Amy L. Barrette

How Amy Helps Clients

Amy has a proven track record of success spanning 22 years in advising energy companies in federal and state court actions and appeals before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. Amy advises clients on a wide variety of issues, including air, soil and water contamination, hydraulic fracturing nuisance and negligence claims, personal injury, contract, royalty, permitting, zoning and lease disputes, as well as waste management. She also assists clients in navigating Pennsylvania’s regulatory landscape with regard to their operations and environmental practices and advises clients related to emerging federal and state PFAS regulations. Amy has represented energy and other clients in negotiations with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Amy has significant experience managing all aspects of litigation, arbitration and mediation. She has been named to the “Who’s Who in Energy” list by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Amy was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® in 2024 in the Energy Law category. 

What Clients Can Expect

Amy has the ability to anticipate clients’ needs and develop winning strategies that deliver successful results for her clients – a quality that enables her to develop strong and lasting relationships with her clients. She is known for her tenacity and drive.

Outside the Office

Amy is a dedicated animal advocate. In 2018 she founded a 501c3 nonprofit rescue organization in Southwest Pennsylvania, providing community outreach and much-needed spay/neuter services for stray and abandoned cats. In April of 2023, the City of Washington, Pennsylvania voted to partner with Amy’s organization to provide the first city-funded spay/neuter pilot project. In addition, Amy and her husband have opened their home to a number of special needs rescues.

Proof Points

• Defending oil and gas clients against claims of methane migration and water contamination from hydraulic fracturing and natural gas drilling.
• Representing oil and gas clients in consent order negotiations with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
• Representing oil and gas clients in appeals before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
• Representing oil and gas clients in connection with lease disputes.
• Defended various oil and gas operators in quiet title actions.
• Obtained injunctive relief for an oil and gas client in connection with repeated instances of trespass on well locations.
• Representing an oil and gas client in connection with personal injury claims related to operations on natural gas well pads.
• Representing oil and gas clients in connection with EPA CERCLA requests.
• Representing oil and gas clients in connection with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection enforcement actions.
• Represented a wood treatment facility in connection with EPA and DOJ allegations of RCRA violations.
• Represented an energy client in consent order negotiations preventing the closing of a coke manufacturing plant.
• Defended an internationally known forensic pathologist and medical examiner charged with 84 federal felonies; after months of trial, the defense rested without calling a single witness, and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on any of the counts.