STEPHEN LUTTRELL

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, PC

Stephen Luttrell is a shareholder at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, where his practice spans environmental and renewable energy law. He advises developers, contractors and public and private entities on complex solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage systems, renewable natural gas plants, data center energy procurement, electric vehicle fleet charging and sustainability projects, with a consistent focus on helping clients achieve zero-emission objectives and long-term sustainability goals.

With more than a decade of experience, Luttrell counsels clients on environmental compliance, risk mitigation and due diligence in high-stakes matters, while also handling enforcement, litigation and permitting issues under federal and state environmental laws.

His practice splits into two subject areas — environmental law and renewable energy transactions. He successfully resolved a civil enforcement action brought by the Maryland Department of Environment on behalf of a large, local logistics company, settling the matter for a low six-figure amount without an admission of fault after identifying additional responsible parties and conducting extensive discovery.

On the energy side, he served as lead counsel for an approximately nine-megawatt solar photovoltaic project at Sparrows Point — one of the largest rooftop solar projects in the country — including securing a first-of-its-kind waiver from the Maryland Public Service Commission enabling a state-controlled entity to purchase renewable energy through a virtual power purchase agreement.

Luttrell developed a mentoring relationship with an associate who was several years his junior, and that relationship continued after he left the firm. Over time, the two have discussed career advancement, balancing career and family and the mental stresses of their careers. As his mentee developed her own practice and made partner at his former firm, the two moved into more of a peer mentoring relationship where she serves as a sounding board for him at times. “Seeing the progression from a junior associate to a peer is one of the joys of the legal profession,” Luttrell said.

Looking ahead, Luttrell’s goal is to lead a thriving energy and environmental practice built around a team of lawyers who share his passion for these industries and for providing excellent client service. He views Maryland as at a crossroads on energy costs and sees climate change as a dire issue, and he hopes to put his knowledge and experience to use advising policymakers on energy and environmental law.

Luttrell lives in Howard County with his wife, Laura, their two children and a dog who loves to chase deer.