Awards & Rankings 06.04.26
Pillsbury’s Standout Performance in 2026 Chambers USA Rankings Underscores Continued Excellence Across Industries and Disciplines
Firm Earned Recognition Across 60 Practice Areas, Including 26 National Rankings
Washington, DC-based Sheila Harvey ‘has considerable knowledge and expertise in regulatory and litigation matters’ and is a ‘trusted adviser.’
Sheila Harvey, Pillsbury’s former Global Energy Industry Leader, is an accomplished adviser on climate, energy and environmental policy and regulatory issues, as well as the impact of these policies and regulations on transactional and litigation matters.
A senior member of Pillsbury’s Environmental and Energy practices, Sheila has deep experience in environmental and climate change issues impacting the energy, heavy industry, mining and general manufacturing industries. Her broad practice includes federal and state regulatory counseling, compliance, audits, investigations and training; overseeing projects; advising on facility decommissioning; structuring and negotiating business and real estate transactions to address environmental concerns; and crisis management. She also represents clients in civil, criminal, private and government suits.
Representative Experience
- Counseled the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund and its affiliate ERP Compliant Fuels LLC regarding environmental obligations and carbon credits related to the purchase of certain bankrupt coal company assets.
- Guiding a client on how best to comply with various carbon-emissions-related rules, international reporting mandates and SEC disclosure requirements related to the impact of climate change on the company.
- Worked with energy industry/clean energy think tank to identify opportunities for industry decarbonization to identify the appropriate policy and regulatory approaches for same and identify policy initiatives to support the growth of a hydrogen economy.
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- Advised a global manufacturing company on U.S. DOE energy efficiency standards.
- Advised a global manufacturing company on environmental compliance issues and the impact of new regulatory programs and standards regulations on manufacturing operations and site remediation projects.
- Advising the developer of new nuclear power complex in Turkey on environmental issues, including the status of nuclear projects impacted by United Nations climate change convention agreements.
- Represented a large Fortune 200 manufacturer regarding site contamination, decommissioning and redevelopment issues, as well as litigation support for various claims related to the contamination at a manufacturing location, including:
- Represented the company in the initial enforcement action brought by the regulators to address significant contamination of the location and the off-site effects of the contamination.
- Advised on the standards for site remediation and the negotiation of remediation plans for the property.
- Counseled regarding claims against the prior owner and operator of the facility and supported the litigation against the seller of the business.
- Advised regarding claims brought against the company for damages associated with the off-site migration of the contamination, including property value diminution and personal exposure.
- Advised on the closure of the facility and positioning the facility for redevelopment.
- Counseled on the sales contract for the facility.
- Advised on the renegotiation of the site remediation plans based on the proposed change of use of the facility as part of the redevelopment plans and required changes to the pending consent order.
Professional Highlights
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Environment – DC (2008–2025) and recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. for Environmental Litigation (2015–2016) and Environmental Regulatory (2019).
- Member of Pillsbury’s team that won M&A Advisor’s 2015 “Deal of the Year” award for representing Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund in its $860 million purchase of bankrupt Patriot Coal assets.
- Leads Pillsbury’s Energy Industry team that works with all of the energy related practices in the firm to identify trends, identify new areas of practice and to ensure appropriate staffing of energy matters.
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- Honors & Awards
- Member of the Projects Team, Ranked in IJ Global – Three Top 20 League Tables for First of 2017 in North America (including Project Finance, Infrastructure Finance and Power Infrastructure Finance).
- Associations
- Environmental Law Institute
- American Bar Association
- Speaking Engagements
- “Why Hydrogen and Why Now,” A Video Series of Key Issues Driving Green Hydrogen, March 28, 2022.
- "Episode #25: The Energy Transition, Hydrogen and the Color Palette," The Pillsbury Industry Insights Podcast (December 11, 2020).
Education
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J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1979
A.B., Bryn Mawr College, 1976
summa cum laude
Admissions
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District of Columbia