Overview

Jonathan Kidwell is a partner in Kirkland’s global Environmental Practice Group with a focus on energy and infrastructure matters. Previously honored as both an “MVP of the Year” and a “Rising Star” by Law360, Jonathan is a “talented” lawyer according to Chambers and also recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” by Legal 500. Jonathan’s clients rely on him to identify, evaluate and strategically manage complex environmental, regulatory and permitting liabilities and opportunities, primarily in the context of corporate mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, energy and project finance transactions, financing transactions, real estate investments and corporate restructurings. Jonathan has extensive experience in the energy (conventional and renewable), power, waste management and solutions, manufacturing, chemical and mining sectors through his work on thousands of commercial transactions and several high-profile bankruptcy matters. Jonathan routinely advises clients on environmental regulatory risks and trends, identifies and assesses environmental risks and liabilities, coordinates due diligence, negotiates with regulatory agencies, manages consultants and technical experts, drafts and negotiates contracts and agreements, coordinates lender issues, negotiates environmental insurance coverage, coordinates environmental regulatory approvals and pursues resolution of cleanups and permitting, regulatory compliance and environmental liability issues.

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Thought Leadership

Seminars

Panelist, “Energy, Climate, ESG & Environmental Matters in Congress and the Biden Administration,” September 23, 2021.

Panelist, “Energy, Climate, ESG, Environmental and Tax Matters in the First 100 Days of the Biden Administration,” May 11, 2021.

Panelist, “Webinar: Energy, Climate and Environmental Matters in a Biden Administration,” November 19, 2020.

Presenter, “Colorado Senate Passes Oil and Gas Bill SB 181,” April 10, 2019.

Press Mentions

Quoted, “EPA's coal ash crackdown comes with a major caveat,” Green Wire, June 11, 2024.

Quoted, “Biggest Environmental Policy Actions To Watch In 2022,” Law360, January 3, 2022. 

Quoted, “How Biden Plans to Cut Methane Emissions,” Law360, September 17, 2021.

Quoted, “The Biggest Environmental Rulings of 2021: Midyear Report,” Law360, July 9, 2021.

Publications

Co-Author, “EPA Issues Four Final Rules Targeting Emissions From Power Plants,” May 20, 2024.

Co-Author, “PFAS Update: EPA Designates PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA,” April 29, 2024.

Co-Author, “PFAS Update: EPA Announces its First Enforceable and Final National Drinking Water Standards for Certain PFAS,” April 16, 2024.

Co-Author, “EPA Finalizes Long-Awaited, Extensive Rule Targeting Methane Emissions in Oil and Natural Gas Operations,” December 15, 2023.

Co-Author, “PFAS Update: EPA Releases New Final Reporting Rule Requiring 2011-2022 Data from Companies that Have Manufactured or Imported Products Containing PFAS,” November 6, 2023.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Co-Author, “Onshore Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Resumes,” April 2022.
 
 
 
 

Recognition

Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” by The Legal 500 U.S., 2024

Recognized in Chambers USA “Environment: Mainly Transactional (Texas) – Band 2,” 2024

Honored in Law360 as “MVP of the Year” for Environmental, 2021 

Honored in Law360 as “Rising Star” for Environmental, 2019

Recognized in The Legal 500 U.S. for Environment: Transactional, 2017–2024

Recognized in Lawdragon “500 Leading US Energy Lawyers,” 2023–2024

Recognized in Lawdragon500 Leaders in Environmental Law,” 2023–2024

Kirkland’s Texas Environmental Practice recognized as “Band 1” (Chambers

Kirkland’s Nationwide Environmental Practice recognized as “Band 1” (Chambers) and “Tier 1” (Legal 500)

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • Texas
  • District of Columbia
  • Massachusetts

Languages

  • English
  • German

Education

  • Notre Dame Law SchoolJ.D.cum laude2008
  • Yale UniversityB.A.2002