Gwen Keyes Fleming has more than twenty years of public sector experience, having served as both an elected and appointed official at the state and local levels, as well as in various branches of the federal government. Most recently, she served as the Principal Legal Advisor (General Counsel) for Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and as Chief of Staff to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Obama Administration. In addition to her time at the DHS and EPA, Gwen served as the EPA Region 4 (Southeastern Region) Regional Administrator, where she was responsible for establishing and implementing environmental policy for eight southeastern states and six federally recognized tribes. Gwen was twice elected District Attorney for the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit in DeKalb County, Georgia; the first African-American and first woman to hold that office.
Gwen’s practice at Van Ness Feldman focuses on environmental policy, enforcement defense litigation, and special investigations for private as well as municipal clients. She also provides strategic advice and counsel on national security matters related to the protection of environmental and energy infrastructure from cyber and physical threats, including compliance planning, incident response and subsequent enforcement or litigation matters. She is coordinating the firm’s practice in the area of cybersecurity and is the co-author of "Critical Infrastructure: 2017 Cybersecurity Review and What to Expect in 2018" and "Federal Government Takes Steps to Shape Rules for Automated Vehicles." She has also served as a speaker on the issues relating to critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
Gwen’s strength in building relationships, managing complex matters, and in depth knowledge of the EPA, DHS and other branches of the federal government, helps clients achieve their business imperatives.
Emory University School of Law
J.D., 1993
Douglass College at Rutgers University
B.S., 1990
African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) Ebenezer Basset Award, 2017
USEPA Environmental Justice Champion of Change Award, 2015
Atlanta Metropolitan Combined Federal Campaign Leadership Award, 2012
American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE)
American Bar Association
DeKalb Lawyers Association
President, 1997-1998
Environmental Law Institute (ELI) Leadership Council
Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
National Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
Principal Legal Advisor, 2015-2017
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Chief of Staff to Administrator Gina McCarthy, 2013-2015
Regional Administrator, Region 4, 2010-2013
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, Decatur, GA
District Attorney, 2005-2010
DeKalb County Solicitor General's Office, Decatur, GA
Solicitor General, 1999-2004
Chief Assistant Solicitor General, 1998-1999
Senior Assistant Solicitor General, 1993-1994