Akin Gump Appoints Climate Change and Sustainability Veteran Kenneth Markowitz as Partner in Washington
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Mr. Markowitz will co-lead the firm’s climate change group, focusing on advising clients on sustainability, ESG, environmental markets and clean energy matters
(Washington, D.C.) – Kenneth Markowitz, a veteran practitioner with more than three decades’ experience in environmental law and as an advisor on climate change and sustainability issues to companies, governments and environmental groups, has been named a partner in Akin Gump’s Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Markowitz will co-lead the firm’s climate change group.
Mr. Markowitz previously was a consultant for Akin Gump and has worked with the firm for 14 years. His practice focuses on advising leading domestic and international companies and organizations on a comprehensive range of legal and policy issues in relation to climate change; environmental, social and governance (ESG); and clean energy.
Commenting on the announcement, Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith stated, “I am thrilled that Ken has joined Akin Gump full-time as a partner. This move resonates particularly during a time when climate change is impacting every sector of the U.S. economy, and ESG has become one of the most pressing issues facing businesses today. Ken’s appointment as a partner is a reflection of his immense contributions to the strength and depth of our team as we continue to help our clients tackle the climate crisis and meet their sustainability and ESG goals.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Markowitz was the president and founder of Earthpace, a global advisory firm that provides legal and policy strategies for climate markets, emerging technologies and regulatory systems. He also serves on the board of directors—including as past board chair—of Verra, a leading certification body dedicated to promoting climate action and sustainability, which manages the primary greenhouse gas, or GHG, crediting program and registry for the voluntary carbon markets.
“Ken’s experience with both the public and private sectors gives him insight into the strategies necessary to overcome the complex environmental and sustainability challenges our clients are facing,” said David H. Quigley, the head of Akin Gump’s environment and natural resources practice. “He has a strong record of assisting our clients navigate the changing regulatory landscape and anticipate potential compliance and litigation issues associated with climate risk and the growing emphasis on ESG and climate-related disclosure requirements.”
Added Mr. Markowitz, “I joined Akin Gump with the launch of the firm’s climate change practice in 2007. Since then, I have collaborated with my colleagues to build a deep, multidisciplinary team prepared to respond to the pressing sustainability and climate-related issues and policies that continue to dominate global concerns. It’s a great honor to join Akin Gump’s partnership and help grow the firm’s exceptional cross-practice climate change and ESG groups.”
About Kenneth Markowitz
Mr. Markowitz continued to hold the role of Earthpace president while consulting at Akin Gump. From 2001-2015, he also served as managing director of the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE), a transgovernmental network of regulators, prosecutors, judges and NGOs seeking to strengthen compliance with environmental laws at all levels of governance. Through INECE, Mr. Markowitz worked with governments on a national and international basis to develop best practices on effective monitoring, reporting and verification in both regulatory and voluntary carbon markets; compliance with trading rules; and related transactional and litigation matters.
Prior to his tenures at Akin Gump and Earthpace, Mr. Markowitz served as a senior regional assistant counsel in Region III of the Environmental Protection Agency, where he received national recognition for his work on emergency response and oil spill prosecution.
Mr. Markowitz received his J.D. from the American University Washington College of Law (WCL) and his B.B.A. from Emory University, Goizueta (formerly Rich) Business School. A prolific author and speaker, Mr. Markowitz serves as an adjunct professor of environmental law at WCL.
About Akin Gump’s Environmental Work
Akin Gump’s environment and natural resource practice, part of the firm’s broader regulatory group, comprises experienced environmental lawyers with a powerful and effective combination of litigation, transactional, policy, and regulatory experience. The firm’s lawyers have deep knowledge and experience in counseling clients on compliance, defending against government and private enforcement actions and handling some of the most sophisticated transactional and regulatory matters. This experience extends to the significant and complex challenges our clients face as a result of climate change, including constantly evolving laws and regulations that require the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, impose a price on carbon and mandate the identification, disclosure and response to climate change risks. In addition, our globally integrated team assists clients develop forward-thinking ESG strategies to advance their sustainability commitments and respond to their shareholders and other stakeholders, including through robust governance programs, development of GHG and other environmental targets, and diversity and inclusion standards.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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