Bret Sparks

Bret Sparks focuses his practice on offshore energy and marine litigation as well as wildlife and fisheries law. Prior to joining the firm, Bret worked in Washington, D.C. in both private practice and as a NOAA Sea Grant Fellow for Senator Roger Wicker. Originally from Louisiana, Bret is well-versed in the regulatory hurdles facing Gulf Coast businesses in the natural resources sector. Bret’s unique background in environmental science, law, and policy, coupled with his time in D.C., allows him to provide tailored services for clients dealing with local, national, and international issues in this space.

During his time in private practice, Bret provided legislative and regulatory counseling for clients in the natural resources sector and lobbied on behalf of his clients before members of Congress, the Executive Branch, and various federal agencies including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the State Department. He has also litigated constitutional issues pertaining to natural resources management and energy law before several federal district courts.

As a NOAA Sea Grant Fellow, Bret managed Senator Wicker’s oceans, fisheries, energy, science, and environment portfolio. He drafted and negotiated legislative text with other Congressional offices to advance legislative priorities of the Senator and guided three separate bills involving fisheries and ocean technology into law.