Svend Brandt-Erichsen, Lori Anne Dolqueist and Matthew Hansen Recognized as “Lawyers of the Year”

Svend Brandt-Erichsen, Lori Anne Dolqueist and Matt Hansen were recently recognized as “Lawyers of the Year” in their practice areas and regions for the 2026 Best Lawyers^© in America report. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Svend was recognized in the Seattle region as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Energy category. He focuses his practice on the development and ongoing operation of energy and natural resource projects. He advises companies on permitting, compliance, regulatory development and other issues arising under all of the major federal environmental statutes, as well as their counterparts in a number of states, with a particular emphasis on air, water, waste and wildlife. He routinely handles appeals involving environmental matters in federal and state courts. He previously was recognized as a “Lawyer of the Year” in the Litigation – Environmental category in 2023.

Lori was recognized in the San Francisco region as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Utilities Law category. Lori focuses her practice on water, energy, transportation and telecommunications regulatory matters before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). She is experienced in representing clients in utility mergers and acquisitions, rate cases, investigations, rulemakings and other aspects of state and federal regulation. Lori has expertise in California utility regulatory matters, with particular focus on matters involving water utilities. Lori was previously recognized as a “Lawyer of the Year” in the Utilities Law category in 2022 and 2024.

Matt was recognized in the Seattle region as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law category. Matt’s practice focuses on all facets of eminent domain law, from consulting with agency clients early in the design process to pre-litigation negotiations, condemnation litigation, trials and appeals. As a proven trial attorney, he has considerable experience representing municipal and private property owner clients in mediations, arbitrations and in trials, including a substantial number of condemnation jury trials. He has as litigated cases throughout Washington state and has successfully argued cases before the Washington State Court of Appeals.

Recognition by Best Lawyers^© is based entirely on peer review. Its methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice.