Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Environment: litigation

Under the leadership of Kyle McGee in Wilmington, Grant & Eisenhofer P.A.‘s environmental and toxic tort litigation practice is particularly focused on acting for public entities, municipalities and governmental bodies in contentious matters involving the production and distribution of hazardous chemicals, and environmental catastrophes arising out of the negligence of corporations.
With decades of experience in this field, Susman Godfrey LLP is ‘uniquely equipped‘ to represent plaintiffs and defendants in litigation concerning the discharge of hazardous substances and pollutants into the environment. Climate change litigation is an area of strength for the team, where Neal Manne, Steve Morrissey and Vineet Bhatia are noteworthy individuals.
Under the leadership of Peggy Otum, WilmerHale ‘s energy, environment and natural resources team was recently bolstered by the arrival of Davina Pujari and special counsel Christopher Rheinheimer from Hanson Bridgett LLP. The practice offers clients considerable experience of enforcement,  investigations and litigation matters.

Environment: litigation in United States

Alston & Bird LLP

With coast-to-coast practitioners, Alston & Bird LLP is well placed to handle national environmental litigation and excels in trial and appellate work pertaining to federal environmental statutes, such as the CAA, CWA, RCRA and CERCLA, among others. It has recently been involved in large toxic tort cases, class actions, asbestos claims, drinking water contamination cases and citizen suits, to name a few. The team is jointly led by San Francisco’s Greg Christianson and Atlanta’s Meaghan Boyd, with Christianson bringing 25 years’ experience to the team and a strong track record in Superfund cost recovery, natural resource damage claims and enforcement actions. Boyd is a key name for contamination cases and compliance matters. Jason Levin joined from Steptoe LLP in July 2022.

Practice head(s):

Greg Christianson; Meaghan Boyd


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Dintzer; Clay Massey; Matt Wickersham; Meaghan Boyd; Ronnie Gosselin; Jason Levin


Testimonials

‘Alston has a comprehensive environmental team to address CERCLA claims.’

‘Greg Christianson is a very capable and experienced CERCLA lawyer who has assembled a very capable team working on very complicated and high-stakes litigation for my company.’

‘Any environmental litigation also involves environmental consultants and experts. Greg Christianson has put together an outstanding team of environmental consultants to support the environmental litigation.’

Key clients

Five Point Holdings


Heritage Field El Toro


Chevron U.S.A, Inc.


Schnitzer Steel Industries


Shell Oil Company


Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company LLC


Vulcan Materials Company


Georgia Power Company


IsoNova Technologies


Ascend Elements


Work highlights


  • Rpresenting Schnitzer Steel and MMGL in connection with sediment contamination at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, one of the largest Superfund sites in the country, located on a ten-mile stretch of the Willamette River that runs through the Industrial section of Portland, Oregon.
  • Acting as lead trial and appellate counsel for Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company in the prosecution of numerous federal court condemnation actions against approximately 100 properties in Georgia in order to construct a 115-mile, $472m natural gas pipeline in Georgia.
  • Secured a victory in California appellate court for Chevron U.S.A., along with certain business partners and royalty owners, in a challenge to a countywide ballot initiative that, if implemented, would have shut down all operations at the state’s eighth-largest oil field.

Arnold & Porter

Arnold & Porter offers clients excellent geographical coverage, with attorneys based on both coasts of the US; its environmental litigation team is led by Brian Israel, who is based in Washington DC and Los Angeles, and represents top-tier clients in toxic tort litigation, climate change issues and public nuisance matters. Israel is a name for natural resource damages (NRD) claims, while other key practitioners include Elissa Preheim, who has a strong track record in Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) or ‘forever chemicals’ cases, Michael Daneker, who defends federal and state enforcement actions, and Ethan Shenkman, who is a name for both litigation and regulatory matters, particularly those pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions and renewable fuel standards. In California, Zachary Fayne has notable expertise in Clean Air Act (CAA) and vehicle emissions issues. Judah Prero recently joined as counsel from the American Chemistry Council, Lauren Daniel was promoted to partner and Sarah Esmaili left for an in-house role at the California Coastal Commission. All lawyers based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Brian Israel


Other key lawyers:

Michael Daneker; Elissa Preheim; Zachary Fayne; Lauren Daniel; Judah Prero


Key clients

BP/Atlantic Richfield Company


Honeywell International, Inc.


The Chemours Company


Bayer/Monsanto


Wolverine World Wide Shoes


Warner-Lambert / Pfizer


Conservancy of Southwest Florida


The Mosaic Company


Iogen


Work highlights


  • Serving as lead environmental counsel for Chemours on a range of regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters relating to the discovery of chemicals in the Cape Fear River in North Carolina.
  • Serving as lead toxic tort litigation counsel to Honeywell in the defense of a consolidated class action and approximately 54 individual toxic tort suits in federal and state court arising out of the presence of PFOA in the groundwater and municipal water supply of Hoosick Falls, New York.
  • Representing BP in 22 novel climate change lawsuits filed by state and local governments in California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington and by a fishermen’s trade association.

Baker Botts L.L.P.

Baker Botts L.L.P. has a strong track record in environmental litigation, acting for oil and gas, chemical and water companies in relation to crisis situations, as well as defense before regulatory agencies. The team includes alumna from the Department of Justice’s (DoJs) Environment and Natural Resource Division, Environmental Crimes Section, and Environmental Enforcement Section and is led by Houston’s Scott Janoe. Janoe is well versed in multi-state litigation and acts for clients in the energy, mining, and manufacturing sectors. Steve Solow is a key Environmental Health Safety (EHS) practitioner, Nadira Clarke is a name for white-collar crime and civil matters, and Megan Berge is recommended for climate change issues, including permitting issues and the development of Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) programs. Martha Thomsen and Allison Watkins Mallick were both promoted to partner; Mallick is name for government enforcement actions and CAA issues, while Thomsen handles both litigation and compliance. Kimberly White left for an in-house role at EOG Resources and Jennifer Keane retired. All attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Scott Janoe


Other key lawyers:

Megan Berge; Steve Solow; Nadira Clarke; Allison Watkins Mallick; Martha Thomsen; Lily Chin


Key clients

American Water Works Association


Borla Performance Industries, Inc.


Bp Exploration & Production Company Inc.


Conocophillips


Dcp Operating Company, Lp


Entergy Services, Inc.


Enterprise Products Operating Llc


Exxonmobil Corporation


Gladieux Metals Recycling, Llc


Halliburton Company


Hess Corporation


Intercontinental Terminals Company Llc


Lg&e And Ku Energy Llc


Lyondellbasell Industries


Murphy Oil Corporation


Nrg Energy, Inc.


Occidental Chemical Corporation


Oxbow Calcining Llc


Puget Sound Energy


Repsol Sa


Sempra Energy


Sunoco/aloha Petroleum


Tarrant Regional Water District


Tennessee American Water Co.


Tpc Group Inc.


Union Pacific Railroad Company


West Virginia American Water Co.


Westlake Chemicals Corporation


Wood Group Usa Holdings And Wood Group Usa Inc.


Work highlights


  • Representing Hess, Repsol, Sunoco, and Murphy Oil in a series of climate tort cases brought by various states, counties, and municipalities, alleging liability for damages from climate change impacts.
  • Currently representing Intercontinental Terminals Company LLC in the legal proceedings arising out of a fire at its Deer Park terminal in March 2019.
  • Representing TPC Group, Inc. and TPC Group, LLC in a variety of matters arising out of two November 2019 explosions at its chemical plant in Port Neches, TX.

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. is a unique boutique which focuses solely on environmental law and handles high-profile regulatory and litigation matters for large domestic and international clients. The practice is well versed in toxic tort, soil and water contamination, citizen suits, constitutional law, and enforcement defense cases and also handles prosecution work. The team is led by Washington DC’s John Cruden and New York’s Megan Brillault; Cruden is a DOJ alumnus with considerable experience in environmental and natural resources litigation, as well as civil and criminal enforcement, and compliance, while Brillault acts for Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and individuals on toxic tort litigation, including class and mass actions. In Austin, Maddie Boyer is a name for contentious matters relating to chemical manufacturing and petroleum refining, and Bina Reddy handles drinking water cases and product liablity actions, while John Guttman in Washington DC is recommended for high-stakes toxic tort, product liability and NRD cases. On the associate level, Katrina Krebs handles class action defense and waste management and recycling matters. Former chairman of the firm Benjamin Wilson retired.

Practice head(s):

John Cruden; Megan Brillault


Other key lawyers:

Loren Dunn; Susan Smith; James Slaughter; John Guttman; David Weber; Eric Klein; Bina Reddy; John Paul; Kaitlyn Shannon; Katelyn Ciolino; Maddie Boyer; Katrina Krebs


Key clients

Waste Connections


Clarios, LLC


BASF Corp.


Sasol Chemicals USA


Evraz


Portland General Electric


Energy Transfer Partners


McLaren Health


Sonder Holdings


Work highlights


  • Represented three major chemical manufacturers—ChevronPhillips Chemical Company, LyondellBasell/Equistar, and Westlake Chemical Company—in Texas, Louisiana, and Kentucky in the successful defense of high-stakes enforcement cases brought by the DOJ and EPA based on allegations of major violations of Clean Air Act regulations governing the flaring of excess natural gas.
  • Defending two ethylene oxide (EO) manufacturers, BASF and Sasol, in two high-profile and closely-watched toxic tort actions in federal court in Louisiana.

Bracewell LLP

The environment, lands and resources group at Bracewell LLP is particularly active in the energy sector and acts for top oil and gas, and pipeline companies in the US on a range of environmental litigation issues and reputational matters. The team has considerable experience of agency enforcement actions and negotiations, bankruptcy-related litigation, and permitting and leasing disputes. The group is led by Jason Hutt and Austin’s Kevin Collins, with Hutt handling administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions by federal and state agencies, and Collins experienced in asset-forfeiture actions, internal investigations and industrial accidents. Ann Navaro is a name for climate change issues, as well as natural resources and environmental litigation, while David Super advises clients on claims relating to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the CWA, the CAA, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Jason Hutt; Kevin Collins


Other key lawyers:

Kevin Ewing; Ann Navaro; Jeffrey Holmstead; David Super; Timothy Wilkins; Brittany Pemberton


Key clients

City of Chicago


Eni Petroleum


City of Houston


Venoco Liquidating Trust


Denka Performance Elastomer LLC


The Dow Chemical Company


Chesapeake Energy Corporation


Summit Midstream Partners, LLC


EOG Resources, Inc.


Cheniere Energy, Inc.


Par Pacific


The Gas Compression Association


Kinder Morgan, Inc


Work highlights


  • Represented the City of Chicago since 2015 on its efforts to support the construction and operation of The Barack Obama Presidential Center (OPC).
  • Advised and represented City of Houston in connection with legacy contamination in a historically African American neighborhood known as Kashmere Gardens.
  • Representing companies that own and operate small refineries in their efforts to secure “small refinery exemptions” from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, which is part of the Clean Air Act.

Dentons

The environment and natural resources team at Dentons handles both litigation and regulatory compliance matters relating to federal, state and local environmental laws. It is particularly strong in cases relating to the CWA, CAA, ESA and NEPA, and has a number of high-profile clients in the chemicals industry. Robert Schuda in Los Angeles handles Proposition 65 and consumer products cases. Todd Silliman left the firm in June 2023.

 

Other key lawyers:

Robert Schuda


DLA Piper LLP (US)

The environmental practice group at DLA Piper LLP (US) is led by George Gigounas, who splits his time between San Francisco and San Diego, and Gwen Keyes Fleming, who splits her time between Washington DC and Atlanta and joined the firm from Van Ness Feldman LLP in April 2022. The practice offers coast-to-coast expertise and is particularly strong in PFAS, plastics and climate change issues. It acts for high-profile clients in the manufacturing, defense and chemical sectors.


Practice head(s):

George Gigounas; Gwen Keyes Fleming


Other key lawyers:

Catherine Campbell


Key clients

BASF


BAE Systems


Danone US


Robertson’s Ready Mix


Northrup Grumman


The Chlorine Institute


Government of Georgia’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection


CAE INC


Work highlights


  • Representing BASF in federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the District of South Carolina involving allegations that Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a foam used to suppress large gasoline fires, contains per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctanoate sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which plaintiffs allege are hazardous to human health.
  • Advised Robertson’s Ready Mix on a settlement with San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD).
  • Providing assistance to the Government of Georgia’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection to support the country’s participation in international climate change negotiations, including the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

The environmental litigation and mass tort team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acts for top-tier clients on a range of domestic and international disputes, including civil and criminal matters, bet-the-company litigation, and product liability cases. It is well versed in issues pertaining to catastrophic environmental disasters and has recently been handling a number of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions cases. The practice is led by Stacie Fletcher and Daniel Nelson, with Fletcher recommended for enforcement and defense matters brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various state agencies, and Nelson a key name for class actions and environmental and mass tort litigation. In Los Angeles, Abbey Hudson is a key name for regulatory work, compliance and government investigations, as well as ESG matters, while Patrick Dennis is active in litigation in the manufacturing, energy, aerospace, real estate, and oil and gas sectors. David Fotouhi is an EPA alumnus with considerable experience of enforcement and regulatory issues, while Perlette Jura, who splits her time between LA and Washington DC, is a name for trial and appellate litigation and often handles cross-border matters. Rachel Levick was recently promoted to partner. Named attorneys are based in DC unless otherwise stated.


Practice head(s):

Stacie Fletcher; Daniel Nelson


Other key lawyers:

Patrick Dennis; David Fotouhi; Abbey Hudson; Perlette Jura; Raymond Ludwiszewski; Peter Modlin; Thomas Manakides; Michael Murphy


Key clients

Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz USA


Northrop Grumman


Major players in the coffee industry, including Nestlé USA, J.M. Smucker, Kraft Heinz, Starbucks, Gavina, and Keurig Dr. Pepper


General Electric Company


Dole Food Company


Western States Petroleum Association


Chevron Corporation


Nestlé USA


The Boeing Company


International Paper Company


Greenberg Traurig LLP

Greenberg Traurig LLP fields a large environmental practice spread out across the US and led by Tampa’s David Weinstein, Denver’s Christopher Neumann, Miami’s Kerri Barsh and Steven Russo in New York. The firm handles litigation, regulatory and transactional environmental matters and on the contentious side, is strong in government enforcement actions and cases pertaining to air, water, emissions, wildlife habitats and wetlands. Weinstein is a veteran trial lawyer with a focus on toxic tort cases; Neumann is a key name for enforcement and investigations; Barsh handles regulatory, permitting, and litigation matters; and Russo is recommended for NEPA and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) issues, and environmental crimes. Philadelphia’s David Mandelbaum is experienced in water rights, waste management, and Superfund issues.

Other key lawyers:

David Mandelbaum; Christopher Bell; Paul Seby; Francis Citera


Key clients

State of North Dakota


Union Pacific Railroad


Orlando Utilities Commission


El Paso Natural Gas Company, LLC


Ikonix USA LLC


Apex Oil Company, Inc.


Benjamin Moore & Co., Inc.


KES Systems, Inc.


American Pacific Corporation


Nevada Gold Mines LLC


FMC Corporation


Union Pacific Railroad


MTA Metro-North Railroad


Shopoff Realty Investments


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented North Dakota in North Dakota v. EPA before the US Supreme Court.
  • Representing El Paso Natural Gas Company in connection with the Rico-Argentine Mine Superfund Site in southwestern Colorado.
  • Representing Apex Oil Company in RCRA and CERCLA matter arising from a rupture of underground pipelines from a refinery that resulted in the release of approximately 294,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline.

Hogan Lovells US LLP

The environment and natural resources group at Hogan Lovells US LLP is led by Washington DC’s Adam Kusher and Denver’s Scott Reisch and encompasses regulatory authority alumna, including practitioners with experience at the EPA and the US Department of Interior. The firm is well versed in representing clients before the DOJ and EPA and has recently been handling high-profile litigation pertaining to a range of statutes, such as the CWA, Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Kushner, a former federal prosecutor, is a key name for enforcement programs, and is active in the manufacturing and oil and gas industries, while Reisch is recommended for contamination issues, compliance, and environmental support on transactions. Tom Boer sits in San Francisco and is an experienced trial lawyer with considerable knowledge of environmental statutes; DC’s James Banks has notable experience of compliance, investigations, and permitting proceedings and often acts for environmental groups seeking to protect land.

Practice head(s):

Adam Kushner; Scott Reisch


Other key lawyers:

James Banks; Tom Boer; Ana Gutiérrez


Key clients

B. Braun Medical, Inc.


Apartment Investment & Management Company and Apartment Income REIT Corp


Earle M. Jorgensen Company


Kinder Morgan CO2 Company


Laramie Energy


West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association


Marathon Petroleum Corporation


Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation


Recology


Santa Clara County Sanitation District 2-3, West Valley Sanitation District, Burbank Sanitary District, Cupertino Sanitary District, City of Milpitas (tributary agencies)


Schlumberger Technology Corporation


Smithfield Foods, Inc.


Southern California Edison


Work highlights


Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP offers clients broad expertise in environmental litigation, which includes experience in in air, water, natural resources, waste, chemicals, and climate change. It stands out for its representation of industry associations on regulatory compliance and enforcement defense, as well as policy issues, with a focus on the chemicals sector. The firm has considerable experience of multijurisdictional cases and is also active in the oil and gas, automotive and manufacturing industries. The team is led out of Washington DC by Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan, with Duncan a key name for water and natural resources matters, and compliance and permitting issues, including those pertaining to the CWA, NEPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). San Francisco’s Shannon Broome focuses on ESG and climate change matters and is recommended for risk management and litigation, with over 30 years’ experience. William Brownell is also based in DC and has a strong track record in environmental litigation in cases before the US Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court.

Practice head(s):

Eric Murdock; Deidre Duncan


Other key lawyers:

Shannon Broome; Chuck Knauss; Kerry McGrath; Andrew Turner; Matthew Leopold; Samuel Brown; Alexandra Hamilton; Clare Ellis; William Brownell


Testimonials

‘Hunton’s environmental team is at the cutting edge of environmental issues in the US and has an incredible depth and breadth of environmental regulatory experience.’

‘Hunton is our go-to environmental firm with respect to environmental enforcement and citizen suits.’

‘Samuel Brown is a top-notch relationship partner. He’s incredibly responsive and quickly identifies the team and resources we need to tackle urgent legal matters.’

Key clients

NWP 12 Litigation Group


Air Permitting Forum and Auto Industry Forum


American Iron and Steel Institute


Pinnacle West Capital Corporation/Arizona Public Service Company


Marathon Petroleum Corporation


Work highlights


  • Achieved two significant victories for the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) regarding the issuance of determinations by EPA that both the production of integrated iron and steel and the processing of taconite ore have been controlled to the point that they now pose an acceptable air toxics risk and warrant no further regulation under the Clean Air Act.
  • Advising Cargill, Inc. and providing holistic representation across business units throughout the US and across the globe related to the company’s global product stewardship and sustainability needs, California operations, environmental permitting and compliance, and emerging renewable energy, climate change, and ESG issues.
  • Counseled Pinnacle West Capital Corporation/Arizona Public Service Company through the obtainment of a critical and rare federally issued Clean Water Act NPDES discharge permit for the Four Corners Power Plant on Navajo Nation lands in New Mexico.

Jones Day

Jones Day draws on strength from its network of offices across the US and further afield to assist with both foreign and domestic contentious matters and litigation. Its team, which is lead by Washington DC’s Kevin Holewinski, encompasses federal agency alumna, including practitioners with experience at the DoJ’s Environmental Enforcement Section. On the litigation side, the firm has a strong track record in PFAS, climate change and toxic tort cases, and is able to provide ancillary support in relation to regulatory issues, including investigations. In San Francisco, Thomas Donnelly handles both environmental and insurance law matters and is active in the automotive, aerospace, energy, oil and gas, and mining sectors, among others. Jane Story, who is based in Pittsburgh, is recommended for compliance and litigation, and has particular experience of CERCLA cases.

Practice head(s):

Kevin Holewinski


Other key lawyers:

Thomas Donnelly; Jane Story; Daniella Einik; Daniel Corbett; Thomas Hamilton


Key clients

United Affiliates Corporation


GenOn


Kyocera International, Inc.


Taiwan Cement Corporation


Fluor Corporation


Eaton Corporation


Daikin America and Daikin Industries


Work highlights


  • Representing United Affiliates Corporation in Fifth Amendment takings litigation related to EPA’s withdrawal of permit specifications for valley fills as coal mine.
  • Advising GenOn on a Maryland Department of Environment investigation and potential enforcement matter in relation to alleged discharges from the Morgantown Generating Station.
  • Representing Daikin America and Daikin Industries in connection with class actions, attorney general actions, and individual cases challenging Daikin’s manufacture and sale of PFAS, a class of chemicals that is the focus of intense litigation and regulation in the U.S. and abroad.

K&L Gates

The ‘very responsive and professional’ practice at K&L Gates handles a broad range of disputes in the environmental arena, including permitting, natural resource damages, Superfund matters, and actions brought by regulators. The team, which acts for domestic and international clients, is spread out across the US and is led by Newark’s Brian Montag, Craig Wilson in Harrisburg and Seattle’s Ankur Tohan. Montag is active in the manufacturing, construction, telecoms and chemical sectors on regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters. Dawn Lamparello , who is also based in Newark, handles both compliance and litigation and is well versed in a wide range of federal and state environmental statutes, with a focus on CERCLA and RCRA issues.

Practice head(s):

Brian Montag; Craig Wilson; Ankur Tohan


Other key lawyers:

Joseph Lagrotteria; David Raphael; David Naidu; Dawn Lamparello


Testimonials

‘Very responsive, professional, always presenting all options.’

‘David Naidu is an outstanding partner in our operation.’

‘Brian Montag has been incredibly strong as he has deep relationships with regulators where he has established credibility.’

‘They are incredibly thorough and professional and keep the train moving on time. Also, they understand how to pounce when pouncing is needed and be patient when no action is immediately needed.’

‘Brian Montag is professional and personable and knows a wide variety of experts that are used only as needed.’

‘While it is my preference that we are never in need of their services, they provided great value from day one. That value grew and became more and more apparent over time as well as more accomplishments were notched to scientifically prove we were not only complying with regulations but going stratospherically above and beyond the requirements.’

Key clients

Gary Development Landfill PRP Group


Cooperating Parties Group (CPG)


Mannington Mills


PPG Industries


Ford Motor Company


Energy Transfer Marketing &Terminals, L.P. (ETMT)


Olympus Energy, LLC


BNSF Railway Company


Hog Island Oyster Company


Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance


Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP stands out for its expertise in contaminated sites and the fact that it acts for states and government entities, as well as businesses. The team, which is led by William Jackson and John Gilmour , also focuses on natural resource damages, navigational impairments and property damage cases across the country, as well as administrative matters. Jackson has recently been handling a number of emerging contaminants cases, particularly as they relate to the contamination of drinking water and has represented a number of states throughout the US. Gilmour is a key name for Superfund cases and is well versed in contaminated waterways, soil and groundwater matters. William Petit is active in the energy, transportation, real estate, manufacturing, and construction sectors on litigation and regulatory matters. Named practitioners are based in Houston.

Practice head(s):

William Jackson; John Gilmour


Other key lawyers:

William Petit; Kenny Corley; Andrew Homer; David Reap; Melissa Byroade; Nancy Yanochik; Lana Rowenko; Lauren Shah


Testimonials

‘Kelley Drye Environmental litigation group attorneys provide excellent advice on complex environmental legal issues, excellent representation in and out of court, and routinely go above and beyond to provide unparalleled service to their clients.’

‘William Jackson, Kenny Corley, Nancy Yanochik, and Andrew Homer are phenomenal attorneys.’

Key clients

The State of New Mexico


San Diego Unified Port District (the “Port of San Diego”)


AFFF MDL Matters


Government of Guam


The Valero Companies


The State of New Hampshire


The State of Ohio


The State of North Carolina


The State of New Jersey


The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico


The State of Alaska


Work highlights


  • Advising dozens of governmental entities in Multi-District Litigation (MDL) regarding AFFF.
  • Representing the Government of Guam as lead counsel in a cost-recovery suit against the United States to recover costs incurred in response to the contamination at the Ordot Dump, including the relocation of a community facility, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq. (“CERCLA”).
  • Representing the State of New Mexico and New Mexico Environment Department as lead counsel in asserting claims arising out of the 2015 Gold King Mine Blowout—an environmental disaster that released more than 3 million gallons of acidic mine water and 880,000 pounds of heavy metals into the Animas and San Juan Rivers, which flow through northwestern New Mexico.

King & Spalding LLP

The trial and global disputes; government matters team at King & Spalding LLP offers coast-to-coast expertise and is led by Washington DC’s Granta Nakayama, New York’s Kristen Fournier, San Francisco’s Matt Blaschke and Tracie Renfroe in Houston. The firm fields multidisciplinary groups to advise on litigation and emerging issues, such as forever chemicals, climate change, environmental justice, renewable fuels and ESG matters. Renfroe acts for energy and industrial clients on contamination, toxic tort and product liability cases, and is experienced in international arbitration. Atlanta’s Douglas Henderson is notable for his experience in toxic and mass torts litigation and property rights disputes, while Peter Hsiao in Los Angeles has 34 years’ trial experience, with a focus on environmental and natural resources cases. Recently, Shannon Kasley and Jeremiah Anderson left the firm, as did Megan Nishikawa.

Practice head(s):

Granta Nakayama; Kristen Fournier; Matt Blaschke; Tracie Renfroe


Other key lawyers:

Charles Correll; Douglas Henderson; Nick Kayhan; Peter Hsiao; Elizabeth Taber


Key clients

Chevron Corporation


The Renco Group


Chevron Phillips Chemical Company


Baker Hughes Company


Environmental Resources Management Southwest Inc.


BASF Corporation


International Paper Co.


Dow Chemical Company


Honeywell International


Lafarge/Holcim


Work highlights


  • Advising Delta Airlines on a case arising out of an engine failure on a flight shortly after it departed LAX. Class plaintiffs are individuals with homes located under the flightpath who seek damages from the jet fuel jettison based on trespass and nuisance claims.
  • Advising Shell Oil Company as trial counsel to defend five benzene groundwater contamination cases in Illinois federal and state courts.
  • Advising BASF as lead trial counsel in high-profile lawsuits brought by water purveyors Rio Linda Elverta Community Water District and Sacramento Suburban Water District against the federal government, and manufacturers and suppliers of products alleged to contain the chemical hexavalent chromium.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP fields a strong litigation group which handles a range of environmental enforcement defense and regulatory compliance matters for high-profile clients with a focus on the oil and gas, and chemical sectors. Key areas of focus include civil, criminal and administrative proceedings, mass tort and class actions, and challenges to federal and state rulemakings. Andrew Running is a key practitioner with experience in litigation and arbitration relating to contamination and hazardous waste, product liability and toxic tort, as well as broader commercial issues. Bradley Weidenhammer acts for clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the US and handles environmental and commercial disputes, while Nader Boulos is a name for insurance coverage matters in the aerospace, manufacturing, telecoms and energy sectors. Named lawyers are based in Chicago.

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Running; Kevin Van Wart; Nader Boulos; Bradley Weidenhammer


Key clients

Dow Chemical Company


E.I. Dupont de Nemours & Company, Inc.


Hilco Redevelopment


The Boeing Company


Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown acts for a strong roster of high-profile businesses and associations on domestic and international disputes, including large-scale litigation across the Americas, Asia, the EU and the Middle East. It has recently been active in cases involving emerging issues, such as torts relating to greenhouse-gas emissions, site-based mass tort claims, as well as PFAS litigation, CAA issues and EPA investigations. The team is led by Rich Bulger and Mark Ter Molen, with Bulger offering environmental expertise in contentious matters, corporate and real estate transactions, and government enforcement actions, and Ter Molen, an experienced trial attorney, handling EPA and DOJ matters and federal and state trials and appeals. Timothy Bishop is a key name for appellate matters and has considerable experience of representing clients in the Supreme Court, while counsel Jaimy Hamburg handles class actions, citizens suits and transactional matters.

Practice head(s):

Mark Ter Molen; Rich Bulger


Other key lawyers:

Timothy Bishop; Jaimy Hamburg


Key clients

3M Company


Veolia


National Pork Producers Council


Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc.


American Farm Bureau Federation


United States Sugar Corporation


Foster Farms


Work highlights


  • Currently representing American multinational corporation, 3M, as national counsel in significant high-stakes litigation, which includes representing over 2,500 suits filed by individuals, water suppliers, and units of government at the state and local level.
  • Advising Veolia S.A. and its US subsidiary were in a putative class action with thousands of individual cases in federal and state courts in Michigan in connection with the Flint Water Crisis.
  • Representing two major industry groups in a constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 12 in the Supreme Court.

McGuireWoods LLP

McGuireWoods LLP is particularly strong in CAA regulatory and litigation matters, and the regulation of emerging contaminants. Other areas of focus include toxic and mass torts, nuisance claims, environmental resource damage claims and enforcement actions. The team is led by Charlotte’s David Franchina, and Vishwa Link and Diane Flannery in Richmond. In Washington DC, Makram Jaber is well versed in CAA litigation and EPA enforcement actions, while Aaron Flynn acts for high-profile companies in the utilities, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors on both litigation and regulatory matters.

Practice head(s):

David Franchina; Vishwa Link; Diane Flannery


Other key lawyers:

Darin Waylett; Aaron Flynn; Makram Jaber; Allison Wood


Work highlights


Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP offers client support in both environmental litigation and regulatory matters, and is considerably experienced in enforcement investigations, mass tort litigation, hazardous waste cases, remediation matters and NRD issues. The team is also strong in permitting and compliance relating to large energy, infrastructure and development projects. The group is led by James Dragna in Los Angeles and John McGahren in Princeton, with Dragna advising energy, aerospace, and manufacturing clients across the country on litigation and environmental crises, and McGahren acting as a key name for Superfund and RCRA litigation, and CWA and CAA proceedings. The Princeton-based Stephanie Feingold is recommended for investigations and enforcement actions brought by environmental agencies. Angelo Calfo joined in Seattle from Calfo Eakes in the summer of 2022; Jeffrey Hurwitz retired; and David Brown in Los Angeles and Doug Hastings in Washington DC were promoted to partner.


Practice head(s):

James Dragna; John McGahren


Other key lawyers:

Duke McCall; Stephanie Feingold; Randall Levine; Ariel Kapoano; Sean Radomski; Angelo Calfo


Key clients

Shell


Honolulu Board of Water Supply


Southern California Gas Company and Sempra Energy


Verizon Communications Inc., and GTE Operations Support Incorporated, GTE Sylvania Incorporated and Sylvania Electric Products Inc. (GTE Sylvania Defendants)


The Sherwin-Williams Company


C&I Leasing


The Chemours Company (Chemours) and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (DuPont)


SL Industries


ExxonMobil


Sephora USA


Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation


Handy & Harman, Handy & Harman Electronic Materials Corp., Steel Partners Holdings, L.P., and Plessey Incorporated


CNA Holdings LLC (Celanese)


Mitsui E&P USA, LLC


Weston Solutions, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Represented Shell as plaintiff in obtaining a unanimous $133m jury verdict in an environmental cost recovery lawsuit.
  • Successfully represented the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) in a series of administrative proceedings and lawsuits arising from the contamination of Hawaii’s drinking water resources by the fuel storage operations of the US Navy at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
  • Serving as coordinating and litigation counsel for SoCalGas and Sempra Energy handling more than 394 individual and government complaints involving more than 48,000 individual plaintiffs, multiple class actions, six derivative/securities lawsuits, one criminal proceeding, a Proposition 65 claim, and several administrative enforcement proceedings, including related appeals to the Court of Appeal and the California Supreme Court, among other matters arising from the 2015-2016 natural gas leak at the Aliso Canyon storage facility.

Morrison Foerster

Under the leadership of William Tarantino, Morrison Foerster’s environmental litigation practice has a strong track record in environmental remediation litigation and related class action lawsuits. It is often involved in superfund cases and represents clients before California’s administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. Proposition 65 is another key area of focus, and the practice has been handling these cases for 25 years. Tarantino is experienced in contentious matters pertaining to hazardous substances, mass torts, and consumer product safety and is supported by Erin Bosman, who has similar experience and also handles class actions. Named attorneys are based in San Francisco.


Practice head(s):

William Tarantino


Other key lawyers:

Erin Bosman; Grant Esposito


Key clients

Mars, Inc.


Commerce Trust Company, as trustee of Seven Springs Limited Partnership


Clearwater Seafoods


C&D Technologies Inc.


Clorox Company


Etsy, Inc.


Norcal Harvesting LLC


Northrop Grumman


Mexilink, Inc.


Zinzino AB


Work highlights


  • Advising Northrop Grumman in environmental and toxic tort litigation, including a putative class action and approximately 20 mass tort matters, seeking in excess of $1bn.
  • Represented Commerce Trust Company, as trustee of Seven Springs Limited Partnership, for over ten years in connection with an investigation and cleanup of trichloroethylene (PCE) contamination at a former laundromat in South Lake Tahoe, California.
  • Represented C&D Technologies in a complex, 10-year multi-party environmental remediation litigation brought by the Orange County Water District seeking remediation of a regional plume of volatile organics.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright  is particularly strong in Superfund and proposition 65 cases, and handles a broad range of administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings before the EPA, DOJ and various state agencies. It also has considerable experience of industrial accidents, such as explosions, fires and fatalities and acts for a broad range of clients, including those in the industrial, oil and gas, hospitality, utilities and retail sectors. The team has a strong presence on the West Coast and in Texas and is led by Houston’s Edward Lewis, who is recommended for litigation, enforcement, and compliance. The team was bolstered in May 2022 with the arrival of Scott Burton, who joined from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and splits his time between Los Angeles and Washington DC, while later in the year, Matt Dekovich left for an in-house role at Chevron Oil Company.


Practice head(s):

Edward Lewis


Other key lawyers:

Scott Burton; Elizabeth Weaver; Jeffrey Margulies


Testimonials

‘The environmental litigaion practice at Norton Rose has an extraordinarily deep bench and both the horzonmtal breadth and vertical depth to handle virtually any type of environmenal matter, from the most basic to those with bet your company stakes.’

‘They are particularly strong in Superfund and climate litigation.’

‘I have worked most extensively with Elizabeth Weaver in their Los Angeles office. She has exceptional instinct, tremendous expereince and a keen sense of her clients’ objectives and how to meet them.’

Key clients

KMCO, LLC


Vulcan Materials Company


INEOS


EOG Corporation


Baze Chemical


Marathon Oil Corporation


Syngenta AG


Logisnext Americas


BHP Corporation


American Coatings Association


California Retailers Association


Exxon Mobil Corporation


Goodman Global, a member of the Daikin Group


National Oilwell


Target Corporation


Tarkett North America


The Irvine Company LLC


TriMas Corporation


Vulcan Materials Company


USA Waste of California, Inc.


Shell Oil


The TJX Companies, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Representing one of the nation’s largest producers of construction aggregates (primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel) in connection with a very large environmental Superfund Site in Southern California.
  • Represented Nutrien across the nation and internationally on environmental regulatory, enforcement and M&A matters for over two decades.
  • Representing approximately 15 companies as lead defense counsel in an industry-wide joint defense group involving approximately 80 companies involved in the manufacturing, distributing, retail sales, and licensing of polyester/spandex socks that are alleged to have violated Proposition 65 by exposing individuals to bisphenol-A (BPA).

Nossaman LLP

Nossaman LLP handles disputes and litigation in a broad range of environmental areas, including air quality, contamination, endangered species, hazardous waste and natural resource damages. The team is led from Irvine by Paul Weiland and Alfred Smith II in Los Angeles, with Weiland a key name for litigation, permitting and compliance, and Smith recommended for water matters. Robert Thornton, also based in Irvine, has notable experience of federal and state environmental challenges relating to large infrastructure projects, while Brooke Marcus in Austin handles ESA and NEPA matters. Tim Swickard joined in Sacramento in October 2022 from Greenberg Traurig LLP.

Practice head(s):

Paul Weiland; Alfred Smith II


Other key lawyers:

Svend Brandt-Erichsen; Liz Klebaner; Robert Thornton; Brooke Marcus; Tim Swickard


Key clients

Electron Hydro


California Farm Bureau and farming interests


Santa Clara Valley Water District


Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency


Electron Hydro LLC


State of Alaska


State of Maine Department of Marine Resources


Energy and Wildlife Action Coalition (EWAC)


Kern County Water Agency


Southern California Edison (SCE)


Douglas Development


Bristol-Myers Squibb Company


Siskiyou County, California


Work highlights


  • Acting as outside counsel to Siskiyou County, California regarding the proposal to remove four dams on the lower Klamath River.
  • Acting for the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources in ongoing litigation under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act concerning the Maine lobster fishery and the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.
  • Advising Santa Clarita Valley Water on a $65.9m unanimous jury verdict relating to a complex groundwater contamination case against the Whittaker Corporation.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s environmental team is led by Mark Elliott, who splits his time between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Michael McDonough in LA, Margaret Rosegay in San Francisco, Amanda Halter in Houston and Washington DC’s Jeffrey Knight. The firm has a strong track record in environmental law and handles regulatory, transactional and litigation matters for a range of domestic and international clients, with a focus on the energy sector. Elliott has notable experience in hazardous materials, soil, water, and air quality regulation and litigation, while Rosegay brings 40 years’ experience in regulatory matters in the oil and gas industry.

Practice head(s):

Mark Elliott; Michael McDonough; Margaret Rosegay; Amanda Halter; Jeffrey Knight


Other key lawyers:

Sheila Harvey; Matthew Morrison; Michael McDonough; Tom Van Wyngarden; Reza Zarghamee


Key clients

MP Materials


Saint-Gobain Inc


Walmart


Chevron Corporation


Kinder Morgan


Teck Metals Ltd.


Costco Wholesale Corporation


Pacific Gas & Electric Co.


Valero Energy Corporation


Green Diamond and Humboldt Redwood


Western States Petroleum Association


Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.


PBF Energy


Solvay USA, Inc


Genentech, Inc.


Orsted


Neste


Valero Energy


Opal Fuels


Brookfield Renewable Energy


Arkema


State Soybean Associations


Waste Management


Renewable Fuels Association


Paul Hastings LLP

The environment and energy team at Paul Hastings LLP is based in San Francisco and handles a range of environmental, energy and natural resources litigation cases in California and across the US. The team acts for large domestic and international companies and is led by Chris Carr and Deborah Schmall. Carr is well versed in bet-the-company litigation and has recently been working on cases relating to renewable energy, conservation, energy storage projects and permitting. Schmall is a key name for the defense of enforcement actions, hazardous material regulation, and contaminated property remediation and redevelopment.

Practice head(s):

Chris Carr; Deborah Schmall


Other key lawyers:

Navi Dhillon


Testimonials

‘The experience of the Paul Hastings team I’ve worked with has been invaluable. They are well versed in the substantive law issues we face, and have extensive litigation experience in areas that are important to my clients.’

‘Their experience extends to experience with certain parties who are serial litigants.’

‘I have been working with Chris Carr and Navi Dhillon. Both are very smart and experienced, but more importantly they are able to connect with my clients and explain complicated legal concepts in an understandable manner.’

Key clients

Terra-Gen Power, 8minute Solar Energy and EDF Renewables


West Basin Municipal Water District


8minute SolarEnergy, LLC


AT&T Inc./AT&T Services Inc./Pacific Bell Telephone


Green Diamond Resources Company


Western Digital Technologies / Western Digital Corporation


Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians


Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.


Prologis, Inc. and Liberty Property, LP


Sierra Pacific Industries


American Farm Bureau Federation


National Association of Homebuilders


National Alliance of Forestland Owners


American Forest Resources Council


Federal Forest Resources Council


American Petroleum Institute


Public Lands Council


National Cattlmens Beef Association


Oakland Athletics


Recurrent Energy


Dudek (USDA-APHIS-WS and CDFA)


Intersect Power


The Boeing Company


Associate Capital / California Barrel Company


The Related Companies (Related Santa Clara LLC)


Barclays


Credit Suisse


General Electric


Work highlights


  • Represented Terra-Gen, 8minute Solar Energy, EDF Renewables and Longroad Energy with respect to the development and adoption by the California Fish and Game Commission, and the implementation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, of an emergency regulation authorizing the incidental take of the western Joshua tree by solar energy projects that will generate more than 4000 MW and have an aggregate value in excess of $5bn.
  • Representing Prologis, Inc. and Liberty Property, LP in a high-profile litigation involving a warehouse fire in Carson, CA, and alleged discharges of millions of gallons of waste into the Dominguez Channel.
  • Representing a coalition of national trade associations as intervenors in the a controversial and high-profile federal Endangered Species Act litigation.

Reed Smith LLP

The environmental health and safety law practice at Reed Smith LLP has a broad geographic spread and advises clients on including litigation, transactional and regulatory work. It is particularly strong in air emissions cases, toxic tort matters, investigations and enforcement actions by regulators, arbitration and mediation. Pittsburgh’s Jennifer Smokelin  handles civil enforcement and litigation matters; San Francisco’s Todd Maiden is recommended for environmental, energy and climate change matters; in Houston, Ben Patton is a name for industrial accidents, internal investigations and health and safety; Megan Haines, also in Pittsburgh, has considerable experience in the energy sector; and Peter Trimarchi, who joined in New York in May 2022 from Nixon Peabody LLP , handles environmental risks and permitting challenges.

Practice head(s):

Jennifer Smokelin; Ben Patton; Todd Maiden; Megan Haines; Peter Trimarchi


Other key lawyers:

Mary Balaster


Testimonials

‘Megan Haines has been wonderful to work with. She understands the technical side of what she is representing us for, unlike most lawyers that we have worked with.’

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has a strong track record in soil and groundwater contamination, hazardous waste, and air quality cases, and represents clients before judicial tribunals, as well as in disputes. The practice offers ancillary advice in regulatory and permitting matters and is well versed in interacting with various US regulators. The firm has a substantial presence on the West Coast and the team is led by Jeffrey Parker and Whitney Roy in Los Angeles, who both act for high-profile oil and gas, and aerospace companies. San Francisco’s Nicholas Van Aelstyn has 25 years’ experience in litigation, enforcement and regulatory compliance.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Parker; Whitney Roy


Other key lawyers:

Nicholas Van Aelstyn


Key clients

International Emissions Trading Association


PRP group at the Yosemite Slough Superfund Site


ESCO Group LLC, a division of The Weir Group PLC


RWE Renewables Americas, LLC


Soco West, Inc. and Brenntag Pacific, Inc.


Hanson Aggregates Mid-Pacific, Inc., Lehigh Hanson, Inc. and Martin Marietta


Trojan Battery Company, LLC


OPI Products, Inc.


Protective Industrial Products, Inc., West Chester Holdings, Inc. and Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC


Cosori


Annenberg Foundation


Work highlights


  • Retained by IETA to provide advice regarding aspects of California’s carbon emission cap-and-trade program, including to analyze the effect of the current December 31, 2030 sunset date for the program and to provide advice regarding future legislative and regulatory fixes to extend the life of the program and improve the program elements.
  • Representing a nine-member PRP group at the Yosemite Slough Superfund Site, the largest contaminated sediment site in EPA Region 9.
  • Representing ESCO Corporation with respect to the Portland Harbor Superfund site in Portland, Oregon, one of the country’s Superfund mega-sites.

Squire Patton Boggs

The environmental, safety and health team at Squire Patton Boggs is active in a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing, mining, chemicals, oil and gas, and infrastructure and offers clients both regulatory and litigation support. It is well versed in commercial litigation and also handles exposure, remediation and cost recovery matters. Columbus-based practice head Karen Winters is a key name for environmental liability and compliance issues, while Vincent Atriano, also in Columbus, is recommended for the defense of governmental enforcement actions and citizen suits. In Denver, Carolyn McIntosh handles litigation and regulatory work, and Cleveland’s Douglas McWilliams is recommended for CAA issues.

Practice head(s):

Karen Winters


Other key lawyers:

Carolyn McIntosh; Vincent Atriano; Kendra Sherman; Peter Gould; Alexander Arensberg; Douglas McWilliams


Key clients

Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation|ArcelorMittal Weirton LLC (“AMW”)


Albemarle Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Albemarle U.S., Inc. (together “Albemarle”)


The Mosaic Company


Huntsman Corporation


Truist Financial Corporation (“Truist”)


Union Pacific Railroad Company (“Union Pacific”)


Blackjewel L.L.C.


Work highlights


  • Serving as lead trial counsel for the Defendant in a case where Plaintiffs brought suit against 21 Manufacturing Defendants and two Facility Defendants (including client) due to alleged contamination of their public water supply system by PFAS compounds (namely PFOA and PFOS).
  • Representing a mining operation that has litigated against companies encroaching on its water rights and mining operations; it has resolved 22 appeals of Nevada State Engineer decisions with three active cases remaining, including one that could impact the criteria applied by the state to determine extensions of time to prove beneficial use of water rights.
  • Represented a fertilizer production company in dozens of environmental, safety and health compliance and enforcement (defense) matters annually with favorable results.

Steptoe LLP

Led by Washington DC’s Seth Goldberg and Chicago’s Robert Shuftan, the chemical and life sciences team at Steptoe LLP is active in a broad range of cases, including those relating to medical and industrial hygiene, transport, air, water and waste. More specifically, the practice handles Superfund matters, toxic tort cases, product liability, class actions and Proposition 65 matters. Goldberg is well versed in federal and state regulatory issues, as well international regulatory regimes, while Shuftan offers over 30 years’ experience in litigation with a focus on PFAS, agricultural pesticides, heavy metals and solvents.

Practice head(s):

Seth Goldberg; Robert Shuftan


Key clients

Beazer East, Inc.


Koppers Inc.


Vi-Jon LLC


GROWMARK


Chevron U.S.A. Inc.


Soofer Company Inc.


Gel Spice Company, Inc., Target Corp


Country Life LLC


Eddie Bauer, LLC


Big Lots, Inc.


Cole Haan


Tory Burch LLC


Walmart


Orly Shoe


Enchante Accessories, Inc.


Perrigo Co.


Wish.com


Work highlights


  • Representing four clients (Beazer East, Inc., Koppers Inc., Honeywell International Inc., and Vertellus Specialties, Inc.) in numerous toxic tort cases pending in state courts in Arkansas, California, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington.
  • Representing a wood preservative manufacturer in claims related to the Portland Harbor Superfund site.
  • Representing VI-Jon LLC in a series of consumer class actions alleging that claims on the font labels of Germ-X and “store brand” hand sanitizers stating that they “kill 99.99% of germs” are misleading.

Troutman Pepper

With Atlanta’s Andrea Wortzel at the helm, Troutman Pepper’s environmental and natural resources team continues to advise clients on both regulatory matters and litigation and handles cases in all 50 states for large domestic and international companies, public entities and non-profit organizations. Wortzel is a key name for waste management compliance and related disputes with local government regulators, as well as water supply and endangered species issues. Brooks Smith in Richmond handles citizen lawsuits, environmental tort claims, PFAS issues and enforcement actions, while Fitzgerald Veira, also in Atlanta, deals with nuclear regulatory matters, and CWA and NEPA issues. In summer 2022, the team saw a number of departures, including Catherine Little and Annie Cook, as well as Randy Brogdon.

Practice head(s):

Andrea Wortzel


Other key lawyers:

Brooks Smith; William Droze; Mack McGuffey


Key clients

National Hydropower Association


National Mining Association


Colorado Attorney General’s Office


VEOLIA North America


Southern Company


Georgia Power Company


DeKalb County, Georgia


Dominion Energy


Mount Vernon Mills, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Defended Dominion against a novel Clean Water Act citizen suit in federal district court.
  • Represented the National Hydropower Association (NHA) in a challenge to EPA’s Section 401 Rule, a Rule than NHA supports and secured a stay from the US Supreme Court, keeping the Rule in place.
  • Represented the National Mining Association (NMA) in the DC Circuit and Supreme Court litigation over the Clean Power Plan (CPP) repeal and adoption of the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule.

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Vinson & Elkins LLP offers clients broad expertise in the environmental and natural resources arena and handles crisis management, the defense of high-stakes government investigations, and litigation against regulatory authorities relating to the contention of new regulations. It is active in the manufacturing, oil and gas, and mining industries, and has considerable experience in water, air and contamination cases, as well as those relating to endangered species. The team is led by Ronald Tenpas in Washington DC, with Tenpas recommended for civil and criminal investigations; Austin’s Eric Groten is a key name for CAA issues and defending enforcement actions. Larry Nettles has retired.

Practice head(s):

Ronald Tenpas


Other key lawyers:

Eric Groten; George Wilkinson; Brandon Tuck; Corinne Snow


Testimonials

‘Ron Tenpas and Corinne Snow all have deep experience at either EPA or DOJ and understand federal environmental enforcement.’

Key clients

Adelphia Gateway LLC


Blackstone Energy Partners


Blue Racer Midstream


Bluewing Midstream LLC


Daseke, Inc.


Enable Midstream


Enbridge


Endeavor Energy Resources, LP


Global Companies, LLC


Goldman Sachs


Greer Capital Corporation


Gulf Coast Ammonia


First Reserve


Magellan Midstream Partners L.P.


Northwoods Energy, LLC


Oasis Petroleum, Inc.


Rosehill Resources


San Miguel Electric Cooperative


Sandy Creek Services


Freeport-McMoRan Inc.


IAV GmbH


NextEra Energy, Inc.


PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC


Perpetua Resources


San Miguel Electric Cooperative


Texas Eastern Transmission, LP,


Work highlights


  • Represented IAV GmbH (“IAV”) in connection with the DOJ’s criminal investigation into the Volkswagen emissions system violations.
  • Advising Perpetua for a first-of-its kind settlement with EPA and the US Forest Service that would allow for the removal of legacy environmental contamination and solutions to current groundwater issues associated with those legacy operations while still allowing for active mining and job creation.
  • Representing ALTIVIA Petrochemicals, LLC in a US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Clean Air Act enforcement case brough in United States District Court in the Southern District of Ohio (US v. ALTIVIA Petrochemicals, LLC, No. 1:21-cv-00640) in which EPA alleges noncompliance with various requirements of the National Emission Standards for Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry at ALTIVIA’s petrochemical manufacturing facility in Haverhill, Ohio.

Winston & Strawn LLP

Winston & Strawn LLP’s environmental law team is well versed in enforcement, compliance, and litigation and has a strong track record in air, water, and hazardous waste matters. The firm handles civil and criminal enforcement proceedings, Superfund cases and toxic tort claims and the team is led by Washington DC’s Jonathan Brightbill and Chicago’s Eleni Kouimelis. Brightbill is a veteran trial and appellate attorney and held a high position in the environmental department of the DoJ before joining the firm; he is experienced in in government enforcement actions and investigations, and regulatory challenges, while Kouimelis is an EPA alumna with considerable knowledge of environmental policy.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Brightbill; Eleni Kouimelis


Other key lawyers:

Stephanie Sebor


Testimonials

‘Jonathan Brighbill’s experience as Acting Asst. Atty General for the Energy and Natural Resources Division provides unsurpassed experience litigating the nuanced claims involving federal environmental regulation.’

‘The team of Winston Strawn lawyers Jonathan Brighbill is able to call upon provide a depth and breadth of experience to handle the most complicated and far-reaching matters for industry.’

‘Jonathan Brighbill brings to strategic decisions an understanding of the nuances of federal environmental regulations and the Administrative Procedure Act, along with outstanding judgment.’

‘While outcomes of litigation are never certain, there is confidence that we are persuasively making the best arguments.’

Key clients

Schlumberger


Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC


PETA


Monsanto Company


U.S. Chamber Litigation Center


Abbott Laboratories


Work highlights


  • Scored a second appellate win for Schlumberger Technology Corporation when the Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of all claims against Schlumberger in a significant and long-running environmental dispute against the company.
  • Representing Golden Pass as respondent intervenor against the Sierra Club in its petition for review before the D.C. Circuit Court against Golden Pass’s application to the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to increase its exports of liquified natural gas from its facility in Sabine Pass, Texas.
  • Advised PETA on an action in federal court asserting violations of the Endangered Species Act and state law against Waccatee Zoo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.