Overview
Brian Ferrasci-O’Malley is an environmental and natural resources attorney whose practice spans both transactional work and litigation. Based in Seattle, he regularly advises clients across the United States on energy development and federal wildlife law issues, including matters under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Companies with contaminated properties look to Brian to help litigate cases and manage risk. He represents clients in state and federal litigation, as well as in complex, multi-party allocation processes. Brian has particular experience with natural resource damages (NRD) matters under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA). Prior to joining Nossaman, Brian was an attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor, where he managed a nationwide docket of NRD cases under CERCLA and OPA. Clients rely on the knowledge Brian has gained working on project-specific and policy-level NRD matters to help solve their own difficult NRD issues.
Municipalities and other entities with complicated regulatory matters benefit from Brian’s years of experience coordinating with numerous federal, state, and tribal entities. Brian also draws on his training as a scientist and environmental consultant to help clients achieve their goals. He holds undergraduate and graduate scientific degrees and, prior to practicing law, he worked as an environmental consultant directing habitat restoration and community-based conservation projects across Washington State and Montana. Brian began his legal career as an associate at a boutique environmental law firm in Seattle.