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 Group has the experience and perspective necessary to develop sophisticated and innovative solutions to the problems that arise where environmental rules conflict with business objectives. Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan has represented corporations, municipalities and private individuals in all matters of environmental enforcement and defense actions under all of the major federal environmental laws at the local, state, and federal levels.

Our environmental attorneys have represented manufacturing companies and other large companies 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.

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.

Surface Water, Groundwater, and Wetlands:

We have experience with all areas of Clean Water Act regulation, including assisting regulated entities apply for and obtain permits to discharge wastewater, comply with permits and respond to enforcement actions. We also have experience with high capacity well permits, water scarcity issues and regulation of navigable water, groundwater, stormwater, riparian rights, dams and wetlands.

Solid and Hazardous Waste and Environmental Cleanup:

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.

Transactional, Siting, and Brownfields Matters:

Our attorneys have guided our clients through complex transactions and siting projects, including the acquisition, cleanup and development of contaminated properties. We have represented buyers, sellers, and lenders in real estate and business transactions where environmental conditions have threatened the outcome of the deals. We work with clients to develop a strategy to successfully complete projects, including environmental due diligence, determining the cost 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, including successfully obtaining grant funding for our clients. We have the technical skills and experience to obtain all required permits, manage environmental consultants and limit the environmental investigations and cleanups to ensure they meet the client’s needs without performing unnecessary work.

Management Counseling:

Team attorneys have assisted general counsel to manage complex corporate environmental programs and guided senior management in strategic decision making. Our attorneys have also worked directly with operations managers and performed numerous compliance audits, prepared procedure manuals and internal newsletters and conducted seminars on environmental policy for employee education. We have also assisted clients in financial disclosure of environmental liabilities.

Land Development Practice Group