Lajuana Wilcher

Lajuana Wilcher, a Partner at English Lucas Priest & Owsley LLP, has an extensive background in environmental law. Her career began in 1989 when she was appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water. In this role, she was instrumental in shaping national water policy, including the implementation of stormwater, biosolids, and TMDL regulations. She also played a key role in the development of the 1994 CSO Policy through collaboration with the FACA group.

In Washington, D.C., Lajuana practiced environmental law for nearly two decades. She served as a Partner at both Winston & Strawn and LeBoeuf, Lamb Greene & MacRae LLP, where she acted as litigation counsel for NACWA and various municipalities in federal CWA litigation, permitting, and enforcement issues. Her expertise also extends to roles as a group facilitator, expert witness, and legislative counsel on CWA matters.

Returning to Kentucky in 2002, Lajuana rejoined private practice at ELPO. From 2003 to 2006, she served as Secretary of Kentucky's Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, where she implemented an innovative Consent Decree strategy with the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District.

An educator as well, Lajuana has developed and taught courses on environmental law and policy at Vermont Law School and Vanderbilt University Law School. Her contributions have been recognized with NACWA's Special Recognition Award in 1993 and the State Public Service Award in 2006. She is a Lifetime Honorary Member of the American Water Works Association and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America annually since 2009. Lajuana is a frequent speaker on environmental law and leadership across the country.

Lajuana is also a founding Board Member of America's Clean Water Alliance (now the U.S. Water Alliance) and Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park. In addition, she serves as a Supervisor for the Warren County Conservation District.