Environmental Law Lawyers and Attorneys

Environmental attorneys handle regulatory compliance and liability: permits under clean air and water statutes, contaminated site cleanup and Superfund allocation, brownfield redevelopment, wetlands and endangered species questions, environmental review of projects, waste handling, enforcement actions and citizen suits, and toxic tort claims.

Much of the practice is transactional risk allocation — who carries the liability for contamination that predates a purchase — and much of the rest is negotiating with agencies before a dispute becomes an enforcement action.

Before you hire

• For property deals, ask about environmental due diligence early. Liability can attach to an owner who did not cause the contamination.
• Ask about experience with the specific programme or agency involved, state as well as federal.
• If an inspection or notice of violation has arrived, get advice before responding. Voluntary disclosure programmes have rules and timing that matter.

Energy, oil and gas, agricultural and municipal law overlap with this category.