William L. Thomas is counsel and head of the Environment, Health & Safety Practice at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP. Bill advises companies, financiers, developers and other enterprises on environmental law matters, including transactions, projects, and formulation of management and legal compliance strategy. He also handles litigation and disputes involving environmental, health and safety concerns. His expertise in international environmental law and policy matters includes analyzing risks and opportunities arising under regional and international environmental agreements, requirements under emerging EHS legal regimes and related international standards and codes of conduct, and legal aspects of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) matters. Bill is also highly regarded in the area of climate change law, policy and strategy. Specific experience in this field includes: conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) due diligence, applying carbon and other environmental standards and drafting and negotiating related provisions in transactional and financing documents in connection with mergers, acquisitions, financing of projects and other ventures. He also advises clients on international, federal and state GHG regimes and initiatives and counsels companies, utilities and financiers on emissions trading activities, GHG emission reduction projects, voluntary carbon market issues and related governance matters, including policies, management systems, disclosures, and offsetting activities. Bill is consistently ranked among the leading individuals practicing in the area of environmental law by Chambers USA (2020), The Best Lawyers in America, The International Who's Who of Environmental Lawyers, The Euromoney Energy and Environment Expert Guide, and Super Lawyers (DC), among others. In addition to his role as a Regent of the American College of Environmental Lawyers, Bill is a fellow in the American Bar Foundation and serves in a number of appointments, including the Leadership Council of the Environmental Law Institute and the External Advisory Board of the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan. and the Advisory Board of the Environmental Law Institute's Environmental Law Reporter.
Work Phone:
202.303.1210
Email:
wthomas@willkie.com
Website:
https://www.willkie.com/professionals/t/thomas-william-l
EPA Region:
Region 3 – (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV & 7 federally recognized tribes)
Degrees:
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1989
St. Olaf College, B.A., 1986
Admissions:
DC, NY