Environmental Law
Environmental attorneys are focused on creative and cost-effective solutions to the challenges environmental laws present. We know that clients depend upon timely and effective communication and solutions to address their many needs. It’s important to have an Environmental Law Team that has the experience and perspective necessary to solve the problems that arise where environmental rules intersect with business objectives of large and small businesses and local governments.
Environmental Law attorneys represent client and others in matters across the country, before federal and state regulatory agencies in air, water, and waste compliance issues, remediation matters and transactions, including in national and international mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Solid and Hazardous Waste:
Environmental Law lawyers provide counsel in matters involving the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response; Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), including cost recovery enforcement and defense and counseling at multiple PRP Superfund sites; achieving compliance with and defending enforcement actions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); and in private litigation. Environmental lawyers also represent businesses across the country in State-lead enforcement and voluntary cleanup actions under the many state laws. Environmental attorneys have counseled clients on international management of waste under the Basel Convention.
Transactional, Siting, and Brownfields Matters:
Professional Environmental attorneys have the skill and experience to guide clients through complex transaction and siting projects. Environmental attorneys represent buyers, sellers, and lenders in real estate and business transactions where environmental conditions have threatened to directly affect the outcome of the deals. Environmental lawyers work with clients to develop a strategy to successfully complete projects, including environmental due diligence, determination of the cost or a range of costs of environmental conditions, risk management, and contractual allocation of environmental liability. Environmental attorneys also develop creative means to fund and implement cost effective remedial and development strategies for contaminated Brownfields properties.
Surface Water, Groundwater, and Wetlands:
It is important to have environmental lawyers that have experience with water pollution legislation and rules covering wetlands, groundwater, stormwater, riparian property issues, toxics, and pretreatment. We can help find attorneys who have provided compliance counseling, permitting, variances, enforcement, and litigation services in all water-related matters and land use issues at the federal and state levels.
Air Pollution Control and Permitting:
Environmental attorneys have the experience to advise and represent clients in construction and operation permitting, enforcement actions, and compliance counseling. Environmental lawyers are focused on workable solutions to the many challenges presented by air pollution control rules.
Management Counseling:
Environmental attorneys can act as outside general counsel to manage complex environmental programs for corporations and to assist senior management in strategic decision making. This work can includ designing and implementing attorney-client privileged environmental audit programs, as well as ensuring that business models comply with complex environmental regulations. Environmental lawyers can also write materials (including procedure manuals and internal newsletters) and conduct seminars on environmental policy for employee education. Environmental attorneys also provid lead counsel to clients in financial disclosure of environmental liabilities.
Insurance Coverage and Procurement:
Insureds and insurers vigorously dispute whether and to what extent insurance policies provide coverage for environmental damage. As new opinions are frequently handed down on these matters, Environmental attorneys provide clients with current knowledge of the law. Environmental lawyers also assist clients in utilizing insurance coverage to manage property and business risk.
Crisis Counseling:
Experience as counsel in connection with fires, explosions, chemical spills, community evacuations, and transportation incidents allow environmental attorneys to swiftly guide clients through these intense crises. Environmental attorneys have assisted management officials responsible for dealing with regulatory agencies, the media, and the public.