Five BBK Attorneys Named 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers – The Green 500

Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) Partners Joseph Byrne, Eric Garner, Shawn Hagerty, Charity Schiller, and Alisha Winterswyk have been honored as part of the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers – The Green 500. The Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers – The Green 500 recognizes individuals whose work drives change for sustainability and environmental preservation.

Joseph Byrne is the practice group leader of BBK’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources and Special Districts practice groups. He has extensive experience in water law and government strategy, including his role as general counsel to several major water agencies and contractors. Byrne’s leadership in advising public and private sector clients on water supply, policy, and regulatory issues, combined with his significant contributions to California’s water policy as a former member and chair of the California Water Commission, underscores his knowledge and impact in the field.

Eric Garner, a member of BBK’s Water and Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice groups, has more than three decades of experience in groundwater law.  He has represented major adjudications like the Santa Maria and Antelope Valley groundwater cases.  Garner is one of the leading attorneys who has provided the guidance and knowledge to establish and maintain California’s water laws. Furthermore, Garner’s contributions to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and international work advising on water law in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, highlight his outstanding influence on water policy and management worldwide.

Shawn Hagerty, a member of BBK’s Water and Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice groups, has experience in water quality and supply law and a deep understanding of the intersection between land use and water. Hagerty’s work advising public agencies on complex federal and state regulations, including the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, alongside his role as city attorney for the City of Santee, showcases his exceptional ability to navigate and implement large-scale water projects while ensuring compliance with critical environmental laws.

Charity Schiller is also a member of BBK’s Water and Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice groups and has experience navigating complex environmental laws for infrastructure and development projects with a focus on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, as well as experience defending clients against land use and environmental litigation, Schiller has successfully helped both public and private clients secure entitlements for a wide range of projects, from residential and commercial developments to large-scale renewable energy and transportation infrastructure.

Alisha Winterswyk, a member of BBK’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice group, has in-depth knowledge of environmental regulation and compliance, with a particular emphasis on CEQA and NEPA A trusted advisor on a broad range of environmental laws, Winterswyk has successfully guided public and private clients through the complexities of environmental compliance, land use regulations, and litigation, ensuring projects meet both legal and environmental standards while defending her clients’ interests in court.

Read Lawdragon’s full 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers – The Green 500 guide here.