Laura M. Goins

Laura Marie Goins has over 18 years of expertise in environmental law, regulatory compliance, and policy development. She provides strategic legal counsel to businesses, government agencies, and individuals facing complex corporate transactional and regulatory challenges. With a deep understanding of environmental statutes, administrative law, and corporate risk management, she helps clients navigate corporate transactions, compliance issues, permitting processes, and enforcement actions.

Laura has a proven track record of representing energy companies, manufacturers, and government entities in high-stakes corporate transactional and regulatory matters, including the legal framework for financial management, environmental compliance, permitting appeals, and legislative advocacy. Her background in both private practice and government service enables her to deliver well-rounded legal solutions that align with her clients’ operational and business goals.

Practice Details

Laura is committed to helping clients mitigate legal risks and develop proactive compliance strategies. Whether assisting businesses with complex corporate transactions, regulatory approvals, advocating for policy reforms, providing corporate legal or transactional counsel, she delivers tailored, effective legal solutions with a results-driven approach.

Practice Areas

Commercial Transactions and Corporate Counseling
Environmental & Regulatory Compliance (Federal and West Virginia state programs)

Risk Management & Enforcement Defense
Contract Drafting, Review and Negotiations
Government Affairs & Legislative Advocacy
Energy Law (Oil & Gas, Coal, Hydrogen, Renewable Energy, Power Generation)

Professional Affilations and Honors

Named in the 2012-2017 editions of West Virginia Super Lawyers® Rising Stars
American Bar Association, Air Quality Committee, Co-Chair of Social Media 2013
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Environment Committee Member 2009 – 2020
West Virginia State Bar, Member

Court Admissions

West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and all lower state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Publications and Speaking Engagements

MATS Corrections – Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, Published on The National Law Review, January 16, 2015

Co-author, Oil and Gas Chapter of the American Bar Association (ABA) Year in Review 2012

Co-author, “Expedited CCS Development: Challenges & Opportunities,” Legal and Regulatory Policies chapter of the 2011 Study Group Report for the U.S. Department of Energy on behalf of the National Coal Council

Integrator and Grower Contracts: Should Farmers Get Involved?, University of South Carolina School of Law, Student Environmental Scholarship (2005)

Confining Chickens, Sierra Club South Carolina Chapter Congaree Chronicle, July-Aug. 2005, volume 28, number 4, at 6

Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Southwest PA Open House, regarding the potential opportunities for community benefits and economic growth in this region associated with the development of hydrogen as an energy source, Washington, Pennsylvania, January 2025.

Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Southern WV Open House, regarding the potential opportunities for community benefits and economic growth in this region associated with the development of hydrogen as an energy source, Charleston, West Virginia, November 2024.

West Virginia Governor's Energy Summit Presentation, speaking on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) and its potential to transform the region's energy economy through a collaborative effort involving multiple states, businesses, and sectors, Charleston, West Virginia, October 2024.

West Virginia Building and Construction Conference, discussing the state's "all of the above" approach to diversifying its energy portfolio and the details of Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), Morgantown, West Virginia, May 2024.

National Institute of Public Finance at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, focusing on the areas of investments and pensions, public finance, debt management, and executive treasury management, Malibu, California, July 2023.

Education

University of South Carolina College of Law, Columbia, SC
Juris Doctor, May 2006
Honors: South Carolina Journal of International Law & Business
Activities: Environmental Law Society, Women in Law, Healing Species

College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Master of Science in Environmental Studies, May 2003
Study & Presentation: Effects of Environmental Enrichment on the Behavior of North American River Otters, South Eastern Association of Behavioral Analysis Conference, Nov. 2006.

West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, Animal and Veterinary Science, May 2001

Certificate in Public Treasury Management from the National Institute of Public Finance at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Malibu, California, 2023.