Katherine Wenner is an associate in the Environmental, Safety & Health Practice Group in the Columbus office. Her practice focuses on federal environmental litigation and regulatory matters. She also has extensive experience advising on environmental compliance matters, as well as advocating for the wastewater and drinking water industries. Katherine is experienced with the key federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). She assists clients with matters such as environmental permitting, due diligence, compliance counseling and litigation.
Katherine leverages her prior clerkship experience to identify her client’s strongest positions, and to anticipate the needs of the court. She has significant experience spanning all phases of litigation. Katherine has trial experience, in addition to expertise in managing discovery, resolving discovery disputes, preparing for mediation and drafting pre-trial and dispositive motions.
Prior to joining the firm, Katherine served as a law clerk in the US District Court for the District of Wyoming and the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. During this time, she managed a significant portion of these judges’ dockets, performed legal research on a wide range of issues, briefed both judges on a broad variety of legal matters, wrote legal memoranda and assisted in drafting judicial decisions. She also previously served as a legal intern for the Office of the US Trade Representative, and as a legal extern in the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Before law school, Katherine worked as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives where she managed constituent matters, corresponded with stakeholders, coordinated legislative meetings and assisted in drafting legislation.
Challenging administrative actions in a CWA Section 404 permitting matter, impacting the ability to mine the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposit.
Defending a leading pipeline and energy infrastructure company in a natural resource damages suit involving alleged polychlorinated biphenyl contamination.
Representing clients challenging major US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, including litigation in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit challenging the US EPA’s regulation of methylene chloride under TSCA.
Representing a leading power management company in successfully resolving claims under CERCLA.
Representing a major waste management client in solid waste permitting matters and appeals.
Advising and advocating for drinking water and wastewater utilities on federal and state regulatory matters, including emerging issues pertaining to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Providing compliance counseling pertaining to PFAS TSCA reporting requirements.
Defending an agency determination on behalf of a project proposer in a matter seeking judicial review regarding the need for an environmental impact statement.
Conducting environmental due diligence reviews for clients prior to property acquisition and/or redevelopment.
Representing clients in responding to US EPA information requests under CAA Section 114 and resolving potential enforcement actions regarding the same.
Tracking siting rules to assist a multinational power generation and operations company in matters related to wind turbine developments.
Member, Ohio State Bar Association – Environmental Section
Squire Patton Boggs Pro Bono Star, 2024
Squire Patton Boggs Pro Bono Superstar, 2023
North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2023