seek Jim's guidance and representation in regulatory, permitting, and litigation challenges involving endangered species and National Environmental Policy Act matters.

Jim serves clients in the oil and gas, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and waste management sectors, and he has represented states and cities in high-stakes litigation over the use of river flows. He challenges the EPA's regulations and enforcement orders, the Fish and Wildlife Service's listing of threatened and endangered species, and the Office of Surface Mining's regulation of coal mines. When agencies bring enforcement actions or environmental groups file citizen suits, Jim develops creative legal and technical defenses to resolve them.

Jim also guides clients through complex permitting processes for large development projects. As licensing counsel for large mining operations, crude oil facilities, and liquefied natural gas terminals, Jim provides the vision and strategy to secure agency approvals and withstand judicial challenges.