American Battery Technology Co., which is trying to bolster U.S. lithium-ion battery production by providing domestically sourced metals, has hired its first general counsel.

Joining the Reno, Nevada-based company is Bret Meich. He comes from the law firm Downey Brand, where he was a partner for more than seven years, notably as lead trial counsel in complex commercial, natural resources, construction, real estate, labor and employment matters in courts in Nevada and California. At Downey Brand, he served as ABTC's outside counsel.

"I have great respect for the company's leadership, and I am eager to bring my legal experience to bear to further the many strategic initiatives of the company," Meich said in a statement.

The 11-year-old, publicly traded company is trying to help the United States better compete in electric-car-battery production, which currently is dominated by overseas players. It says it is securing an environmentally and socially responsible supply chain through refining and recycling technologies.

The company says it is the process of working with DuPont to commercialize a first-of-kind processing train for the manufacturing of battery grade lithium hydroxide from Nevada-based sedimentary claystone—a project funded in part from a U.S. Department of Energy grant.

"As we accelerate the execution of our technology and business roadmaps, it is imperative that we establish in-house general counsel to take ownership of our legal affairs roadmap and to coordinate the efforts of our external counsel specialists with immediate prioritization in due diligence and execution of our strategic partnerships, intellectual property portfolio, merger and acquisition diligence, and corporate governance," company CEO Ryan Melsert said in a statement.