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    Environmental Law

    Our Environmental Law group is the “go-to” team for clients facing governmental enforcement actions or federal, state or local regulatory challenges.

    • Who We Are

      Our Environmental Law Practice Group provides clients with the breadth of experience and depth of knowledge necessary to address the issues presented by federal, state or local government regulations as well as challenges from private parties, such as cost recovery claims.

    • What We Do

      The Environmental Law Practice Group represents clients that may have to litigate with government agencies or which require a decision from a regulatory agency, whether it is the issuance of a permit, interpretation of an agency policy, resolution of an enforcement action, or opinion from an agency board. This representation requires a unique combination of legal and technical skills and a network of contacts, all of which our attorneys possess. Members of this practice group can act as counselors, negotiators, litigators, and mediators as the case requires. The focus of this group is to achieve an expedient resolution of issues in the most cost-effective manner. For most regulatory issues, that usually means developing creative approaches that avoid litigation.  In some situations, however, litigation is the preferred option, or necessitated by circumstances.

      Group members are well-versed in the concepts of federal and Virginia administrative law applicable to all agencies. In addition, each member has special expertise with particular agencies. They know the regulations applicable to their specific agency and can speak the regulator’s language. Group members apply their particular area of emphasis based upon their individual experience with specific agencies.

      Agencies with which group members have established practices include:

      Federal:

      • Environmental Protection Agency
      • Army Corps of Engineers
      • Fish & Wildlife Services
      • Department of the Interior
      • Social Security Administration
      • Occupational Safety and Health Administration
      • National Transportation Safety Board
      • Federal Aviation Administration

      Virginia:

      • Department of Labor & Industry
      • Occupational Safety and Health Program – including VOSH/OSHA audits for our clients to help them avoid the potential risks associated with a VOSH/OHSA inspection
      • State Corporation Commission
      • Parole Board
      • Alcoholic Beverage Control
      • Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
      • Department of Aviation
      • Board for Accountants
      • Board for Contractors
      • Real Estate Commission
      • Department of Health Professionals
      • Board of Nursing
      • Board of Medicine
      • Board of Dentistry
      • Board of Pharmacy
      • Board for Funeral Directors
      • Marine Resources Commission
      • Department of Environmental Quality
      • Department of Games & Inland Fisheries
      • Department of Historic Resources
      • Department of Conservation & Recreation
      • Department of Transportation
      • Department of Health
      • Department of Mines, Minerals & Energy
    • Representative Matters

      Serving as lead counsel, recently put together a Superfund cleanup settlement with EPA involving 91 settling parties. Obtained a favorable cost recovery opinion for a Fortune 500 company in a Rhode Island case, Ashland v. Gar Electroforming, et al.

    • Our Track Record

      Our team works with clients to develop strategies that will complement the client’s business plan. Our efforts to develop practical solutions to environmental issues have been successful in the following areas:

      • Resolution of Superfund and other waste site claims in a cost-effective manner and, frequently, without litigation
      • Implementation of environmental due diligence for real estate purchases and corporate transactions
      • Preparation of contract language to reduce environmental liabilities
      • Resolution of violations of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations
      • Management of underground petroleum storage tanks
      • Development of remediation strategies for improper disposal of solid or hazardous waste
      • Negotiation of development rights for property with wetlands or Chesapeake Bay Act issues
      • Revitalization of industrial sites through the Virginia Voluntary Remedial Program for brownfields
      • Creation of wetlands mitigation banks
      • Issuance of new and revised environmental permits
    • Industries

    • Press And Publication