Hogan Lovells Publications
D.C. Circuit denies Sierra Club’s petition challenging DOE’s orders authorizing exports for the Freeport LNG terminal
28 August 2017
Partner, Washington, D.C.
Email james.banks@hoganlovells.com
Phone +1 202 637 5802
Fax +1 202 637 5910
Practice groupRegulatory
"a creative thinker and a very thoughtful lawyer."
Chambers USA 2017
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.
Environmental Law & Litigation-Environmental
The Best Lawyers in America
Lawyer of the Year
The Best Lawyers in America
Environment (District of Columbia)
Chambers USA
Environment: Litigation, Hall of Fame
Legal 500 US
Environment: Litigation, Leading Lawyer
Legal 500 US
Environment
Who's Who Legal
Environmental; Environmental Litigation
Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers
Washington's Top Lawyers: Environmental
Washingtonian
Environmental Law
The Best Lawyers in America
Environmental Litigation
The Best Lawyers in America
International Environment Lawyers
Who's Who Legal
Environment Super League
PLC Which Lawyer?
Education
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1975
B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Kansas, 1972
Bar admissions and qualifications
District of Columbia
Court admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Represented a large poultry producer in a rare federal court decision overturning an EPA enforcement order under the CWA.
Secured an unprecedented federal court decision invalidating an Interior Department decision listing a species under the Endangered Species Act.
Guiding the federal and state permitting efforts for three liquefied natural gas terminals in the Gulf of Mexico region.
Representing the largest underground coal mining company in leading a challenge to Interior Department environmental regulations.
Resolved a citizen suit and storm water permit issues for hundreds of contaminated sites left by the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos.
Hogan Lovells Publications
28 August 2017
Hogan Lovells Publications
28 August 2017
Hogan Lovells Publications
17 August 2016
Hogan Lovells Publications
20 October 2015