Clients turn to Aimee to strategically resolve environmental and energy issues with precision, deliberately assess risks and focus their resources on smart growth for the future.

Overview

Co-chair of the firm's Environmental practice group, Aimee understands state and federal environmental agencies and the legal authority under which they operate. Aimee's practice involves working with organizations to resolve environmental, energy and administrative law matters involving governmental agencies and third-parties. Her clients range from water, wastewater and electric utilities, primary aluminum producer, municipalities, groundwater management districts, and renewable energy transmission companies.

Aimee has over 20 years of experience resolving complex water disputes under the Clean Water Act. She also works with clients to implement Safe Drinking Water Act requirements and represents industrial clients in water quantity and use disputes under riparian and prior appropriation systems. She works closely with clients to delineate impacts, trace root causes and develop feasible remedies, combining regulatory and litigation strategies as necessary to achieve long-term results.

Prior to joining Stinson, Aimee served as deputy general counsel to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, advising the department in governance, contract, environmental and employment law matters. She also served as counsel for the Missouri Public Service Commission, advising commissioners and administrative law judges in rate, tariff and complaint cases.

In addition to co-chairing the firm's Environmental & Natural Resources practice group, Aimee is a member of Stinson's Infrastructure Task Force. Outside of her environmental and energy law practice, Aimee enjoys spending time with her family, supporting the arts and fighting poverty within her community.

Experience

Aimee's recent environmental/energy experience includes:

Representing a large groundwater management district in the Midwest to protect irrigation water rights from curtailment by interested state and federal agencies and third-party non-governmental organizations, with the goal of finding a long-term resolution involving augmentation and water rights transfer and retirement initiatives. 

Representing a global industrial client in appeals before the state resource agency to protect the company’s groundwater usage from curtailment at multiple facilities and to develop feasible conservation measures consistent with state's groundwater code.

Representing a national employer in a water rights appeal related to the state's regional groundwater management plan.

Assisting a North American rail company in resolution of state and federal natural resource damages claims Under the Oil Pollution Act and Clean Water Acts.

Representing a major groundwater district in resolution of National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act Administrative Procedure Act violations and state law claims brought by federal resource agency and non-governmental organization.

Representing private sewer and water companies in obtaining certificates of need and necessity.

Other

Assisting major airline company in obtaining general conformity determination from Federal Aviation Administration for National Environmental Policy Act review.

Assisting large developer and airport sponsor in obtaining categorical exclusion under National Environmental Policy Act from Federal Aviation Administration.

Assisting large Midwestern employer to resolve injunctive relief and penalty claims brought by state environmental agency under Clean Air Act.

Assisting large Midwestern employer to develop SIP Nonattainment Plan for submittal to state agency and Environmental Protection Agency.

Assisting several Midwestern utilities through NPDES permit negotiations to resolve issues related to tightening limits and coal ash ponds.

Defended large utility against state and federal claims involving territorial encroachment brought by adjoining local government. Achieved successful result for large utility in United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

Negotiating agency state and federal consent decrees, settlement agreements and administrative orders, permits and licenses.

Counseling organizations with respect to the day-to-day implementation of state and federal environmental requirements.

Assisting clients with Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Appealing claims under applicable administrative statutes where agency decisions are not consistent with state or federal law.

Advising boards, councils and commissions on issues regarding state open records law, rate impacts and implications from new regulations.

Assisting public and private clients in drafting and negotiating territorial agreements for the funding and sale of infrastructure.

Assisting local governments in detachment proceedings and inter-local agreements with neighboring utility providers where service boundaries are at issue.

News & Insights

Speaking Engagements

Aimee serves as an educational presenter on environmental issues for trade groups and nonprofit organizations and within higher education curricula.

"Managing PFAS Contamination," American Public Power Association, Pasadena, CA April 2023

"National Environmental Policy Act Developments," REGFORM Virtual Environmental Conference, April 2023  

"What to Expect When Expanding," Missouri Public Utility Alliance Water Seminar, Columbia, MO April 2023

"PFAS; Scratching the Surface," Missouri Water Seminar, Columbia, MO September 2021

"Top Ten Clean Water Act Issues," Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference, April 2021

“Waters of the United States,” Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference, April 2019

"Regional Water Panel: Operating in a New and Uncertain Regulatory Climate," Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference, April 2018

"Municipality Survival Kit," 2017 Missouri Water Seminar, Columbia, MO September 2017

"Waters of the United States," Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association Annual Conference, July 2016

"Clean Water Rule Developments," REGFORM Annual Water Seminar, September 2016

"Water Law Update," REGFORM Annual Water Seminar, September 2015

"Water Quality Regulation," Environmental Conference, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, July 2015

"Do You Speak Agency-Ese," REGFORM Water Seminar, September 2014

"Water Quality Standards – Past, Present and Future," Environmental Conference, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, July 31, 2014

"Leveraging Your Network," University of Missouri Women’s Leadership Conference, March 2014

Publications

Co-Author, "Water Pollution," Chapter 8 in Missouri Environmental Law, 2nd ed., The Missouri Bar

Recognitions

Recognitions

Environmental and Energy Law "POWER List," Missouri Lawyers Media, 2022, 2023

Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Environment, 2021-2023

Selected among the Best Lawyers in America®, 2012 - 2024

Selected for Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers© Rising Stars, 2012 - 2016

Selected for Columbia Business Times "20 Under 40," 2014

Selected among Missouri Lawyers Weekly's Up & Coming, 2013

Professional & Civic Activities

Professional & Civic Activities

Heart of Missouri United Way, Past President, Inclusion, Diversity and Past-Chair, Board of Directors

Mid-Missouri Woman's Law Association

Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, Board of Directors

The Missouri Bar, Environmental & Energy Law Committee, Past Chair and Vice-Chair

Boone County Bar

Vidwest Community Media Center, Board of Directors

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, J.D., 2001

Stephens College, B.A., 1998 

Jump to Page

We use cookies on our website to improve functionality and performance, analyze website traffic and enable social media features. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.