Colin Harris Joins FaegreBD, Will Co-lead Energy & Natural Resources Industry Team with FaegreBD Consulting's Andrew Wheeler

Veteran energy and environmental attorney Colin Harris has joined Faegre Baker Daniels as a partner in the environmental practice and will co-lead the firm’s national energy and natural resources industry team with Washington, D.C.-based FaegreBD Consulting principal Andrew Wheeler. Harris will practice out of the Boulder office.

FaegreBD’s energy and natural resources industry team is comprised of lawyers focusing on energy, natural resources and clean technology who have the breadth and depth of legal, commercial and policy expertise to serve clients who need comprehensive solutions to issues that arise in complex and heavily regulated industries.

Andrew Humphrey, FaegreBD’s managing partner, said, “Both Colin and Andrew are at the forefront of law and policy in the energy and natural resources industry and understand and can anticipate the complex challenges our clients face. Their backgrounds and reputations in this space make them ideally suited to lead our national industry team.”

Harris handles environmental, regulatory, enforcement, lands and policy matters affecting energy and natural resources companies. Currently he is defending a PHMSA regulated pipeline company, and a gathering pipeline operator, in a series of matters arising from nationally publicized pipeline ruptures in 2015. Experienced in the Clean Air Act, he is defending two upstream operators in a high-profile air quality enforcement initiative. Overall, he skillfully navigates the litigation, agency and regulatory headwinds facing upstream, midstream, refining, power, renewables and mining operators on air, water, public lands, climate, infrastructure and other issues. Harris is ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Natural Resources and Environmental. He speaks at national energy and environmental conferences, and has presented many papers at the prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute, where he has also served as a trustee. 

Wheeler leads the energy and environment practice group at FaegreBD Consulting where he employs his extensive background in energy, environmental and infrastructure policy. He advises numerous types of clients on comprehensive legislative, regulatory and operational strategies, and represents clients before Congress, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. His knowledge and insider understanding of the Senate, House and various federal agencies allows Andrew to develop tailored, comprehensive strategies that assist clients in realizing their federal affairs goals and build lasting relationships with key policymakers. Wheeler previously served as Majority Staff Director, Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Harris received a law degree from American University Washington College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado. Wheeler earn a law degree from Washington University School of Law, a master’s of business administration from George Mason University and a bachelor’s from Case Western Reserve University.