Janette Brimmer

Senior Attorney Northwest Office

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Media Inquiries

Elizabeth Manning
Public Affairs and Communications Strategist
emanning@earthjustice.org

Bar Admissions

MN, WA

Janette Brimmer works on cases in the Northwest region, as well as national water and wetland matters. Janette is the Chair of Earthjustice’s Clean Water Act Practice Group, working on a variety of water quality and quantity cases, including protecting iconic waters like Puget Sound and leading the waters of the U.S. team. Janette also works on various cases to protect the West Coast’s salmon resources which includes removing dams throughout the Northwest and pursuing actions against pollution sources, like toxic tires, that are harmful to salmon. Janette works frequently with tribes, community groups, and water protectors.

Janette spent most of the first 20+ years of her law career working to protect the forest, lakes, and prairies of Minnesota (with a brief stint in her home state of Wisconsin). Janette attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for both undergraduate and law school, receiving her J.D. in 1986. Her law career has involved private practice, working for the Attorneys General of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and serving as the Legal Director for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Janette also taught Environmental and Natural Resources Law at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and at the University of Minnesota, College of Natural Resources.

In her spare time, she roots around in her garden, plays in two rock bands, reads a ridiculous amount, romps with her adorable husky, and hikes and camps.

The Latest from Janette Brimmer

June 9, 2021

In the News: Bloomberg Law

EPA to Rewrite Trump-Era Waters Rule That Boosted Builders

“The damage we have seen over the last year is going to continue apace. This rule is wreaking havoc on protections of water. That’s not going to stop while the rulemaking goes on.”
Barbara Deardorff draws water from her tap in Wheatfield, Indiana, where toxic chemicals from a local coal ash pond have leached into her community's water supply.
February 17, 2021

In the Race for Dirtiest Water, Indiana Pulls Ahead with Repeal of Wetlands Protections

The state just doubled down on its dirty water status by embracing the Trump administration’s weak regulation instead of strengthening its own.
January 29, 2021

In the News: Bloomberg Law

Biden Swings Waters Pendulum With Final Resolution Still Elusive

“We want to it to be proper. I want them to follow science and develop a rule relatively quickly so we’re not left with a complete lack of protection.”
The Dirty Water Rule
February 27, 2019

These Are States That Want to Make America’s Waters Burn Again

Attorney Janette Brimmer explains how polluter-friendly states are helping Trump attack the Clean Water Rule.
In August 1972, a sign warns that the Potomac Rive is unsafe for water sports due to pollution.
October 18, 2017

Back to the Dirty Old Future

President Trump’s proposed budget will likely eliminate nationwide water cleanup efforts altogether.
More than 30 states have joined polluting industries, corporate agribusinesses and mega-developers in attacking the EPA’s Clean Water Rule.
February 28, 2017

The Dirty 31: Is Your State Arguing Against Clean Water?

More than 30 states have joined polluting industries, corporate agribusinesses and mega-developers in attacking the EPA’s Clean Water Rule.

Two identical photos of Mount Trumbull in Grand Canyon National Park demonstrating the change in air quality due to regional haze pollution.
October 25, 2016

Clearing the Air in Our National Parks

Watch Earthjustice set the record straight during upcoming oral arguments about the Navajo Generating Station’s dirty emissions and its outsized impact on our national treasures, including the Grand Canyon.
Earthjustice is working to stop Tesoro-Savage, a crude oil shipping terminal proposed for the banks of the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington.
August 15, 2016

Gambling with House Money

Go inside the trial of Tesoro-Savage, a crude oil shipping terminal proposed for the banks of the Columbia River.
Oregon's Wimar Dam during the deconstruction.
August 12, 2015

The Dance of the Dammed

Two 20-foot high unused dams have been killing salmon in the Rogue River wild and scenic watershed for years, but with Earthjustice’s help those dams are coming down, opening up over 70 miles of prime salmon and steelhead habitat.
Salmon filet
March 9, 2015

Washington State’s Numbers Game

The state’s funny math on water quality standards adds up to toxic waterways, mercury-laden fish and weakened cancer risk protections.