Sidley Austin LLP is a premier choice for clients seeking top-tier environmental legal services across litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters. Known for its strength in environmental enforcement and compliance, the firm handles complex cases and advises on critical issues like ESG, PFAS, and climate change. Recent successes include guiding Cummins Inc. to a $1.67bn Clean Air Act settlement, the largest civil penalty in its history. The firm also represents Vineyard Wind 1 in ongoing litigation. Global co-leader of the practice Justin Savage is recognized for his litigation and trial prowess. Byron Taylor is noted for leadership in environmental law and diversity, while Heather Palmer co-leads the firm's ESG and climate change practices, advising on environmental aspects in M&A, corporate securities, and global finance matters.
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Key clients
- Cenovus Energy
- Vineyard Wind, LLC and Vineyard Wind 1, LLC
- Cummins Inc.
- HF Sinclair
- Delek US, Inc.
- Sterigenics
- American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)
- BP North America Inc.
Work highlights
- Representing Vineyard Wind 1 in four lawsuits by project opponents, and also provide strategic advice regarding the permitting and environmental review process.
- Advising five refining industry clients in biofuel litigation under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which challenges the EPA’s decisions regarding small refinery exemptions to U.S. “Renewable Fuel Standards” (RFS) that otherwise require the blending of certain amounts of traditional hydrocarbon fuels with renewable fuels.
- Representing contract sterilizer Sterigenics, for products supplied by the healthcare and food industries, as it confronts litigation, regulatory and legislative threats arising from the use of ethylene oxide as a sterilizing agent in one of its contract sterilizing facilities.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Timothy K. Webster; Justin A. Savage; Byron F. Taylor
Other key lawyers
Heather M Palmer