Atty. Derek L. Seal
Derek practices administrative and regulatory law with a focus on environmental permitting and enforcement. With more than 30 years of regulatory and legislative experience, Derek assists clients with a wide range of matters, including Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) contested case hearings and regulatory compliance, water supply and water rights, air, water, waste, and wastewater discharge permitting.Derek previously held roles as General Counsel of the TCEQ, Counsel to former TCEQ Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White, General Counsel in the Texas Legislature for the House Commit
Profile Summary
About Derek L. Seal at a glance
Derek L. Seal is a environmental and government attorney based in Austin, Texas, practicing at McGinnis Lochridge. Educated at St. Mary’s University School of Law (J.D., 1996). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Water Law (2026). Serands clients in Austin, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Derek practices administrative and regulatory law with a focus on environmental permitting and enforcement
- With more than 30 years of regulatory and legislative experience, Derek assists clients with a wide range of matters, including Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) contested case hearings and regulatory compliance, water supply and water rights, air, water, waste, and wastewater discharge permitting.Derek previously held roles as General Counsel of the TCEQ, Counsel to former TCEQ Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White, General Counsel in the Texas Legislature for the House Committee on Environmental Regulation, and General Counsel and Chief of Staff for Representative Warren Chisum
Practice Areas Explained
Derek L. Seal's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Derek L. Seal handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Derek L. Seal is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Texas →
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Derek L. Seal is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Texas
Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Austin are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Austin or all attorneys in Texas.
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