Shennie Patel
Overview
Shennie Patel, a former Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section, represents corporate and individual clients in environmental defense and natural resources litigation, internal investigations, regulatory compliance assistance, and related white-collar cases. Shennie counsels clients on large-scale, complex environmental enforcement defense strategies on both the civil and criminal sides, providing advice in responding to government investigations and inspections from federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Labor. She works on issues regarding key provisions of environmental laws including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, and the Endangered Species Act.
Career & Education
- Department of Justice
Environmental Crimes Section, Trial Attorney, 2009 — 2023 - Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Major Crimes, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2008 — 2009 - Department of Justice: National Security Division
Office of Intelligence, Attorney-Advisor, 2005 — 2008 - Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division
Special Litigation and Housing Sections, Trial Attorney, 2002 — 2005 - U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Attorney, 2001 — 2002
- Department of Justice
- Associate, Federal Litigation- Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson P.C., 1998-2000.
- University of Houston, B.A., cum laude, sociology/anthropology, 1991
- University of Houston Law Center, J.D., Recipient, Dean’s Scholarship, 1996
- District of Columbia
- Texas (Inactive)
- Law Clerk to Judge Lucius D. Bunton, III, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, 1998
I pride myself on being able to demystify the environmental enforcement process, criminal or civil, for non-prosecutors, and I look forward to working with clients so they understand what agency investigators and prosecutors are looking for, and how to handle negotiations with the government. Crowell offers a great opportunity to bring my public service experience to the table and make sure clients are prepared.
— Shennie Patel
Shennie's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 02.14.24
New Jersey Sets the Stage as the First State to Mandate Recycling of EV Batteries
Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.06.24
EPA Continues to Push Toward Regulation of PFAS By Proposing Two More New Rules Under RCRA
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar
Recognition
- U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Special Achievement Awards from the Attorney General, 2015, 2014; Outstanding Performance Rating Awards from the Attorney General, 2015, 2012, 2010
- U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division, Meritorious Award from the Attorney General, 2007; Special Achievement Award from the Attorney General, 2007
- U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Commendation Award from the U.S. Attorney, 2010
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bronze Medal for Commendable Service, 2014
- Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Award of Excellence, 2019
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police Department, Superintendent’s Letter of Appreciation, 2014
- U.S. Coast Guard, Meritorious Public Service Award, 2013
- U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Special Act / Service Award, 2001
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Special Service Awards, 1997, 1998
Clerkship
- Law Clerk to Judge Lucius D. Bunton, III, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, 1996-1998.
Shennie's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 02.14.24
New Jersey Sets the Stage as the First State to Mandate Recycling of EV Batteries
Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.06.24
EPA Continues to Push Toward Regulation of PFAS By Proposing Two More New Rules Under RCRA
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar
Insights
Shennie's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 02.14.24
New Jersey Sets the Stage as the First State to Mandate Recycling of EV Batteries
Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.06.24
EPA Continues to Push Toward Regulation of PFAS By Proposing Two More New Rules Under RCRA
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar
