James S. Alves
119 South Monroe Street, Suite 300
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.222.7500
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Experience
- Represents diverse clients before federal, state, and local environmental agencies, with particular emphasis water quality issues.
- Manages legal issues related to surface water regulation for the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group. Also active on water quality issues for the Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council.
- Experience includes work with electric utilities, local governments, chemical companies, various manufacturers and mining operations in permitting, enforcement, and rulemaking proceedings. Representative clients include City of Lakeland, CF Industries and Seminole Electric Cooperative.
- Substantially involved with the development and implementation of Florida's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, and rule amendments concerning water quality standards.
Education
- Suffolk University Law School, J.D., 1984
- University of Massachusetts, B.A., 1978
Bar and Court Admissions
- Florida Bar, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2000
- U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 2002
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association
Community Involvement
- President - Tallahassee Youth Orchestras, Inc. (www.tallahasseeyouthorchestras.org)
- Past President - Turn About, Inc. (www.turnabout.org)
- Past President - Tallahassee Area Crew
- Past President - Tallahassee Rowing Club (www.nettally.com/trc/)
- Leadership Florida, 1998 - 1999
Publications and Presentations
- "Pollutants Trading on the Horizon in Florida", Florida Water Resources Journal, February 2007
- "TMDLs: Florida's Long and Winding Road", Florida Water Resources Journal, March, 2007
- "NPDES Legal Update: Is a Permit Needed for Discharges to Groundwater?", Florida Water Resources Journal, January 2008
Awards and Recognition
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America, for Environmental Law, 2000-2012 Editions.
- Listed in Corporate Counsel May 2008, as one of the Top Lawyers for Environmental Law.
- Listed as one of the "Florida Super Lawyers", for Environmental Law, in the annual publication of The Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2011 Editions.
- Listed in the 2004-2008 Edition of Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" for Environmental and Land Use Law.
- Listed as one of "Florida's Top Lawyers" in Florida Monthly Magazine, 2005.
- Has achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
James S. Alves Practices in: Administrative Law, Air Quality Regulation, Climate Change, Endangered and Threatened Species Protection, Due Diligence / Regulatory Compliance Counseling, Water Resources, Water and Wastewater Utility Regulation.