Education

  • University of Maryland, College Park, B.S. (2008) cum laude
  • The George Washington University Law School, J.D. (2011) with high honors, Order of the Coif

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
+1.202.624.2536

Amy Symonds is an Environment & Natural Resources Group counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Her practice primarily focuses on assisting clients with pesticide and chemical regulation and litigation matters. She also focuses on general environmental and administrative law issues.

In her pesticide practice, Amy has assisted both task forces and individual companies by explaining complex state and federal regulatory requirements, drafting contracts for the transfer of pesticide registrations and data, and identifying and mitigating data protection concerns when submitting pesticide data to or relying upon pesticide data in foreign countries. She has represented both data submitters and follow-on registrants in arbitrations regarding data compensation claims involving pesticide data submissions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Amy also defends pesticide companies in enforcement actions brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In her chemicals practice, Amy has assisted clients ranging from petrochemical companies and traditional chemical manufacturers to automobile and computer parts manufacturers. She has developed processes for her clients to identify and address applicable Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirements, and advised clients regarding their obligations to report under TSCA’s chemical data reporting rule in complex factual scenarios.

Amy has conducted audits for her clients to determine and perfect compliance with FIFRA, TSCA, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). She has also assisted clients with various matters arising under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Animal Welfare Act, and the Federal Select Agent Program. Amy has worked with clients to address the release of documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

During law school, Amy was a member of the Order of the Coif and the George Washington Law Review. In 2014-2021 she was named a “Rising Star” by Washington, DC, Super Lawyers.

Prior to entering private practice, Amy assisted the general counsel of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in presenting policies regarding the protection of nuclear power plants against external threats. During her time at the NRC, she also advised the general counsel on communications with persons suspected of misuse of nuclear materials.


Recognition

Community Involvement and Pro Bono

  • Capital Pro Bono High Roller Honor Roll, 2014 
  • Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2012

Representative Matters

  • Representation of numerous original pesticide registrants in prosecuting data compensation claims involving pesticide data submissions under FIFRA.
  • Representation of follow-on pesticide registrants in defending data compensation claims involving pesticide data submissions under FIFRA.
  • Assisted clients by detailing the regulatory and civil liability implications of licensing, manufacturing, and distributing seeds bred for pesticide tolerance.
  • Representation of multiple automobile manufacturers in TSCA compliance audits regarding chemical byproducts produced during operation of their facilities.
  • Submitted written comments to EPA on proposed rules regarding the regulation of certain chemical substances under TSCA.
  • Submitted written comments to federal agencies on the issuance of an incidental harassment authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
  • Representation of importer and distributor of bed bug products in a successful settlement with the EPA regarding violations of FIFRA and in developing a system for future compliance with FIFRA while maintaining sales.
  • Advised clients regarding the regulation of pesticides and chemical substances under various state laws, including California's Proposition 65, general California pesticide regulations, New York pesticide regulations, and Pennsylvania regulations of controlled and listed non-controlled substances.
  • Representation of oil company clients in lawsuits under CERCLA against the U.S. government regarding historic oil refinery contamination.

Speeches & Presentations

  • "PFAS Litigation and Regulation – Past, Present, and Future," American Bar Association Webinar (December 20, 2022). Panelist: Amy Symonds.
  • "2022 Pesticide Regulation Workshop," Household & Commercial Products Association, Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2022). Speakers: Michael Boucher, Peter Gray, Warren Lehrenbaum, and Amy Symonds.
  • "FIFRA Data Compensation: The Basics and Key Issues," Pesticide Data Compensation and Protection in a Global Marketplace Workshop, Cary, North Carolina. (April 7, 2022). Speakers: Peter Gray and Amy Symonds.
  • "At the Forefront of Data Compensation," Pesticide Data Compensation and Protection in a Global Marketplace Workshop, Cary, North Carolina. (April 7, 2022). Speakers: Warren Lehrenbaum and Amy Symonds.
  • "Pesticides 101: Understanding the Pesticide Regulatory Process," American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) Webinar (October 21, 2021). Speaker: Amy Symonds.
  • "Regulatory Challenges Facing Pesticide Devices," Crowell & Moring Webinar (April 8, 2021). Presenters: Warren Lehrenbaum and Amy Symonds.
  • "What trends are emerging from the newest round of state and local COVID-related orders and what are the implications for employers?" Crowell & Moring Webinar (December 9, 2020). Presenters: Thomas F. Koegel, Kris D. Meade, Katie Erno, Rina M. Gashaw, and Amy Symonds.
  • "Election 2020: Environmental Law and Policy," Crowell & Moring Webinar (October 28, 2020). Presenters: David Chung, Robert Meyers, Byron R. Brown, Paul Freeman, Amanda Shafer Berman, Elizabeth B. Dawson, and Amy Symonds.
  • "Importing and Exporting Pesticides," HCPA Pesticide Regulations Webinar Series (October 15, 2020). Presenter: Amy Symonds.
  • "FIFRA Data Compensation: The Basics and Key Issues," Pesticide Data Compensation and Protection in a Global Marketplace, Cary, North Carolina (March 24, 2020). Presenters: Peter Gray and Amy Symonds.
  • "At the Forefront of Data Compensation," Pesticide Data Compensation and Protection in a Global Marketplace, Cary, North Carolina (March 24, 2020). Presenters: Warren Lehrenbaum and Amy Symonds.
  • "Key Issues in Data Compensation Arbitration," Pesticide Data Compensation and Protection in a Global Marketplace, Cary, NC (April 5, 2018). Presenter: Amy Symonds.
  • “The New Updates to TSCA,” Household & Commercial Products Association Webinar (June 20, 2016). Co-Presenters: Michael Boucher and Amy Symonds.

Publications


Client Alerts & Newsletters


Press Coverage


Firm News & Announcements

September 20, 2019 Super Lawyers Recognizes 82 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Across United States
January 3, 2019 Crowell & Moring Elects Eight New Partners and Promotes 21 Associates to Counsel