Former Chair of TX Commission on Environmental Quality Joins Vinson & Elkins

Vinson & Elkins today announced that Jon Niermann has joined the firm as an Austin-based partner in the firm’s Environmental practice.

Niermann served as chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) from 2018 to 2024, having originally been appointed a commissioner in 2015. The commission he chaired is responsible for taking final action on permitting, enforcement and rulemaking matters and for overseeing the agency’s approximately 2,800 employees in implementing state and federally delegated environmental laws. He also served as chief of the Environmental Protection Division at the Texas Attorney General’s Office before being appointed to TCEQ.

Niermann has held national leadership roles, including president of the Environmental Council of States, a national nonpartisan organization of the top environmental regulators from each of the 50 states, which aims to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders nationwide.

“Jon will be a great addition to our industry-leading Environmental practice” said Vinson & Elkins Chair Keith Fullenweider. “We look forward to Jon providing strategic advice to our clients on a variety of permitting and related matters.”

“Jon’s stature and credibility among environmental regulators nationally, along with his knowledge of permitting regimes in key states for project development, will prove invaluable to our clients,” said Vinson & Elkins Partner Ron Tenpas, chair of the firm’s Environmental practice. “Few people can match Jon’s understanding of the strategies and arguments that are likely to win the day with regulators and allow companies to effectively manage their environmental risks and responsibilities.”

At Vinson & Elkins, Niermann will handle a wide range of matters, including counselling project developers on permitting issues and timelines; defending enforcement actions; helping companies manage their water rights; and guiding compliance with air, water, emerging contaminant, and other environmental regulations.

“After deciding to return to private practice, I concluded that Vinson & Elkins offered the perfect combination of sophisticated work, a premier client base, and a culture that values the sort of civility and collaboration I have been fortunate to enjoy throughout my career,” Niermann said. “I greatly valued my time in public service and am now looking forward to turning the page and teaming with my new colleagues to help companies achieve their business objectives.”

Before entering public service, Niermann was an environmental attorney at a major national law firm. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Oregon.

Vinson & Elkins environmental lawyers have a track record of strategically partnering with clients in complex, contested litigation, regulatory, and commercial matters to achieve the clients’ business, litigation, or regulatory compliance objectives. Chambers USA 2024 ranked the firm’s Environmental practice among the best in the nation, and all of the team’s partners featured in Lawdragon’s 2024 Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law directory.