Bingham McCutchen LLP announced that Clara Poffenberger, former counsel, Environmental and Safety Law for ExxonMobil Corporation, has joined Bingham’s nationally recognized Environmental, Land Use and Natural Resources Practice Group, which was named Environmental Practice of the Year by U.S. News and World Report for 2011-2012. Poffenberger will continue to focus on Clean Air Act and climate change issues as a partner in Bingham’s Washington, D.C., office.

Poffenberger has more than 20 years of U.S. and international environmental law experience. While at ExxonMobil, Poffenberger oversaw Clean Air Act issues for the company’s upstream (exploration and production), midstream (pipeline/delivery) and downstream (refining) businesses, and served as a lead lawyer for the company’s global climate change initiatives.

Prior to joining ExxonMobil, Poffenberger served as counsel in the Environmental Group at Baker Botts, LLP’s Washington. D.C., office and as an attorney at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she worked in its Air Office.

Poffenberger’s skillset complements Bingham’s active environmental permitting, permit defense, interconnection and transmission practice for both renewable and conventional energy companies. Bingham’s environmental group serves clients throughout the United States in the energy, manufacturing and consumer product sectors.

Bingham’s nationwide environmental and natural resources practice, its national litigation reputation and the strength of its environmental team attracted Poffenberger to the firm.