Emma represents municipalities and industry clients on water quality, chemical contamination, and environmental regulatory compliance matters. Her practice includes the development and appeal of complex individual and general water quality permits, as well as advising clients on regulatory rulemaking and legislative initiatives.
Emma is a leading attorney in the regulation of persistent chemicals and emerging contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PFAS, and 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q), and in addressing nutrient loading challenges. She counsels clients on biosolids management, permit compliance, the evaluation and permitting of treatment alternatives, contaminant clean-ups, and cost recovery efforts. Emma frequently appears in state and federal courts in permitting disputes, regulatory challenges, and enforcement defense matters. She also represents clients before state environmental hearing boards.
Emma advises clients on environmental issues arising under federal and state law, including the Clean Water Act (CWA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and analogous state environmental statutes.
- Represented transportation business association in successful challenge of the 2025 Washington State Industrial Stormwater General Permit before the Pollution Control Hearings Board
- Represents municipalities with drinking water and wastewater facilities on water quality permitting and environmental review.
- Frequently represents national and local companies on citizen suits and agency enforcement actions under the federal Clean Water Act.
- Author, “PFAS in Wastewater and Biosolids”, The Water Report (October 15, 2024)
- Author, “Wastewater, Biosolids Come Under PFAS Regulation” (September 10, 2024)
- Author, “POTWs Required to Test for PFAS” (May 20, 2024)
- Author, “California Adopts Sweeping Climate Disclosure Laws” (January 8, 2024)
- Author, “New EPA Reporting Rule Covers Thousands of Products” (October 30, 2023)
- Author, “The Hodge approach is the best solution to California’s water disputes”, California Constitution Center (March 10, 2023)
- J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law (2023)
- B.A, University of California, Berkeley (2019)
- Washington State Bar
