People on the Move

Alf W. Brandt has started a four-year term as a member of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which is California’s governmental ethics and campaign disclosure agency. Secretary of State Shirley Weber appointed him to her seat, for a four-year term beginning February 1, 2025. Brandt continues to serve as associate director of the Justice Solutions and Innovation, at the National Judicial College. He has served the Section in numerous roles, including as a Council member, Fall Conference Planning Committee chair, and vice chair on several committees.

Inga C. Caldwell is one of four attorneys recently elevated to members at Cole Schotz P.C. Caldwell is a member in the firm's environmental practice and she is based in the firm’s New Jersey office. She counsels buyers, sellers, and lenders on environmental liability risks in complex corporate and real estate transactions. Caldwell is a vice chair on the Section's Governance Committee and serves as a vice chair on the Section's 33rd Fall Conference Planning Committee.

Carlos R. Evans is now associate general counsel at Celanese in Irving, Texas. Evans was previously director of the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability at the City of Dallas. He is a Section Council member.

Leland P. Frost has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as chief of staff, Region 4. Frost was previously senior associate at Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter LLP in Birmingham, Alabama. Most recently, he served as an at-large vice chair on the Section’s Enforcement and Litigation Committee.

Bartholomew (Bart) Kempf has joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP as a partner based in their Washington, D.C., office. Kempf joined Orrick from Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. He previously practiced at Latham & Watkins LLP and Beveridge & Diamond PC and served as senior counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry. He advises clients on federal and state environmental permitting before governmental agencies, as well as on key considerations related to the development, financing, and acquisition of energy and infrastructure projects.

James L. Noles  Jr. has joined Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment as professor of practice. Noles, originally one of Barze Taylor Noles Lowther LLC’s founding partners, has assumed an of counsel position with the firm in its Birmingham, Alabama, office now that he serves in a new role at the University.

R. Justin Smith is now of counsel at Beveridge & Diamond PC in Washington, D.C. Smith previously worked for the U.S. Department of Justice for over two decades, serving most recently as Section Chief, Law and Policy Section in the Environment and Natural Resources Division. He is programs vice chair on the Section's Climate Change Committee.

Sabren Wahdan has joined the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, D.C., as an attorney. She previously was legal counsel at CropLife America in Arlington, Virginia. She is a member of the Section's Leadership Development Program.