Visionary. Tenacious. Insightful.
Katherine Joyce is a seasoned attorney specializing in environmental and energy law.
On the energy side, Kat works with renewable energy developers and utilities on critical issues related to project management, rate structures, and implementation of state energy policies. On the environmental side, Kat works with energy and commercial development teams to manage environmental permitting, compliance, as well as strategic allocation of risk in mergers and acquisitions.
As Co-Chair of Bernstein Shur’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group, and a member of the firm’s Climate Change, Wind Energy, and Land Use Teams, she provides comprehensive legal support to clients navigating the complex landscape of federal and state permitting and regulatory compliance. Kat’s focus encompasses power plants, transmission lines, utility operations, and large-scale commercial/industrial developments, making her an invaluable asset to clients aiming to implement creative development strategies.
Every company I represent has a goal – a development, a sale, a financing – and my job is to take them through the regulatory processes and contracting processes to help them achieve their goal. My job is to get to yes.
What she's great at
Kat excels in providing clients with pragmatic, strategic advice to cut through the intricacies of environmental and energy regulations to the core issues, ensuring appropriate risk allocation, successful project development, and regulatory compliance.
Environmental & Energy Law:
- Permitting: navigating federal and state permitting processes for large scale development projects, including energy, aquaculture, and industrial developments
- Compliance: advising on and negotiating federal and state settlements related to compliance with ever-changing environmental regulations, including solid waste, site development and climate change policies
- M&A: conducting environmental diligence for financing, mergers, or acquisitions
- Utility law: advising generators and utilities on regulatory requirements, and representing them in front of the Public Utilities Commission where necessary
How she delivers
Kat combines her deep legal knowledge with a pragmatic approach, enabling clients to achieve their development goals efficiently. Her forthright demeanor and ability to “get the job done” have earned her a reputation as a reliable and effective legal advisor in the energy and environmental sectors.
Why you'll enjoy working with her
Clients value Kat’s strategic thinking, tenacity, and insightful guidance. Her collaborative approach and commitment to client success make her a trusted partner in navigating complex legal challenges.
Who she is off the clock
Outside of her legal practice, Kat is actively involved in her community, having served on the board of Camp Ketcha for several years, and participating in the West Point Parents Club of Maine. She enjoys staying active at the gym, visiting her grown children, playing with her two chocolate labs, and delving into theoretical physics during her leisure time.