Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce that Kevin Desharnais has joined the firm’s Environmental practice as a partner in the Chicago office. Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, Desharnais was a partner at Mayer Brown LLP.

For more than 20 years, Desharnais’ practice has covered a broad range of environmental regulatory and compliance issues, including air and water permitting, management of hazardous substances, remediation of contamination, enforcement response and environmental litigation. He also handles negotiation of environmental provisions in the course of corporate and real estate transactions, including mergers, stock purchases, securitizations, debt offerings and credit transactions, as well as environmental issues in renewable energy transactions.

Prior to joining Mayer Brown, Desharnais served as counsel for the Illinois Pollution Control Board. In this role, he advised Board Members on enforcement actions, permit appeals, variance petitions and rulemakings under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, covering all environmental media.

“Kevin is an established environmental lawyer who not only knows the regulatory landscape in Illinois and the surrounding states but has an established national practice,” said Kevin Greene, Chair of the Energy and Regulatory Department.  “Kevin will play an important role in continuing to broaden the reach of the firm’s environmental practice. We are excited to have him join our team.”

“The greater Chicago area is home to many large manufacturing and industrial companies, along with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 office, which has enforcement authority over industrial sources in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin,” said Eileen King Bower, managing partner of the Chicago office. “Kevin’s experience in the region strengthens our ability to help clients in the Midwest navigate environmental compliance and enforcement issues.”

“I am impressed by the firm’s strong and innovative team approach to addressing client needs, as well as the depth and breadth of its environmental practice,” said Desharnais. “Troutman Sanders’ commitment to its clients is unmatched. I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues in Chicago.”

Desharnais obtained a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and his law degree and an Environmental Law Certificate from Pace University.