Amy Symonds is an Environment & Natural Resources Group associate 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.
Amy graduated with high honors from the George Washington University Law School as a member of the Order of the Coif and the George Washington Law Review. In 2014 and 2015 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.
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.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: District of Columbia, Maryland
Community Involvement and Pro Bono
- Capital Pro Bono High Roller Honor Roll, 2014
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2012
Speeches & Presentations
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"Key Issues in Data Compensation Arbitration," Pesticide Data Compensation and Protection in a Global Marketplace, Cary, NC
(April 5, 2018).
Presenter: Amy Symonds.
Publications
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"Legal Challenges in Establishing the Design Basis Threat as a Framework for Physical Protection and Security Response, in 3," INLA/AIDN Congress 2009 Proceeding 647
(2009).
Co-Author: Amy Symonds.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks – Chemical Regulation of 3D Printing,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(June 11, 2018).
Contacts: Amy Symonds, Michael Boucher
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"EPA Fines Increase. Again.,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(February 6, 2018).
Contacts: Amy Symonds, Michael Boucher
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"Out from Between a Rock and a Hard(rock) Place: EPA Declines to Pursue CERCLA Financial Assurance Rule for the Hardrock Mining Industry,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(December 20, 2017).
Contacts: Thomas A. Lorenzen, Edward M. Green, Preetha Chakrabarti, Amy Symonds