Kat King

Associate Attorney

Kat litigates cases at Virginia’s State Corporation Commission related to utility regulation, with a focus on decarbonization and the availability of clean, affordable power. She seeks to safeguard Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the nation’s first cooperative, multistate, market-based effort to cap and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. Kat also advocates for the adoption of solar energy, energy storage, and smart and equitable policies around data centers. 

“It is critical that our work is initiated by and connected to the people and places of the South; that we are simultaneously pragmatic and ambitious; and that we leverage both creativity and expertise in our work,” Kat said. “SELC has given me compassionate, considerate colleagues and inspiring, focused clients – it truly is my dream job.” 

A major inspiration for Kat is the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. “An example of environmental advocacy at its best,” she said, of the campaign to end a multi-billion-dollar interstate pipeline project that threatened historically exploited and vulnerable communities, forests and waterways, and endangered species. 

“Defeating the ACP required a multi-year, multi-faceted legal and advocacy campaign by a broad and diverse coalition of citizens and advocacy groups, and it was far from obvious that their efforts would succeed,” she said. “But they did it. I am so moved by the heart and courage of the citizens who resisted against all odds, and by the collaboration and vision of organizations—including SELC—that supported their fight.” 

Kat grew up in Tampa, exploring sandy beaches and swamp forests. In college she came to appreciate the Blue Ridge Mountains for their “coziness and grandeur.” 

“The abundant wildflowers and berry bushes, hidden swimming holes and waterfalls, lush forests and Skyline Drive in autumn…it’s good medicine.” 

• J.D., UC Berkeley School of Law; publishing editor, California Law Review; associate editor, Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law, and Justice; Public Interest and Social Justice Certificate; Environmental Law Certificate 
• B.A., University of Virginia with highest distinction