NASHVILLE, Tenn.- For successfully defending the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in high-stakes litigation, training the next generation of regulators, and building a valuable externship program, USACE Headquarters honored Nashville District's Kathryn Morris, assistant district counsel, with the E. Manning Seltzer Award.
This year, the enterprise selected only 11 of more than 450 legal professionals for this distinction, reserved for its most outstanding attorneys.
A major reason for the award is her successful defense of the Corps' regulatory permit decisions. In a challenge to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Expansion, the official case record Morris prepared proved so thorough and legally sound that a federal court dismissed the lawsuit.
Tim Wilder, chief of the west branch regulatory division, witnessed her expertise firsthand.
Morris also provided guidance during litigation over emergency rail repairs by CSX Railroad on the Nolichucky River following Hurricane Helene. The complex case, which spanned both the Nashville and Wilmington districts, saw the U.S. District Court deny plaintiffs' motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunctions before ultimately dismissing the case as moot.
Beyond the courtroom, Morris's impact as an instructor and mentor proved central to her recognition. This March, she taught for the first time at a national USACE prospect course, leading the "Regulatory Three" class on enforcement for regulatory specialists. The course trains them on how to respond to violations of the Clean Water Act and exercise discretion in resolving them.
She also drew on her experience at the Middle East District to create and spearhead the Nashville District's Office of Counsel Externship program. Now in its third year, the program gives local law students a unique, hands-on experience with federal law.
The externship includes site visits to major civil works projects like the Kentucky and Chickamauga locks to see the connection between legal work and project execution.
Casey Ehorn, deputy chief of the regulatory division, commented on Morris's multifaceted impact.
District Counsel Jim Roth, who nominated Morris, noted her exceptional initiative.
Morris, who joined the Nashville District in 2022, advises the district's Regulatory Division. A graduate of New York University School of Law, she began her USACE career in 2019 through the Chief Counsel's Honors Program. She credits a strong work ethic, developed while working full-time through college, for her success.
Law students interested in federal careers can learn more about the USACE Honors Program at https://www.usace.army.mil/Who-We-Are/Chief-Counsel-Office/Honors-Program/. Local law students interested in the Nashville District externship program may contact Kathryn Morris at [email protected].
The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district's website at https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Districts/Nashville-District/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on X (formerly Twitter) at www.x.com/nashvillecorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest Nashville District employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-nashville-district.
Source: U.S.Army
