Environmental Law
Attorneys in our Environmental Law Group are focused on creative and cost-effective solutions to the challenges environmental laws present. We know that our clients depend upon timely and effective communication and solutions to address their many needs. Our Environmental Law Team has the experience and perspective necessary to solve the problems that arise where environmental rules intersect with business objectives of large and small businesses and local governments.
In 2006, GSH’s Environmental Law Team was selected to serve as national and international environmental counsel for a Fortune 80 Company. We continue to represent this client and others like it in matters across the country, before federal and state regulatory agencies in air, water, and waste compliance issues, remediation matters and transactions, including in national and international mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Solid and Hazardous Waste:
Environmental Law Team attorneys have provided counsel in matters involving the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response; Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), including cost recovery enforcement and defense and counseling at multiple PRP Superfund sites; achieving compliance with and defending enforcement actions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); and in private litigation. We have also represented businesses across the country in State-lead enforcement and voluntary cleanup actions under the many state laws. Our attorneys have counseled clients on international management of waste under the Basel Convention.
Transactional, Siting, and Brownfields Matters:
Our attorneys have the skill and experience to guide our clients through complex transaction and siting projects. We have represented buyers, sellers, and lenders in real estate and business transactions where environmental conditions have threatened to directly affect the outcome of the deals. We work with clients to develop a strategy to successfully complete projects, including environmental due diligence, determination of the cost or a range of costs of environmental conditions, risk management, and contractual allocation of environmental liability. We have also developed creative means to fund and implement cost effective remedial and development strategies for contaminated Brownfields properties.
Surface Water, Groundwater, and Wetlands:
We have experience with water pollution legislation and rules covering wetlands, groundwater, stormwater, riparian property issues, toxics, and pretreatment. Team attorneys have provided compliance counseling, permitting, variances, enforcement, and litigation services in all water-related matters and land use issues at the federal and state levels.
Air Pollution Control and Permitting:
GSH attorneys have the experience to advise and represent clients in construction and operation permitting, enforcement actions, and compliance counseling. We are focused on workable solutions to the many challenges presented by air pollution control rules.
Management Counseling:
Team attorneys have acted as outside general counsel to manage complex environmental programs for corporations and to assist senior management in strategic decision making. This work has included designing and implementing attorney-client privileged environmental audit programs, as well as ensuring that business models comply with complex environmental regulations. Our attorneys have also written materials (including procedure manuals and internal newsletters) and conducted seminars on environmental policy for employee education. We have also provided lead counsel to clients in financial disclosure of environmental liabilities.
Insurance Coverage and Procurement:
Insureds and insurers vigorously dispute whether and to what extent insurance policies provide coverage for environmental damage. As new opinions are frequently handed down on these matters, Team attorneys provide clients with current knowledge of the law. We have also assisted clients in utilizing insurance coverage to manage property and business risk.
Crisis Counseling:
Experience as counsel in connection with fires, explosions, chemical spills, community evacuations, and transportation incidents allow our environmental attorneys to swiftly guide our clients through these intense crises. Environmental Law Team attorneys have assisted management officials responsible for dealing with regulatory agencies, the media, and the public.
