Environmental

Steptoe & Johnson’s environmental attorneys represent clients before federal, state, and local courts and administrative boards in civil, criminal, and administrative matters, and in administrative and legislative policy setting proceedings. Our attorneys regularly represent and advise businesses on environmental policy and compliance with environmental regulations, managing environmental risks associated with their operations, navigating the permitting process with regulatory agencies, and handling disputes related to environmental issues.

We understand the importance of minimizing fines and legal sanctions related to environmental matters. Our seasoned regulatory attorneys and litigators handle environmental and commercial litigation in high-profile cases. We have extensive experience in federal appellate environmental litigation before several federal, regional and district courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Our environmental attorneys possess the knowledge and experience to understand the highly technical nature of environmental and endangered species issues. This knowledge and experience are crucial to clients that are looking to navigate the complex local, national, and international environmental laws and regulations that affect their operations.

We also understand the value of taking preemptive steps to implement sustainable business practices that comply with laws and promote environmental stewardship that can lead to cost savings and an improved corporate image. Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) attorneys frequently help businesses with their ESG strategy and plans which are increasingly important to investors, consumers, and stakeholders.

Capabilities

Industry and municipality compliance under federal and state laws and regulations
Penalty and enforcement actions
Clean Water Act Citizen Suits
RCRA Citizen Suits
Clean Air Act permitting and related state implementation planning
Site remediation and planning (including Brownfields)
Community benefits planning
Indemnity and transactional documentation
Emerging contaminants
Audit and assessment planning including self audit disclosures
Underground and aboveground storage tank management, remediation, and closure
United States Army Corps of Engineers permitting, compliance, and enforcement under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
Superfund cost recovery, allocations, and site delisting
RCRA and hazardous and solid waste disposal permitting and enforcement
Acquisition of drilled oil and gas wells and undeveloped leases in the Appalachian Basin
Clean Water Act permitting, compliance, and enforcement
Endangered Species Act consultation
Compliance counseling under all environmental regulatory programs
Real estate and infrastructure development
Toxic tort litigation including asbestos
EPCRA/CERCLA releases and reporting
PCB and TSCA
Oil Pollution Act (SPCC)
Cultural Resources/National Historic Preservation Act
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
Pipeline safety (PHMSA)

Highlights

Technical and scientific degrees held by team members in geology, engineering, environmental science, and mining
Leadership roles in environmental/energy trade and law organizations
Team members actively involved in shaping environmental and energy policy and in promulgating regulations and in appellate litigation
Active relationship with state and federal government officials
More than 30% of the team has in-house counsel or regulatory agency experience
Attorneys licensed in IN, KY, OH, PA, VA, and WV
50% of team members recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Chambers USA Ranked
American College of Environmental Lawyers Fellows