New: Class action filed against DC Water over January 2026 Potomac sewage spill — Learn more & submit a claim →
Maryland & DC Bar

Federal expertise,
now working
for you.

A federal career spanning EPA enforcement, Inspector General oversight, and Capitol Hill — now in private practice, on behalf of clients who need someone who knows how the system works.

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Former Roles
Associate Counsel, U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General
Enforcement Attorney, EPA Waste & Chemical
Judicial Law Clerk, EPA Office of Administrative Law Judges (detail)
Legislative Fellow, U.S. House of Representatives (Virginia)
Credentials
J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School
Environmental Law Certificate
Certification
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Licensed
Maryland · Washington, D.C.
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15+
Years Federal Experience
7
Years EPA / OIG
2
Jurisdictions Licensed
Experience. Focus. Results.
About the Practice

Insider knowledge.
Independent advocacy.

G.W. Mears Law LLC was founded by an attorney who spent 15 years inside the system — at the EPA, the Inspector General's office, and on Capitol Hill — and who now brings that perspective directly to clients.

Before entering private practice, Gilbert Mears served as Associate Counsel with the U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General, advising leadership on audits, investigations, appropriations, and general counsel matters. Prior to that, he served as an Enforcement Attorney in EPA's Waste and Chemical Enforcement Division, clerked with EPA's Office of Administrative Law Judges, and held a Legislative Fellowship with a Virginia member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

That background now serves a different purpose: providing individuals, nonprofits, and businesses with knowledgeable, efficient, and direct legal counsel across environmental law, government oversight, consumer advocacy, compliance, and federal appropriations — without the overhead of a large firm.

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Gilbert W. Mears, Attorney
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EPA Office of Inspector General
Associate Counsel · 7 Years
EPA Waste & Chemical Enforcement Division
Enforcement Attorney
EPA Office of Administrative Law Judges
Judicial Law Clerk (Detail)
U.S. Congress
Legislative Fellow · House of Representatives (Virginia)
Lewis & Clark Law School
J.D. · Environmental & Natural Resources Certificate
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Practice Areas

Where federal experience
meets client need.

Focused representation across the areas where government, environment, and commerce intersect — drawing on firsthand knowledge of how agencies operate, investigate, and enforce.

01
Environmental Law

Comprehensive environmental counsel grounded in a decade of EPA enforcement and regulatory practice.

  • Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA
  • Superfund & Brownfields redevelopment
  • TSCA, EPCRA, Safe Drinking Water Act
  • Environmental torts
  • EPA enforcement & compliance counseling
02
Government Oversight & Compliance

Navigating federal audits, investigations, and oversight inquiries — from the inside out.

  • Inspector General audit & investigation response
  • Congressional inquiry support
  • Internal compliance program development
  • Whistleblower & disclosure matters
  • Federal ethics & post-employment restrictions
03
Consumer Advocacy

Plaintiff-side representation for individuals harmed by companies that deceive, mislead, or trap consumers.

  • Automatic renewal & negative option violations
  • Unfair & deceptive trade practices (UDAP)
  • TCPA & unwanted communications
  • Consumer fraud & false advertising
  • State consumer protection statutes
04
Federal Appropriations & Infrastructure

Guidance on federal funding, grant compliance, and Buy America requirements for the infrastructure era.

  • IIJA / Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
  • Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs
  • Buy America / BABA compliance
  • Federal grants & cooperative agreements
  • Appropriations law & spending restrictions
Our Approach

Not just legal advice.
Strategic advantage.

⚖
Insider Perspective

Fifteen years inside EPA and Congress means understanding not just the law, but how agencies actually make decisions — and where leverage lies.

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Direct Access & Efficiency

Solo practice means you work directly with the attorney handling your matter — no hand-offs, no associates learning on your dime.

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Strategic Partnerships

A trusted network of specialists means complex matters get the right expertise — coordinated seamlessly, without large-firm overhead.

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Fraud Examination Expertise

As a Certified Fraud Examiner — a credential held by fewer than 2% of attorneys — complex financial and investigative matters benefit from an added analytical edge.

Updates

Latest from the Practice

March 2026
Class Action Filed Against DC Water

G.W. Mears Law LLC, Levetown Law, and Hagens Berman have filed a class action lawsuit against DC Water following the disastrous January 2026 sewage spill into the Potomac River. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeks relief for affected residents and property owners. Read the full press release from Hagens Berman →

March 2026
Were You Affected by the Potomac Sewage Spill?

Do you live in the D.C. area near the January 19, 2026, sewage spill into the Potomac River? If you own property or a vessel and suffered losses, you may have claims against DC Water. Use the form below to share further information with Hagens Berman.

March 2026

More updates coming soon . . .

Contact

Let’s discuss
your matter.

Whether you're facing an enforcement action, need compliance guidance, or want to explore a consumer protection claim, we're available for an initial consultation.

✉
Email
⚖
Licensed In
Maryland · Washington, D.C.
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Practice Model
Virtual-first · Available nationally for federal matters

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Attorney responsible for this content: Gilbert W. Mears · Licensed in Maryland and Washington, D.C. · This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.