Mary Penny Thompson |
As DENR’s General Counsel, Mary Penny oversees all legal matters for the Department. She is the first point of contact in litigation, acting as the service agent for all contested cases, tort claims, bankruptcies and other lawsuits against the Department. She fills the role of Environmental Justice Coordinator and coordinates our state activities with federal ones. She supervises the rulemaking coordination process with the assistance of Nancy Pate, the Department’s Rulemaking Coordinator. She also provides advice on various issues such as new policy initiatives, legislation, contracts, conflicts of interest, and dispute resolution. Before being appointed as General Counsel in October 2005, Mary Penny served in the Attorney General’s Office for eight years. During that time she litigated and provided advice on coastal, water, land, soil and water conservation, and licensing board issues. In February 2004, she participated in the Interchange of Government Employees program by taking on the duties of Assistant General Counsel for the Department and advising on a wide range of issues. Mary Penny obtained her undergraduate Bachelors of Science degree in Biological Sciences from N.C. State University. She obtained her law degree from Tulane University Law School, which included a specialty in environmental law. |
