Vassar, Nathan E.
Principal
(512) 322-5867
Nathan’s practice is influenced by his experience in the state house and his background in both regulatory compliance and environmental litigation. He focuses on regulatory compliance, water resources development, and water quality matters, addressing permitting and enforcement, and when necessary, litigation. Nathan regularly appears before state and federal agencies, as well as courts across the state and region. Prior to joining Lloyd Gosselink, Nathan worked in commercial litigation at a boutique Dallas firm, achieving successful results for clients in a wide array of business disputes, including environmental litigation. He also draws upon his background in policy and work with administrative agencies from his time as a Legislative Director for a State Senator. During law school, Nathan interned for then-Circuit Court Judge Neil M. Gorsuch of the United States Tenth Court of Appeals.
- Admitted to State Bar of Texas
- Admitted to U.S. District Courts for Western, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas
- J.D., with honors, University of Texas School of Law
- B.A., University of Virginia
- Represents clients in environmental enforcement litigation, including Clean Water Act administrative order/Consent Decree negotiations
- Addresses clients' water permitting/water supply needs
- Evaluates client compliance with federal and state environmental regulations
- Pre-trial discovery, motions practice, and hearing experience
- Co-author, "Strategic Planning: Texas Water Law Evolves to Meet Rapid Growth in Demand," The Texas Bar Journal, Volume 86, January 2023
- Author, "Maui Supreme Court Case and Its Impact on Discharge Permitting," WEAT Central Texas Section, May 2020
- Author, "What's In a Name - WOTUS Transition to Navigable Waters Protection Rule: EPA Moves to Finalize Rule," Texas WET, Issue 2, 2020
- Author, "Early Holiday Present? - Executive Order Issued Regarding Transparency and Consistent Inspection Practices," Texas WET, Issue 6, 2019
- Author, "The Untimely SEP Death in Federal Enforcement Cases," Texas WET, Issue 5, 2019
- Author, "(Almost) Three Years of Cooperative Federalism: State-Federal Implementation Update," Texas WET, Issue 4, 2019
- Author, "EPA Issues Interpretive Statement on Groundwater Discharges and Permitting," Texas WET, Issue 3, 2019
- Speaker, "Reuse Realities: Federal and State Regulatory Updates Water Rights/Water Quality," 8th Annual Water Reuse in Texas Conference: Extending Our Water Frontier, McAllen, Texas, May 2019
- Panelist, "Update on the 86th Texas Legislative Session," Water Environment Association of Texas Webinar, March 2019
- Speaker, "WOTUS Worries: How the New Definition May Impact Your Projects," TWCA Annual Convention, Bastrop, Texas, March 2019
- Speaker, "Infiltration and Inflow: Regulatory Point of View," I&I ElimiNATION Conference, Ft. Worth, January 2019
- Author, "Window of Opportunity for Infrastructure Priorities Push," Texas Wet, Issue 2, 2019
- Author, "DOJ Memo Indicates Potential Changes to Federal Enforcement," Texas Wet, Issue 1, 2019
- Author, "Bringing Home the Importance of Water Quantity/Quality," Texas Wet, Issue 6, 2018
- Author, "Federal Shift to Compliance Initiatives (and Away from Enforcement Initiatives?)," Texas Wet, Issue 5, 2018
- Author, "Water Contracting Options: Finding the Right Structure for Your Needs," Confluence, November 2018
- Panelist, "Top CWA Enforcement Developments of the Year," NACWA Conference, San Diego, November 2018
- Speaker, “Averting Downpipe Scrutiny: Water Quality Approaches and Strategies to Avoid Enforcement,” EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 2018
- Author, "Conservation Efforts: Meeting Regulators' and Customers' Needs While Extending Supplies," Confluence, July 2018
- Water Supply Planning Series: Article series focusing on strategic water planning tools
- Author, "Federal Rule Forthcoming on Blending Practices," Texas Wet, Issue 4, 2018
- Author, "Needs and Water Portfolio Management Opportunities," Confluence, April 2018
- Author, "EPA Considering Updating Position on Discharges to Groundwater," Texas Wet, Issue 3, 2018
- Author, "DOJ Directive Changes Federal Water Enforcement Practices," Texas Wet, Issue 1, 2018
- Author,"Enforcement Expectations and Opportunities in 2018," Texas Wet, Issue 6, 2017
- Author, "Force Majeure - Claiming Use of Force Majeure in Light of Unexpected Circumstances," Texas Wet, Issue 5, 2017
- Author, "Water Quality and Force Majeure Considerations in Significant Weather Events," Confluence, November 2017
- Speaker, "There's a New Sheriff in Town - Enforcement Developments," NACWA National Water Enforcement Workshop, Savannah, Georgia, November 2017
- Author, "Enforcement Trends and Developments: Strategies for Compliance and Success Under the New Administration," Texas Wet, Issue 2, 2017
- Speaker, "Legislative Privelege: Protections and Cautions," TCAA Summer Conference, June 2017
- Speaker,"Navigating Uncertain Waters: Compliance Strategies in the New EPA," NACWA Hot Topics in Clean Water Law Webinar, June 2017
- Speaker,"Untangling Reuse Regulations: State/Federal Limitations and Opportunities for Reuse Projects," 2017 Water Reuse in Texas Conference, El Paso, Texas, May 2017
- Co-Author,"Presumed Compliant? Meeting Twenty-First Century Combined Sewer Overflow Goals with (or without) the Presumptive Approach," Natural Resources and Environment, Spring 2017
- Speaker,"Water/Wastewater Enforcement in the New EPA," Texas Water Conservation Association Annual Conference, March 2017
- Speaker,"Intersection of Federal Water Law and State Rights," TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar: Waves of Change, January 2017
- Speaker, "Effective Negotiation Strategies for Clean Water Act Negotiations," NACWA Clean Water Act Consent Decree Workshop, November 2016
- Speaker,"Enforcement and Consent Decree Developments," NACWA Clean Water Act Consent Decree Workshop, November 2016
- Speaker, "Integrated Planning Workshop," EPA Region VI/NACWA/TACWA/WEAT/WEF, October 2016
- Panelist, "New Spill Reporting Rule - Knowing When and How to Use It," Water Environment Association of Texas Webinar, October 2016
- Co-Author, "Texas Agency Structure Chapter," Thomson Reuters Texas Environmental Law Treatise (2017 Update)
- Speaker, "Stormwater-Wastewater Nexus: Compliance Planning to Avoid Enforcement," EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference, October 2016
- Speaker, "Passing the Salt: Desalination Brine Disposal Challenges," 2016 Texas Desal Conference, September 2016
- Speaker,"Life After SB 912: The Future of Clean Water Act Compliance and Enforcement," CMOM 2016 Workshop, August 2016
- Speaker, "Back to Eden: A Review of the Draft Flow Alteration Guidance from EPA-USGS," Texas Water Conservation Association 2016 Mid-Year Conference, June 2016
- Co-Author, "Water Supply Planning Opportunities: Exempt Interbasin Transfers," The Lone Star Current, January 2016
- Speaker, "Clean Water Rule Under the Microscope: Permitting, Enforcement, and Litigation Update,\\\" Texas WEAT Section Meeting, January 2016
- Speaker, "Modern Challenges and Opportunities in Water Resource Planning and Water Quality" Texas A&M - Kingsville, October 2015
- Speaker, "Water Worries? Energy Permitting and Enforcement After the New Clean Water Rule,\\\" Houston Association for Professional Landmen Fall Seminar, October 2015
- Speaker, "Pass the Salt: Desalination Brine Disposal Challenges," Texas Water Conservation Association 2015 Mid-Year Conference, June 2015
- Speaker and Moderator: "Key Wet Weather Consent Decree Issues: Modification/Implementation," NACWA 2015 Wet Weather Consent Decree Workshop, April 2015
- Author, "Managing Regulators' Honey-Do Lists: Integrated Planning for Clean Water Act Compliance," Texas WET, Water Environment Association of Texas, September/October 2014
- Speaker, "Mixing Oil and Water: The Importance of H20 to Energy Development," AAPL Texas Land Institute, September 2014
- Speaker, "Blue Paydirt: The Importance of Water to Texas Energy Development," Ninth Annual Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Symposium, February 2014
- Speaker, "Federal Water Quality Enforcement and Integrated Planning," Texas Water Conservation Association Annual Convention, March 2014
- Speaker, "Managing Regulators' Honey-Do Lists," CMOM 2014 Workshop, August 2014
- Author, "Preparing for the Scrutiny of Uncle Sam: Federal Clean Water Act Enforcement - Coming to a City Near You," Confluence, Texas Water Conservation Association, Fall 2013
- State Bar of Texas
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section
- Austin Bar Association
- Texas Water Conservation Association
- National Association of Clean Water Agencies
- Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies
- Water Environment Association of Texas
- Co-Chair: WEAT Governmental Affairs Committee
- Austin Steering Committee - University of Texas School of Law
- Mentor - University of Texas School of Law Mentorship Program
- Trustee - WaterReuse Texas (2019-present)
- Former Board Member and Zoning Chair, Allandale Neighborhood Association
- Selected to the Texas Rising Star List, Thomson Reuters: 2019
Before practicing law, Nathan worked in the halls of the statehouse as a Legislative Director. Nathan’s background in lawmaking and legislative advocacy is in full use as an attorney, but also extends to his personal interests. As a product of state politics with a keen interest in history, his travel itineraries frequently include stops at other state capitols and historic sites. A sports enthusiast, Nathan enjoys visiting sports stadiums, particularly in college football, basketball, and Major League Baseball. Among other interests, Nathan enjoys running, trying new barbeque restaurants, and spending time with his family.
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