William Penny

Practice Areas

Environmental

Administrative & Regulatory

Alternative & Renewable Energy

Multifamily Housing

Career

As the chair of the firm’s Environmental Group, Bill Penny has a wide range of experience at the state and federal levels, including natural resource law, mining, remediation, negotiation with regulatory agencies in environmental matters, superfund litigation, RCRA matters, brownfield redevelopment, wetlands, water quality, radiological waste and compliance, and air pollution control. Bill regularly counsels clients on environmental compliance issues and represents businesses in permit appeals, enforcement, and advocacy before state environmental boards and agencies, including the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Bill’s practice also expands to include handling citizen suits that deal with the violation of agreements, regulatory and contractual law, and real estate matters.

He served as general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment and, subsequently, the Department of Environment & Conservation for more than eight years. In addition, Bill was the founder of the Environmental Law Section of the Tennessee Bar Association and was elected Chair of the Environment, Energy & Resources section of the American Bar Association from 2013-2014.

Armed with state government experience, Bill pursued a career in the legal profession to help people navigate whatever legal maze they are facing. With a civil-minded approach, Bill sees himself as part of his client’s team, offering them counsel in all the facets of environmental law. Working on each case from beginning to end, he loves the process of brainstorming with clients and other attorneys to come to a consensus on the best way forward.

When he’s not at work, Bill likes to attend the University of Tennessee sporting events.

Bill earned his J.D. from the Nashville School of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Environmental Energy and Resources Law Section

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Board of Directors

American Inns of Court, Harry Phillips Chapter

Nashville Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Founding Chair

Tennessee Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Founding Chair

Tennessee Bar Association, Environmental and Administrative Law Sections, Executive Committees

American Bar Association, Section of Environment Energy and Resources, Section Chair (2013-2014)

Personal

American Red Cross, Nashville Area Chapter

Belle Meade United Methodist Church, Chairman of the Administrative Board

Public Health Emergency Advisory Committee