Conrad Bolston

Conrad Bolston
Biography
Conrad Bolston leverages his combined experience in government and private practice to provide practical regulatory guidance, enhance compliance programs and mitigate legal and operational risks. His practice focuses on environmental and energy regulatory issues. He has advised a variety of domestic and international clients in navigating complex environmental regulatory challenges, from securing permits to conducting transactional due diligence, defending against enforcement actions and developing environmental justice strategies.
He maintains a broad practice spanning major federal environmental statutes including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), among other state and federal environmental laws.
Previously, Conrad served as Senior Counsel within the Office of General Counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where he reviewed environmental analyses and draft orders related to energy projects and led cross-office teams and consultants developing policy.
He served as a Judicial Clerk to the Honorable James R. Spencer (Ret.) at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 2013 to 2014.
Conrad is a former Defensive Tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Professional experience
Representative experience
Representative experience
- Defended clients in the transportation, construction and energy industries regarding enforcement actions and litigation alleging violations of federal and state laws, including EPA administrative proceedings, parallel Department of Justice civil and criminal cases, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) enforcement and white-collar investigations.
- Conducted environmental due diligence for energy sector M&A, infrastructure project financings, joint ventures and food industry acquisitions, identifying regulatory risks and legacy liabilities critical to deal valuation and structure.
- Assisted domestic and international clients in preparing for corporate monitorships and responding to debarment proceedings, successfully negotiating agreements to maintain federal contracting privileges and grant eligibility with the Office of Grants and Debarment.
- Counseled clients on certificate proceedings and environmental analyses before the FERC and multi-agency permitting in connection with several natural gas infrastructure projects.
- Conducted investigations and compliance audits addressing environmental violations, government contract irregularities and white-collar matters.
- Designed regulatory compliance training programs, strategic permitting approaches, and environmental justice policies for industrial clients seeking to address community concerns and ensure equitable project development in disadvantaged areas.
Rankings and recognitions
Rankings and recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch,” Litigation – Environmental, Best Lawyers, 2022-2023
- Legal 500 US, Environment: Litigation, Legal 500, 2021-2022
- Rising Star, The National Law Journal, 2022
Education
Education
- JD, Georgetown University Law Center, 2013
- BS, University of Maryland - College Park, 2009
Admissions
Admissions
- District of Columbia Bar
- Maryland State Bar
Speaking engagements
Speaking engagements
- Panelist, “Environmental Justice Seminar: What Comes Next?,” 100th Annual Convention, National Bar Association, Chicago IL, Summer 2025
- Panelist, “Striking the Right Balance: A View into the Commission’s Approach to Transmission Reform,” Special Institute on Siting Renewable Energy Projects and Transmission Infrastructure, The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Westminster, CO, Summer 2025
- Guest Lecturer, “Effective Regulation of Public Utilities,” Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, Spring 2025
- Guest Lecturer, “Dealmaking and Strategy for a Changing Climate,” University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA, Spring 2025
- Guest Lecturer, “Political and Social Environment of the Multinational Firm - ESG,” The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Fall 2023
Memberships and activities
Memberships and activities
- American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (ABA SEER)
- National Bar Association (NBA)
- District of Columbia Bar, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Committee (DC EENR)