Tara M. Derbisz
Overview
As a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial lawyer, Tara brings a wealth of litigation experience to Crowell & Moring’s Environment and Natural Resources Group.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Tara practiced as a Trial Attorney within the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she served as first-chair counsel in natural resources litigation involving the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause and contracts issues before the Court of Federal Claims. Additionally, she previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska, and a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where she tried dozens of federal criminal matters.
Career & Education
- Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division
Trial Attorney, 2024
- Department of Justice: United States Attorneys' Office
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, 2022–2024
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, 2023
- Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division
- Senior Government Relations Legislative Analyst, Defenders of Wildlife, 2018–2020
- Litigation Fellow, The Humane Society of the United States, 2017–2018
- University of Maryland, College Park, B.A., in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2014
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2017
- Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service, Certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Emergencies, 2017
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Career Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, 2020–2022
- D.C. Bar
- American Bar Association
- Federal Circuit Bar Association
- Georgetown Environmental Law Review: Managing Editor, 2017
Tara's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25
On May 14, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced that it will keep the current National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (“NPDWR”) for perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), while extending the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. EPA further announced it plans to rescind requirements in those regulations applicable to other PFAS and mixtures of certain PFAS in drinking water. The NPDWR consists of legally enforceable primary standards and treatment techniques that apply to public water systems and guide EPA’s enforcement of the SDWA. This announcement follows EPA’s April 28, 2025 press release outlining its priorities for PFAS enforcement, which included 21 actions EPA intends to take to address PFAS and “engage with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that ensures the polluter pays and passive receivers are protected.”
Tara's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25
On May 14, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced that it will keep the current National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (“NPDWR”) for perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), while extending the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. EPA further announced it plans to rescind requirements in those regulations applicable to other PFAS and mixtures of certain PFAS in drinking water. The NPDWR consists of legally enforceable primary standards and treatment techniques that apply to public water systems and guide EPA’s enforcement of the SDWA. This announcement follows EPA’s April 28, 2025 press release outlining its priorities for PFAS enforcement, which included 21 actions EPA intends to take to address PFAS and “engage with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that ensures the polluter pays and passive receivers are protected.”
