John K. Byrum, Jr.

John Byrum is a principal in the firm’s regulated industries, environmental, administrative law, litigation and appellate sections.  John is a native of Ohio and came to Virginia in 1982, earning a bachelor’s degree in government from the College of William in Mary in 1986 and his law degree from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law in 1995.  During his time at the University of Richmond, John was a member of the Law Review and Moot Court Board and published articles in the Law Review as well as the National Journal of Trial Advocacy. 

Prior to law school John worked for a number of years as a legislative assistant to United States Congressman Herbert H. Bateman (1^st District, Va.), representing Virginia’s Tidewater area, Fredericksburg, and Northern Neck regions.  John served for eight years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, five of those as the lead litigator for the Commonwealth’s several environmental agencies.  In that capacity, John has handled cases at both the state and federal levels, in administrative proceedings, at trial and on appeal, regarding air, water, waste, toxic substances and other environmental permitting and enforcement issues.  John has also litigated nearly 100 appeals before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Virginia Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. 

John assists energy companies to comply with state and federal regulatory requirements.  He counsels clients navigating state and federal environmental or other permitting processes and defends companies and individuals in civil or criminal administrative enforcement actions.  John also advocates client interests in legislative or regulatory proceedings before the Virginia General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, the Virginia State Corporation Commission,  the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the EPA, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and other State/federal agencies. 

Professional Activities and Honors

• Local Government Attorneys' Association
• University of Richmond Law Review
• University of Richmond Moot Court Board
• Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity