Drew Ernst, a Partner in the Firm's Savannah office, practices in the areas of Real Estate Development, Industrial Development, and Environmental Law. He has extensive experience in representing clients on "wetlands" matters and coastal development issues arising under the various facets of Georgia's Coastal Zone Management Act. He also represents clients before regulatory agencies in obtaining permits under the Clean Water Act and the Solid Waste Management Act. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law since 1997.

Mr. Ernst has written numerous articles on environmental and real estate issues, including "Responding to the Challenge of the 404 Permit", published in the Economic Development Review and co-authored "Water Water Everywhere, Better Call the Corps: Section 404 Regulation of Wetlands", Vol. 41 No. 3 Mercer L. Rev. 843 (1990). Mr. Ernst has also been a frequent speaker on environmental and real estate topics at seminars sponsored by different organizations, including The Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, The American Economic Development Council, the Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law Section of the American Bar Association, Executive Enterprises, and the Seminar Group.

Mr. Ernst received his Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, from Armstrong State College in 1974, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1977. At Armstrong, he received the Silver A Award for Academic and Civic Achievement. In law school, he served on the editorial board of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law.

• Publications

  • Don't Let the Mud Hit the Fan - Wetlands Legislation is Often Overlooked by Business Owners.
  • The 404 Permit That Couldn't, But Did - The Story of Crossroads Business Center
  • The Development of Hutchinson Island-Savannah-Chatham County's Public-Private Partnership
  • Water, Water Everywhere, Better Call the Corps: Section 404 Regulation of Wetlands

• Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    
  • Best Lawyers in America - Environmental
    
  • Chambers USA  - America's Leading Lawyers for Business: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
    
  • Georgia Super Lawyers: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
    
  • State Bar of Georgia
    
  • Savannah Bar Association