Compliance with environmental requirements, monitoring such compliance and adopting sustainable business practices are key issues for many businesses. The implementation of preventive steps, proper processes and training are critical to ensure continued compliance and to reduce exposure to liability. We help our clients to implement such proactive measures and to stay abreast of changes in environmental laws that affect their businesses. We work with clients in the following areas:
Permitting, Compliance and Enforcement
Our extensive experience with environmental permitting, compliance and enforcement matters enables us to advise clients on issues that fall under federal, state and local regulatory enforcement programs, including:
§ Air Quality
§ Chemical Management and Safety
§ Dredging
§ Hazardous and Solid Waste Management
§ Landfills
§ Mining
§ Pesticides
§ Superfund
§ Underground Storage Tanks
§ Wastewater and Biosolids
§ Water Quality
§ Wetlands
Our legal practice includes the representation of clients before federal, state and municipal entities. We assist clients with the implementation of appropriate compliance processes and systems; we also offer training, strategic advice and counseling. We represent clients in administrative enforcement proceedings with local, state and federal authorities. Further, we are well-respected by our peers and maintain solid reputations with EPA Region 6, TCEQ and many other federal, state, regional and local agencies.
Sustainability and Climate Change
Sustainability and climate change are growing areas of concern for businesses seeking to adopt sustainable initiatives. Such initiatives include using renewable forms of energy, limiting production of carbon dioxide, controlling and measuring emissions of greenhouse gases and adopting new environmentally friendly technologies. We helpour clients implement sustainable practices including: green leases/contracts; sustainable/green business polices and practices; and corporate-wide environmental management systems and auditing programs.
Corporate Transactions
Environmental issues play a crucial role in many corporate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition or development of real estate and other assets. We work extensively with our corporate and real estate attorneys to help our clients navigate assess and understand environmental liabilities associated with owning, purchasing, developing or selling such assets.
Environmental Litigation
Our legal practice includes the representation of clients in all types of environmental litigation. We regularly represent our clients in federal and state courts and before local, state, and federal administrative bodies. Our environmental litigation experience includes multi-media environmental enforcement cases, natural resource damage actions, citizen suits, toxic tort litigation and many other types of environmental litigation. We also litigate private disputes concerning environmental issues, including toxic tort and exposure cases, land use disputes and environmental insurance coverage claims.
Superfund and Remediation
We understand that solutions to environmental cleanup are often costly and time consuming. We strive to be cost effective and responsive in representing clients in Superfund cases and other matters involving cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater or sediments. We develop strategies for the recovery of cleanup costs incurred by our clients. Further, we have the experience and knowledge to work closely with technical experts in prosecuting cost-recovery actions and developing proactive cleanup solutions.
Mineral Processing
Regulatory burdens on industries that extract and process hard rock minerals are becoming more restrictive. Our client base includes businesses in the mineral processing industry, and we regularly assist such clients in navigating the burdens imposed by RCRA, the CAA and other federal, state and local requirements.
