Coke Cherney became a partner in 1988 and coordinated the environmental practice for Ropes & Gray in Washington, D.C. He practiced environmental law for more than 24 years, with experience in regulatory, compliance, enforcement, and litigation matters.

Prior to joining Ropes & Gray, Coke worked with the Environmental Protection Agency, including work within the areas of toxic substance control, pesticide regulation, water pollution and drinking water contamination, and hazardous waste. In 1980, he was named to a special agency task force and was involved in the development of Superfund legislation. In 1981, he was named the EPA's first Assistant General Counsel for Superfund. In 1983, Coke became Associate General Counsel for Water, where he was in charge of all legal matters arising under the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and other federal environmental laws.