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Biography

Kathy Beckett has over thirty years of experience practicing environmental, regulatory, and natural resources law. She has a national reputation for her ability to influence environmental policies on behalf of her clients. She has been instrumental in the development of national and state regulatory programs and the drafting of environmental legislation. Kathy is the Team leader of the firm Environment, Social, Governance ("ESG") group of attorneys with experience and knowledge about how ESG impacts all aspects of business. She has also worked Environmental Justice issues with USEPA. Kathy is a senior attorney in a group of 15 experienced environmental lawyers and technical professionals. She is active in many industry trade groups and serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and chairs its Energy, Clean Air and Natural Resources Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and chairs its Environmental Committee. Kathy has served in a leadership role with the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources.  She is a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and is rated in Chambers USA. Kathy is a board member of the Black Diamond Council for the Girl Scouts serving multiple states.

Memberships & Awards

Professional
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Environment (2021 – Present)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Administrative / Regulatory Law (2021-Present), Energy Law (2011-Present), Environmental Law (2007), Government Relations Practice (2010-Present), Litigation - Environmental (2011-Present), Oil and Gas Law (2013-Present)
Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers 2017
Best Lawyers® 2021 Charleston, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Lawyer of the Year
Who’s Who Legal, International Environmental, 2017
Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, BV Distinguished, 2017
Selected for inclusion in "Who's Who in Energy," Pittsburgh Business Times, 2012
Phi Beta Kappa, 1985
West Virginia State Bar
Kentucky Bar Association
West Virginia Bar Association
American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Section
Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law, 2023

Key Experience

Worked with clients, community, and business leaders to expand the dialogue surrounding sustainability and ESG governance relative to environmental law, energy law and economic development in the Appalachian region
Work with policy leaders on implementation of Environmental Justice in Appalachia
Represented electric company and trade association in an intervention in support of the USEPA Affordable Clean Energy Rule before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

Work Experience

2013 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
1997-2013 Jackson Kelly PLLC
1988-1996 Robinson & McElwee

Speaking Engagements

“Sustainability in Chemical and Manufacturing Industry”, West Virginia Manufacturers Association, Marcellus Manufacturing and Development Conference, April 2020