Spencer Fane attorney Jessica Merrigan led the session Strengthening Cooperative Federalism and the Impact of the Criminal Enforcement Executive Order at the 2025 Missouri Water Seminar on July 30 in Columbia, Missouri. The firm co-sponsored the two-day Regulatory Environmental Group for Missouri (REGFORM) event.
Jessie’s presentation examined the impact of the president’s May 9 Criminal Executive Order concerning overcriminalization – which declared the U.S. “drastically overregulated” – on regulatory enforcement. She focused on key legal principles, including the level of intent required for criminal liability and how negligence is assessed in these cases, and also explored Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s strategy surrounding federal and state government collaboration.
At Spencer Fane, Jessie counsels clients on environmental matters regarding regulatory requirements and represents them in litigation of environmental claims, including contribution claims under the federal Superfund law. She has significant experience helping clients in administrative negotiations with both the EPA and state agencies; advises them on additional or equivalent state law requirements; and assists clients with facility audits, compliance initiatives, and waste reduction programs.
Jessie and her fellow Spencer Fane Environmental Law team members are frequent thought leaders at REGFORM seminars and other top industry forums.