Ali Abazari
Experience
- Administrative
- Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)
- Energy Regulation & Governmental Affairs
- Environmental Compliance & Enforcement
- Environmental Due Diligence
- Mining & Reclamation
- Permitting
- Power Generation
- Remediation & Property Redevelopment
- Renewable Energy
- Superfund
- Waste
- Water
Biography
Ali Abazari is a partner in Jackson Walkerâs Environmental Practice with more than 20 years of experience advising energy, industrial, mining, utility, manufacturing, renewable, and real estate clients on complex environmental and natural resources matters. He guides clients through permitting, compliance, enforcement defense, rulemaking petitions, and environmental risk management for both ongoing operations and large-scale projects.
Aliâs work spans the full life cycle of environmental issues, helping clients obtain critical permits, resolve regulatory disputes, and manage environmental risks in corporate and real estate transactions. He regularly represents companies before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Railroad Commission of Texas, and other state and federal agencies.
His practice includes:
- Contested Permitting and Administrative Hearings: Representing clients in complex contested cases, including TPDES wastewater discharge permits, Texas Land Application Permits (TLAPs), Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCNs), and mining permits under SMCRA, as well as enforcement actions.
- Renewable Energy Development and Siting: Advising solar, wind, and battery storage developers on environmental due diligence and permitting risks, including Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, Clean Water Act Section 404 jurisdictional determinations, cultural resource reviews, and wetlands and habitat considerations.
- Underground Injection Control (UIC) and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Guiding industrial and energy clients through UIC permitting for Class II and Class VI wells, including Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), disposal wells, and CCUS projects, covering site characterization, monitoring, corrective action, and closure requirements.
- Environmental Risk Management in Transactions & Remediation: Conducting environmental due diligence for mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and real estate transactions nationwide, evaluating site contamination, assessing regulatory compliance, and allocating liability. He possesses significant experience with brownfield redevelopment, voluntary cleanup programs, and remediation projects.
- Rulemaking and Policy Advocacy: Preparing and filing rulemaking petitions and regulatory comments on various environmental regulations, including TLAPs, UIC well permitting, waste management, mining reclamation, and renewable energy siting rules.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Ali served in the Litigation Division of TCEQ, where he handled enforcement actions and provided regulatory guidance for remediation programs, including petroleum storage tanks, corrective action, and voluntary cleanup initiatives. His background also includes contributing to the development of environmental laws and regulations at both state and federal levels.
Education
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
LL.M., Tulane University Law School
J.D., Oklahoma City University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
- Contested Permitting and Administrative Hearings – Represents clients in complex contested cases, including TPDES wastewater discharge permits, TLAPs for biosolids and wastewater land application, CCN and utility rate proceedings involving budget and cost allocation disputes, mining permits and reclamation plans under SMCRA, and enforcement actions before TCEQ, EPA, and the Railroad Commission of Texas.
- Renewable Energy Project Siting – Advises solar, wind, and battery storage developers on environmental due diligence and permitting risks, including ESA compliance obligations, wetlands and jurisdictional waters under the CWA, and cultural resource reviews impacting project development.
- Rulemaking and Policy Development – Prepares and files rulemaking petitions and regulatory comments on TLAPs, UIC well permitting, waste management, mining reclamation, and renewable energy siting rules.
- Property Transactions and Remediation – Conducts environmental due diligence for M&A and real estate transactions nationwide, assessing site contamination, regulatory compliance, and liability allocation. Guides clients through brownfield redevelopment and voluntary cleanup programs.
- Class II/VI UIC, CCUS & Disposal Wells – Advises industrial and energy clients on underground injection permitting under the Safe Drinking Water Act, including site characterization, monitoring, corrective action, closure requirements, and state primacy processes for ClassâŻVI carbon sequestration wells.
- BP America, Inc. – Served as regulatory counsel at Unified Area Command during the Deepwater Horizon response, coordinating multi-jurisdictional permitting and compliance obligations.
- Refinery Portfolio Management – Assisted a major U.S. energy company with environmental assessments, remediation strategies, and the transfer of assets at multiple refinery sites.
- Legislative and Regulatory Strategy – Participated in drafting and revising environmental statutes and rules at the state and federal levels, including UIC regulations, CCUS policies, TLAP rules, and waste management frameworks.
Areas of Focus
- Strategic Environmental Permitting & Compliance: Driving complex permitting and compliance strategies for wastewater, TLAPs, solid/hazardous waste, mining, UIC wells, remediation, and utility-related projects.
- Contested Hearings & Enforcement Defense: Expert representation in TPDES permits, TLAPs, CCN rate cases, SMCRA permits, and enforcement proceedings before TCEQ, EPA, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and other regulatory bodies.
- Rulemaking & Policy Advocacy: Shaping environmental law and policy through agency petitions, regulatory drafting, public comments, and state primacy discussions.
- Renewable Energy Project Development & Siting: Comprehensive guidance on ESA requirements, CWA Section 404 jurisdiction, cultural resources, wetlands, and habitat considerations for solar, wind, and battery storage projects.
- Advanced UIC, CCUS & Disposal Well Permitting: Leading comprehensive permitting and compliance efforts for underground injection wells and cutting-edge carbon sequestration projects.
- Environmental Due Diligence & Transactional Risk Management: Strategic due diligence, risk assessment, liability allocation, and remediation planning for high-value M&A and property transfers nationwide.
- Circular Economy & Waste Management: Comprehensive counsel on waste minimization, recycling facility permitting and compliance (including advanced recycling), beneficial reuse, and navigating federal and state regulations under RCRA and related statutes.
- Brownfield Redevelopment & Voluntary Cleanup Programs: Spearheading investigation, remediation planning, redevelopment strategy, and cost recovery for challenging brownfield sites.
- Anticipatory Regulatory Strategy & Emerging Environmental Issues: Proactive guidance on carbon capture policy, UIC program changes, coal combustion residuals, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) compliance, and Effluent Limitation Guideline (ELG) adherence, including revised steam electric power generating rules.
- Water & Utility Regulatory Affairs: Navigating CCNs, wastewater reuse permitting, and complex utility rate and service disputes.
- Mining & Reclamation (SMCRA) Expertise: Comprehensive permitting, reclamation planning, bonding compliance, and post-mining restoration services.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2022-2026
- Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2023-2026
- Environmental Law, 2022-2026
- Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law – Environmental Law, esp. Enforcement, 2023-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers – Environmental Law-Enforcement, 2021
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2006-2010
- Speaker, “CCR Rule Update,â 2020 Coal Combustion Residuals Conference (August 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court Finds That Clean Water Actâs Permitting Requirements Can Extend to Discharges Through Groundwater,â Jackson Walker Insights (April 24, 2020)
- Author, “EPA Issues Temporary Policy on Enforcement Discretion for Noncompliance Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Jackson Walker Insights (March 31, 2020)
- “The Admissibility of Scientific Expert Witness Testimony in Environmental Litigation,” SETAC Conference (November 2003)
- “Landowner Liability Defense and Funding under Brownfields Act of 2002,” Lloyd Gosselink Seminar (November 2003)
- “Understanding Environmental Enforcement in Texas: Practical Tools for Navigating the TCEQ Process” (March 2004; July 2004; and October 2004)
- “Brownfields RedevelopmentâA Municipal Perspective,” Texas City Attorneys Association Seminar (June 2006)
- “Defending Against Environmental Enforcement Actions and Negotiating Favorable Settlements, Administrative Law in the Environmental Practice,” Austin Bar Association (June 2006)
- “Accommodating Resource Protection Laws in Construction,” Design Law for Texas Architects and Engineers Conference (March 2008)
- “Natural Resources Protection Laws,” Land Law for Civil Engineers and Surveyors (September 2008)
- “State and Federal Site Contamination Law,” Land Law for Civil Engineers and Surveyors (September 2008)
- “Water Law,” Texas Land Law Seminar (May 2009)
- “Handling Your First (or Next) Environmental Law Matter: Finding Your Niche,” Texas Bar Association CLE on Administrative and Civil Enforcement (December 2019)
- State Bar of Texas â Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section
- Austin Bar Association â Administrative Law and Environmental Law Sections
- American Bar Association â Environment, Energy, and Resources Section
August 21, 2025
Attorney News
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
May 30, 2025
Newsletters
JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter â May 2025
View Jackson Walker’s May 2025 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
January 31, 2025
Attorney News
Lawdragon Lists Eight Jackson Walker Partners Among Leading Environmental Lawyers of 2025
Jackson Walker partners Ali Abazari, Leonard Dougal, Taylor Holcomb, Lindsey Moorhead, Michael Nasi, Benjamin Rhem, Daniel Vineyard, and Peter Wahl have once again been recognized among Lawdragonâs list of leading environmental lawyers.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
April 15, 2024
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter â April 2024
View Jackson Walker’s April 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
February 2, 2024
Attorney News
Lawdragon Lists Eight Jackson Walker Partners Among Leading Environmental Lawyers of 2024
According to Lawdragon, “The 2024 Leaders in Environmental Lawâ list features âan amazing collection of attorneys, ranging from wolf advocates, to sustainable finance leaders, experts in greenwashing claims and regulatory gurus who help businesses navigate environmental regulations to successfully develop projects.â
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
April 24, 2023
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter â April 2023
View Jackson Walker’s April 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
February 14, 2023
Attorney News
Lawdragon Lists Five Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Leading Environmental Lawyers
Jackson Walker announces the selection of Ali Abazari, Leonard Dougal, Michael Nasi, Benjamin Rhem, and Daniel Vineyard to “The Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law” list for 2023.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Practice Experience
- Contested Permitting and Administrative Hearings – Represents clients in complex contested cases, including TPDES wastewater discharge permits, TLAPs for biosolids and wastewater land application, CCN and utility rate proceedings involving budget and cost allocation disputes, mining permits and reclamation plans under SMCRA, and enforcement actions before TCEQ, EPA, and the Railroad Commission of Texas.
- Renewable Energy Project Siting – Advises solar, wind, and battery storage developers on environmental due diligence and permitting risks, including ESA compliance obligations, wetlands and jurisdictional waters under the CWA, and cultural resource reviews impacting project development.
- Rulemaking and Policy Development – Prepares and files rulemaking petitions and regulatory comments on TLAPs, UIC well permitting, waste management, mining reclamation, and renewable energy siting rules.
- Property Transactions and Remediation – Conducts environmental due diligence for M&A and real estate transactions nationwide, assessing site contamination, regulatory compliance, and liability allocation. Guides clients through brownfield redevelopment and voluntary cleanup programs.
- Class II/VI UIC, CCUS & Disposal Wells – Advises industrial and energy clients on underground injection permitting under the Safe Drinking Water Act, including site characterization, monitoring, corrective action, closure requirements, and state primacy processes for ClassâŻVI carbon sequestration wells.
- BP America, Inc. – Served as regulatory counsel at Unified Area Command during the Deepwater Horizon response, coordinating multi-jurisdictional permitting and compliance obligations.
- Refinery Portfolio Management – Assisted a major U.S. energy company with environmental assessments, remediation strategies, and the transfer of assets at multiple refinery sites.
- Legislative and Regulatory Strategy – Participated in drafting and revising environmental statutes and rules at the state and federal levels, including UIC regulations, CCUS policies, TLAP rules, and waste management frameworks.
Areas of Focus
- Strategic Environmental Permitting & Compliance: Driving complex permitting and compliance strategies for wastewater, TLAPs, solid/hazardous waste, mining, UIC wells, remediation, and utility-related projects.
- Contested Hearings & Enforcement Defense: Expert representation in TPDES permits, TLAPs, CCN rate cases, SMCRA permits, and enforcement proceedings before TCEQ, EPA, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and other regulatory bodies.
- Rulemaking & Policy Advocacy: Shaping environmental law and policy through agency petitions, regulatory drafting, public comments, and state primacy discussions.
- Renewable Energy Project Development & Siting: Comprehensive guidance on ESA requirements, CWA Section 404 jurisdiction, cultural resources, wetlands, and habitat considerations for solar, wind, and battery storage projects.
- Advanced UIC, CCUS & Disposal Well Permitting: Leading comprehensive permitting and compliance efforts for underground injection wells and cutting-edge carbon sequestration projects.
- Environmental Due Diligence & Transactional Risk Management: Strategic due diligence, risk assessment, liability allocation, and remediation planning for high-value M&A and property transfers nationwide.
- Circular Economy & Waste Management: Comprehensive counsel on waste minimization, recycling facility permitting and compliance (including advanced recycling), beneficial reuse, and navigating federal and state regulations under RCRA and related statutes.
- Brownfield Redevelopment & Voluntary Cleanup Programs: Spearheading investigation, remediation planning, redevelopment strategy, and cost recovery for challenging brownfield sites.
- Anticipatory Regulatory Strategy & Emerging Environmental Issues: Proactive guidance on carbon capture policy, UIC program changes, coal combustion residuals, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) compliance, and Effluent Limitation Guideline (ELG) adherence, including revised steam electric power generating rules.
- Water & Utility Regulatory Affairs: Navigating CCNs, wastewater reuse permitting, and complex utility rate and service disputes.
- Mining & Reclamation (SMCRA) Expertise: Comprehensive permitting, reclamation planning, bonding compliance, and post-mining restoration services.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2022-2026
- Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2023-2026
- Environmental Law, 2022-2026
- Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law – Environmental Law, esp. Enforcement, 2023-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers – Environmental Law-Enforcement, 2021
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2006-2010
Publications & Speeches
- Speaker, “CCR Rule Update,â 2020 Coal Combustion Residuals Conference (August 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court Finds That Clean Water Actâs Permitting Requirements Can Extend to Discharges Through Groundwater,â Jackson Walker Insights (April 24, 2020)
- Author, “EPA Issues Temporary Policy on Enforcement Discretion for Noncompliance Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Jackson Walker Insights (March 31, 2020)
- “The Admissibility of Scientific Expert Witness Testimony in Environmental Litigation,” SETAC Conference (November 2003)
- “Landowner Liability Defense and Funding under Brownfields Act of 2002,” Lloyd Gosselink Seminar (November 2003)
- “Understanding Environmental Enforcement in Texas: Practical Tools for Navigating the TCEQ Process” (March 2004; July 2004; and October 2004)
- “Brownfields RedevelopmentâA Municipal Perspective,” Texas City Attorneys Association Seminar (June 2006)
- “Defending Against Environmental Enforcement Actions and Negotiating Favorable Settlements, Administrative Law in the Environmental Practice,” Austin Bar Association (June 2006)
- “Accommodating Resource Protection Laws in Construction,” Design Law for Texas Architects and Engineers Conference (March 2008)
- “Natural Resources Protection Laws,” Land Law for Civil Engineers and Surveyors (September 2008)
- “State and Federal Site Contamination Law,” Land Law for Civil Engineers and Surveyors (September 2008)
- “Water Law,” Texas Land Law Seminar (May 2009)
- “Handling Your First (or Next) Environmental Law Matter: Finding Your Niche,” Texas Bar Association CLE on Administrative and Civil Enforcement (December 2019)
Community Involvement
- State Bar of Texas â Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section
- Austin Bar Association â Administrative Law and Environmental Law Sections
- American Bar Association â Environment, Energy, and Resources Section