Barrientos Selected as Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers

04.07.2026

Stinson LLP Partner Brittany Barrientos has been selected as a fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL), a distinguished association of leading practitioners in environmental law.

Barrientos is one of 19 attorneys elected this year. ACOEL fellows are chosen through an invitation-only process that recognizes lawyers who have demonstrated excellence in environmental law and have made meaningful contributions to the field through practice, scholarship and service.

"On behalf of the fellows, I am delighted to welcome the class of 2026 to the College," said ACOEL President Alexandra Dapolito Dunn. "The addition of these 19 accomplished attorneys will increase the strength and depth of the ACOEL bench. This class represents the best of the best across the United States, and includes our third international fellow."

Barrientos advises clients on a wide range of environmental, health and safety matters, with experience spanning regulatory compliance, enforcement defense and transactional support. Her work includes counseling on requirements under major federal environmental statutes such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, as well as hazardous waste and chemical regulations, alongside state and federal frameworks. She also regularly represents clients in OSHA-related matters, including inspections, citations and workplace safety compliance.

Her practice is defined by a cross-disciplinary approach that allows her to identify risks and solutions across environmental media and regulatory regimes. She frequently works with clients in highly regulated industries, including energy, manufacturing, chemical production and real estate, and is closely engaged with emerging regulatory issues such as PFAS and other evolving contaminants. In addition to her client work, Barrientos actively monitors and analyzes proposed regulations, providing strategic guidance on their potential impact.

"Being selected as a fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers is incredibly exciting and a tremendous honor," said Barrientos. "When I started in environmental law, I had no idea how much it would evolve in complex and important ways, and I am so proud to be elected into such a respected group of practitioners so I can keep evolving too."

Outside of her practice, Barrientos is also actively involved in civic leadership, including service with organizations focused on advancing diversity in the legal profession and strengthening the Kansas City community. She has held leadership roles with numerous local and national organizations, including her current work as the Board Chair of The Beacon, Kansas City's nonprofit newsroom, and maintains an active presence in national legal leadership initiatives.