Elizabeth B. Dawson
Overview
Elizabeth B. Dawson counsels clients in navigating the range of federal environmental and climate-related laws and regulations, helping them comment on and litigate agency rulemakings, pursue federal approvals, and defend against enforcement actions. In addition to administrative rulemaking advocacy, Ellie has briefed and argued these issues in federal courts around the country, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to the Western District of Washington. Ellie’s practice also offers clients legal guidance on a broad range of ESG and sustainability issues. Clients value her deep knowledge and immersion in ESG as well as her ability to break down complex risk into pragmatic business solutions.
Career & Education
- Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division
Trial Attorney, Environmental Defense Section, 2011–2017
- Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division
- Viterbo University, B.A., summa cum laude, Spanish/B.F.A. musical theatre, 2005
- Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, J.D., summa cum laude, Cornelius Honor Society, 2011
- District of Columbia
- Oregon
- Spanish
Elizabeth's Insights
Client Alert | 1 min read | 01.10.25
FAR Council Withdraws Proposed Mandatory Climate Disclosures for Federal Contractor Rule
Mandatory climate disclosures for US federal contractors are officially off the table—at least, for the foreseeable future. On January 10, 2025, the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that they are withdrawing a proposed rule, “Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk,” which would have required thousands of federal contractors to inventory and publicly disclose their Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and would also have required “major” contractors to also establish and validate GHG emission-reduction targets tailored to the goals of the Paris Agreement. The proposed rule, discussed in further detail here, was introduced in November 2022 and resulted in thousands of public comments from the government contractor community and beyond.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 11.14.24
Press Coverage | 11.01.24
Conservationists, Industry Assail Fuel Standards In D.C. Cir.
Press Coverage | 11.01.24
D.C. Circuit Panel Raises Range Of Concerns Over EPA’s RFS Set Rule
Recognition
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2023
Elizabeth's Insights
Client Alert | 1 min read | 01.10.25
FAR Council Withdraws Proposed Mandatory Climate Disclosures for Federal Contractor Rule
Mandatory climate disclosures for US federal contractors are officially off the table—at least, for the foreseeable future. On January 10, 2025, the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that they are withdrawing a proposed rule, “Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk,” which would have required thousands of federal contractors to inventory and publicly disclose their Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and would also have required “major” contractors to also establish and validate GHG emission-reduction targets tailored to the goals of the Paris Agreement. The proposed rule, discussed in further detail here, was introduced in November 2022 and resulted in thousands of public comments from the government contractor community and beyond.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 11.14.24
Press Coverage | 11.01.24
Conservationists, Industry Assail Fuel Standards In D.C. Cir.
Press Coverage | 11.01.24
D.C. Circuit Panel Raises Range Of Concerns Over EPA’s RFS Set Rule
Insights
The FYI on ESG: Not Your Average Acronym
|05.11.21
American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Trends Vol.52 No. 5
Biden Administration to Use Purchasing Power for Climate Change, Clean Energy Goals
|12.22.20
Bloomberg Law
"ESG in Energy, Trade and Supply Chain: Cleaner, Greener and More Responsible," ABA Houston Energy Conference
|02.27.24
DC Circuit Hears Challenge To Federal Rule That Lets Mines Dump Unlimited Waste
|01.16.24
Courthouse News
Biden’s Environmental Justice Push and Its Impact on Retailers’ ESG Considerations
|05.26.21
Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Elizabeth's Insights
Client Alert | 1 min read | 01.10.25
FAR Council Withdraws Proposed Mandatory Climate Disclosures for Federal Contractor Rule
Mandatory climate disclosures for US federal contractors are officially off the table—at least, for the foreseeable future. On January 10, 2025, the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that they are withdrawing a proposed rule, “Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk,” which would have required thousands of federal contractors to inventory and publicly disclose their Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and would also have required “major” contractors to also establish and validate GHG emission-reduction targets tailored to the goals of the Paris Agreement. The proposed rule, discussed in further detail here, was introduced in November 2022 and resulted in thousands of public comments from the government contractor community and beyond.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 11.14.24
Press Coverage | 11.01.24
Conservationists, Industry Assail Fuel Standards In D.C. Cir.
Press Coverage | 11.01.24
D.C. Circuit Panel Raises Range Of Concerns Over EPA’s RFS Set Rule