Environmental issues can substantially affect a company’s operations, even if its core business has little impact on the environment. Regulatory proceedings are often complex and can substantially delay or limit business activities. If not resolved expeditiously, environmental issues can cause costly and time-consuming litigation.
We have the depth and experience to help clients assess risks, assume ongoing compliance and address concerns with project development, business transactions, permitting and government investigations. We work on the full range of environmental and natural resources issues, and the emerging body of climate change regulation.
We serve a diverse client base involved in many industries, including energy, manufacturing, real estate development, agriculture, transportation and telecommunications. We also represent trade associations, governmental bodies and nonprofit organizations in addressing these same concerns.
We are well-positioned to work efficiently with clients and effectively with regulators. Many on our team have worked as engineers, environmental consultants or government officials, so we know the process, “get the science” and understand how to work with your team members—in-house counsel, executives and consultants—and other interested parties.
Regulatory and compliance advice
We offer regulatory assistance in virtually every area, including:
- Directing national compliance audits involving the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
- Investigating and negotiating “no further action” determinations related to off-site contamination
- Leading potentially responsible parties (PRP) committees at major federal Superfund and state cleanup sites
- Assisting in environmental impact reviews and documentation under federal NEPA and state laws and under the Endangered Species Act
- Developing a large enhanced city water supply system
Corporate and real property transactions
Our extensive transactional work has included:
- Environmental due diligence assistance
- Negotiations with state and federal agencies to limit liability in contaminated property purchases
- Sale and acquisition of numerous environmentally sensitive businesses
- Negotiation of environmental contract releases and indemnity provisions
- Definition of ongoing business and seller liabilities at highly contaminated sites
Extensive litigation services in governmental and commercial disputes
Our litigation team excels at handling complex environmental and natural resources disputes with government entities and commercial interests in multijurisdictional administrative proceedings, trial courts and courts of appeal. |