Environmental Law
Our attorneys have extensive experience in the review and analysis of complex environmental issues and are able to offer proactive advice on how environmental laws and liabilities can affect real estate and construction projects. This includes experience in dealing with challenges such as wetlands, ACBM (asbestos containing building materials), LBP (lead based paint), mold and other indoor air contaminants, USTs (underground storage tanks) and sites with contaminated soil and ground water. We have experience in acquiring, financing and redeveloping brownfield sites. Counseling clients involved with mandatory and voluntary cleanups is part of our day-to-day practice. Our firm also provides on-going counsel for regulatory compliance and work-place safety issues.
Representative experience includes:
- Represented a community improvement corporation in negotiating the acquisition of brownfields for redevelopment and in conjunction with a Clean Ohio Fund grant application.
- Oversaw environmental due diligence involving hundreds of environmental assessments in connection with GH&R merger and acquisition work.
- Negotiated contracts and oversaw due diligence in the acquisition of a former automobile manufacturing facility for redevelopment for commercial use.
- Negotiated contracts and oversaw due diligence in the acquisition of a former rail yard for redevelopment as a corporate headquarters and research facility.
- Ongoing counseling of regional commercial banks on environmental risks in loan transactions, foreclosures and site acquisitions.
- Represented preferred lender in the redevelopment of a major municipal landfill.
- Represented owners in undertaking clean-up under Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program in obtaining a Covenant Not to Sue and in securing environmental insurance.
- Conducted numerous environmental compliance audits for corporate clients at facilities coast to coast.
- Structured environmental acquisition and compliance strategies for diverse corporate acquisitions, dispositions and on-going operations.
- Prosecuted and defended private recovery/contribution actions under CERCLA, the Federal Superfund law) and Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program.
- Defended corporations and individuals in civil and criminal environmental enforcement cases in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings.
- Represented multiple potentially responsible parties in Superfund cases from coast to coast.
- Negotiated a settlement on behalf of multiple homeowners in a residential “shooting range” case.
- Represented residential landlord in alleged lead paint poisoning matter.
- Representing commercial building owners dealing with indoor air quality complaints.
- Represented former owner of dry cleaning establishment in private cost recovery litigation.