Polsinelli’s national Environmental team assists clients with all aspects of environmental law, including environmental support for corporate, energy and real estate transactions, remediation of contaminated sites, regulatory compliance and government enforcement actions. With decades of experience, our team advises clients on environmental issues from coast to coast and can assist with understanding complicated federal, state and local regulations.

Transactional

The Polsinelli Environmental team understands the importance of getting corporate or real estate transactions across the finish line, and it is our goal to reduce and reallocate any potential risks identified during the transaction process. We are able to assist with transactions pertaining to any industry and deal structure, and can advise on environmental issues throughout the life of the transaction – including once the deal has closed.

When environmental issues present themselves during a transaction, our focus is to understand the bigger picture and work through potentially applicable regulations, permits and/or certifications to identify solutions that move the deal forward and accomplish our client’s goals. Our team is also well-versed in reviewing environmental diligence materials and working with opposing parties to obtain favorable terms for our clients on buy-side and sell-side transactions.

Remediation of Contaminated Sites

When our clients are confronted with properties requiring remediation, our experience navigating federal and state cleanup programs is invaluable to ensuring the project’s successful completion. By working side-by-side with our clients to complete countless remediation projects under federal programs such as CERCLA and RCRA, or state voluntary cleanup programs, we are well-equipped to develop and implement strategies to efficiently identify and remove contamination from a site and return it to productive use. Whether remediation occurs per a government consent order or voluntarily, we seek a collaborative approach with our clients and the regulators overseeing the project to secure site closure and any available liability protections resulting from completion of the cleanup. 

Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement Actions

The Polsinelli Environmental team assists clients with federal and state enforcement actions, regulatory compliance and facility self-audits to ensure facilities are, and remain, in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.

Should a facility be the subject of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or state enforcement action, our team has the experience necessary to respond and work with the enforcing agency to resolve the potential issues as efficiently as possible. Our team has experience resolving notices of violations, negotiating remedies and defending clients in proceedings before various regulating entities, including EPA, Department of Justice and state equivalents, and responding to information requests or other inquiries from government agencies.

We are also experienced with assisting facilities in managing day-to-day environmental operations of any type of business, including those in the automotive, steel, rubber, semiconductor, construction, mining and health care industries. When our clients are interested in expanding or developing a site, we counsel on applicable permits and assist with navigating the regulations necessary to get the project completed.