Faculty Profile: Christopher Bowles

Chris Bowles practices primarily in the areas of economic development, energy and environmental regulation.  He assists clients in obtaining incentives for job creation, capital investment and clean energy projects. He advises clients on a range of challenges associated with project development, including regulatory, environmental and real estate issues. A self-described "policy geek" Chris digs into the "why" behind laws and policies, and from this perspective, he provides clients context and advice on the best courses of action for their businesses.

In his economic development practice, Chris has closed tax abatement and industrial revenue bond transactions supporting more than $600 million in estimated capital investment in manufacturing, renewable energy, distribution, warehouse, call center and office projects. He understands the constitutional and statutory constraints on incentive transactions and regularly advises clients on maximizing incentives and complying with regulatory requirements.

Chris actively represents and advises numerous clients in the solar energy industry.  He represents clients on the diverse regulatory, property and tax issues that arise in connection with the financing and development of utility and commercial scale solar projects, including some of the largest solar developments in the eastern United States.  He is on the board of directors of the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association and currently serves as its policy committee chair.

In his environmental practice, Chris serves clients in navigating the complex web of federal, state, and local environmental statutes and regulations, including Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act compliance and brownfields redevelopment.

Prior to joining BABC, Chris served as the first-ever Director of the Mayor's Office of Environment and Sustainability in Nashville Mayor Karl Dean's administration.  Chris advised Mayor Dean on a range of environmental issues and oversaw several mayoral initiatives, including the design and successful launch of the Mayor's residential energy efficiency program, Nashville Energy Works, and the creation of Nashville's first-ever Open Space Master Plan in partnership with the Land Trust for Tennessee.

Chris received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was editor-in-chief and co-founder of the Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (ELPAR), which is a joint publication between Vanderbilt University Law School and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) in Washington, D.C.