My Credentials

  • University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

  • University of Erfurt, Exchange Student

  • Vermont Law School, Masters of Studies in Environmental Law, magna cum laude

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor, Environmental Moot Court

Hi, I'm Paula.

Of Counsel

My practice focuses on energy and environmental law, including siting, permitting, and compliance matters. I help organizations, business owners, and landowners navigate the energy and environmental rules that govern their projects and find practical, creative paths to their goals.

I have worked in the private, public, and non-profit sectors as an attorney, policymaker, and utility leader, developing and executing projects and strategies at every level of government. That experience shows me how agencies and organizations actually make decisions, and I use it to build strategies that get my clients’ projects approved and built.

Before joining Barbas Cremer, I led Southeastern U.S. energy policy strategy for an international clean energy non-profit. Before that, I worked for two of Florida’s largest electric utilities, leading policy, permitting, water resources, waste management, and stakeholder engagement teams for nuclear, gas, renewable energy, and reclaimed water facilities. I served two Florida governors, first as Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and later as General Counsel of the South Florida Water Management District. I began my energy and environmental career as an associate attorney at Hopping Green & Sams.

Bar Admissions, Certifications, & Licenses

  • Licensed by Florida Bar

Publications & Speeches

  • Clean Energy Innovation, E4 Carolinas Energy Conversations (January 2025).

  • Energy Technology Opportunities, Make Energy Work (October 2024).

  • The Future of the Power Sector in the Southeast, The Southeast Energy/Environmental Leadership Forum (December 2023).

  • Perspectives on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Role of Hydrogen, Southeastern States Air Resource Managers Conference (November 2023).

  • The Effects of the Net-Zero Movement, Florida Environmental Permitting Summer School (July 2023).

Notable Professional Experience & Achievements

  • Brownfields & Contaminated Site Redevelopment:

    • Counsel on environmental issues including the brownfield area designation for the Robles Park affordable housing redevelopment - City of Tampa

    • Counsel on environmental issues for the redevelopment of the City-owned Army Navy site in North Downtown - City of Tampa

    • Counsel on brownfield strategy and environmental issues for the redevelopment of a former landfill site -- Hillsborough County

  • State Lands & Permitting:

    • Counsel to a marina owner on its sovereign submerged lands lease - Pinellas County

    • Permitted traditional and renewable energy infrastructure and reclaimed water projects for two of Florida’s largest electric utilities

    • Negotiated state land agreements to facilitate Everglades restoration as General Counsel of the South Florida Water Management District

    • Counsel to landowners across Florida regarding conservation easements, wetland mitigation banks, and ecosystem services projects

  • Government Service:

    • General Counsel for the South Florida Water Management District

    • Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs, Florida Department of Environmental Protection -- oversaw the Divisions of Air, Water, Waste, Emergency Management  and the Department’s regulatory districts

    • Director, Division of Air Resource Management, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

    • Advised Governors’ offices and testified before the Florida Legislature

  • Energy & Utility Leadership:

    • Environmental Services Director, Florida Power & Light: led technical and policy teams on water management, waste regulation, and emerging federal environmental laws Environmental Affairs Director, Duke Energy Florida: handled environmental and energy policy matters

    • Senior Southeast Regional Policy Manager, Clean Air Task Force -- worked with state governments and stakeholders on practical, affordable low-carbon energy technologies and policies

Life Outside the Law

On Saturday mornings, you’ll find me at the North Asheville Tailgate Market, where I serve as market manager. The market has brought local farmers, bakers, and makers together since 1980. Helping run the market is one of the most enjoyable parts of my week. After a career spent on permits, water, and power plants, there is something deeply satisfying about a parking lot full of fresh produce, good coffee, and neighbors catching up. It keeps me connected to the land and to the people who make their living from it. If you’d like to learn more, see my LinkedIn profile.