Nick Goldstein is the Assistant Chief Counsel at the Office of Advocacy, where he focuses on environmental and regulatory policy issues affecting small businesses. He brings more than two decades of experience in environmental law and regulatory affairs.
Prior to joining Advocacy, Goldstein spent the majority of his career with the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), where he represented the transportation construction industry on a wide range of regulatory and policy matters. In that role, he advocated on behalf of contractors, planning and design firms, and state and local transportation officials, working extensively on environmental, labor, contracting, and safety issues. Throughout his tenure, he worked closely with many small businesses and gained firsthand insight into the regulatory challenges they face.
At the Office of Advocacy, Goldstein’s primary areas of focus include regulations related to the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and environmental justice. He also serves as Advocacy’s representative to the Administrative Conference of the United States. Over the course of his career, he has worked on issues involving the Clean Air Act, federal lands, chemicals regulation, and efforts to improve public and small business participation in the federal regulatory process.
Goldstein is particularly drawn to environmental law because of its dynamic and evolving nature. He has witnessed the continued development of major environmental statutes and regulations, as well as the emergence of new challenges such as climate change. As environmental policy increasingly affects a broader range of industries, he values the growing involvement of small businesses and other stakeholders in shaping regulatory outcomes.
A strong advocate for balanced regulation, Goldstein believes that rules should be carefully tailored to achieve their intended objectives while minimizing unnecessary burdens, particularly on small businesses. He takes pride in helping ensure that small business perspectives are represented during the federal rulemaking process and that those most affected by regulatory costs have a meaningful voice in government decision-making.
Goldstein encourages small business owners to actively engage in the regulatory process by submitting comments, meeting with agency officials, and sharing their expertise. He believes that the practical experience of business owners plays a critical role in helping federal agencies develop more effective and workable regulations.