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Environment

Environment

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Overview

BCLP has particular depth in the environmental field and we offer a leading environmental practice committed to balancing social, environmental and economic concerns. For more than 30 years, our lawyers have represented clients facing a broad range of environmental issues and challenges, including environmental compliance counseling, litigation, liability management, strategic planning and stewardship. The technical skills of our environmental lawyers combine with a multidisciplinary approach to offer clients an exceptional, comprehensive service. Our practice methods are deliberately solution-orientated and geared towards treating environmental law practice as a means to client’s ends rather than as an end in itself. 

The lawyers who practice environmental law at BCLP have the experience and reach to assist clients in the wide variety of matters they face in the field, in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. The hallmarks of our practice are deep technical knowledge in environmental and occupational health and safety law, a record of success in the litigation and trial of significant environmental and related insurance-coverage lawsuits (including group/class actions and mass torts), and advising on major projects of international, national and regional importance that raise complex environmental issues. We help our clients to navigate through the intricacies of environmental law and policy, including nature conservation, environmental impact assessment, environmental regulatory issues, dispute resolution and the environmental aspects of real estate and corporate transactions. Delivering solutions to environmental problems that confront owners of contaminated land, and developers of regeneration projects on brownfield land, also remains a core part of our business. 

Our lawyers are well aware that it is often essential for corporate and other institutional clients to maintain a working relationship and reputation for integrity, cooperation and environmental excellence with regulators and other public stakeholders. Our lawyers have many years of experience working with agencies and other stakeholders to represent clients effectively and with appropriate sensitivity to their reputational interests.  

Lawyers in the Environmental Practice Group represent the firm’s clients over the full spectrum of environmental and occupational safety and health matters. Please visit our associated environment pages to view more specific areas of our experience.

30+

For more than 30 years, our lawyers have represented clients facing a broad range of environmental issues and challenges.

35+

The more than 35 lawyers who practice environmental law at BCLP have the experience and reach to assist clients in the wide variety of matters they face in the field, in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

Awards

View all awards 

  • BCLP was ranked as National Tier 1 in Environmental by "Best Law Firms" (2018 Edition) 
  • BCLP was ranked by Chambers UK 2019 in Tier 3 
  • BCLP was ranked by Legal 500 UK 2018 in Tier 3
  • BCLP was ranked by Chambers USA 2020 in the following categories: 
    • Colorado – Environment (Band 3) 
    • Illinois – Environment (Band 2) 
    • New York – Environment (Band 1) 
    • St. Louis & Surrounds – Environment (Band 1) 
  • BCLP was ranked by Chambers USA 2021 in the following categories:
    • Colorado – Environment (Band 3) 
    • Illinois – Environment (Band 2) 
    • Missouri: St. Louis & Surrounds – Environment (Band 1)
    • New York – Environment (Band 1)
    • USA Nationwide – Environment (Band 4)

Awards

  • BCLP was ranked as National Tier 1 in Environmental by "Best Law Firms" (2018 Edition) 
  • BCLP was ranked by Chambers UK 2019 in Tier 3 
  • BCLP was ranked by Legal 500 UK 2018 in Tier 3
  • BCLP was ranked by Chambers USA 2020 in the following categories: 
    • Colorado – Environment (Band 3) 
    • Illinois – Environment (Band 2) 
    • New York – Environment (Band 1) 
    • St. Louis & Surrounds – Environment (Band 1) 
  • BCLP was ranked by Chambers USA 2021 in the following categories:
    • Colorado – Environment (Band 3) 
    • Illinois – Environment (Band 2) 
    • Missouri: St. Louis & Surrounds – Environment (Band 1)
    • New York – Environment (Band 1)
    • USA Nationwide – Environment (Band 4)

Strong reputation for its advice on environmental issues associated with real estate transactions and development, including contaminated land, water pollution and waste matters. Attracts particular attention for work on the environmental aspects of key London infrastructure projects. Also impresses with its handling of contentious cases, such as nuisance claims, and its ability to advise on the environmental aspects of large corporate transactions.

Chambers & Partners 

Meet The Team

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Lee Marshall

Global Department Leader – Litigation & Investigations, San Francisco

+1 415 675 3444

View Profile 

Mark Richards

Partner and Regional Practice Group Leader - Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, London

+44 (0) 20 3400 4603

View Profile 

Meet The Team

View All Related Professionals 

Liz Blackwell

Partner, St. Louis

+1 314 259 2513

View Profile 

Paul J. Lopach

Partner, Denver

+1 303 866 0207

View Profile 

Bryan E. Keyt

Partner and Global Practice Group Leader - Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Chicago

+1 312 602 5036

View Profile 

Lee Marshall

Global Department Leader – Litigation & Investigations, San Francisco

+1 415 675 3444

View Profile 

Mark Richards

Partner and Regional Practice Group Leader - Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, London

+44 (0) 20 3400 4603

View Profile 

Liz Blackwell

Partner, St. Louis

+1 314 259 2513

View Profile 

Paul J. Lopach

Partner, Denver

+1 303 866 0207

View Profile 

Bryan E. Keyt

Partner and Global Practice Group Leader - Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Chicago

+1 312 602 5036

View Profile 

Meet The Team

Lee Marshall

Global Department Leader – Litigation & Investigations, San Francisco

+1 415 675 3444

View Profile 

Mark Richards

Partner and Regional Practice Group Leader - Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, London

+44 (0) 20 3400 4603

View Profile 

Liz Blackwell

Partner, St. Louis

+1 314 259 2513

View Profile 

Paul J. Lopach

Partner, Denver

+1 303 866 0207

View Profile 

Bryan E. Keyt

Partner and Global Practice Group Leader - Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Chicago

+1 312 602 5036

View Profile 

Areas of Focus

  • Brownfields

  • Citizen Suits/NIMBY

  • Clean Air Act

  • Clean Water Law

  • Compliance Audits and Internal Investigations

  • Cost Recovery Litigation (Superfund/CERCLA and State equivalents)

  • Criminal Enforcement

  • Endangered Species (ESA)

  • Environmental Review (NEPA and State EIS laws)

  • Hazardous Materials Transportation (HMTA)

  • Hazardous Waste (RCRA)

  • Insurance Counseling

  • International Environmental Law

  • Mobile Source Emissions and Fleet Management

  • Oil Spills

  • Pesticides (FIFRA)

  • Reporting Requirements (EPCRA, CERCLA, Prop 65 and other state laws)

  • Safe Drinking Water (SDWA)

  • Solid Waste and Landfills

  • Toxic Substances Regulation (TSCA)

  • Transactional Work, Including SEC Disclosures

  • Underground Injection Control (UIC)

  • Water Rights

  • Wetlands

  • Ethylene Oxide Team

  • PFAS Team

Related Insights

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Mar 06, 2024

PFAS in food packaging: state-by-state regulations

In the absence of comprehensive federal regulation of PFAS in food packaging, states are dishing out their own laws.  Thus far, twelve states have enacted laws addressing PFAS substances in food containers and packaging materials (“Food Packaging”), and there are fourteen proposed bills that are currently pending in numerous states.  These laws are intended to address concerns that storing food in Food Packaging that contains PFAS compounds may result in increased ingestion of those PFAS substances.  Related to food packaging, a growing number of states are enacting or proposing general bills involving recyclability of food or beverage packaging, but this client alert does not specifically address those requirements as these measures do not exclusively involve PFAS substances. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), commonly cited examples of Food Packaging that have historically contained PFAS substances include “grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.”
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Jan 16, 2024

PFAS drinking water standards: state-by-state regulations

In the absence of an enforceable federal drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) – for the time being anyway - many states have regulated PFAS compounds in drinking water.  The result is a patchwork of regulations and standards of varying levels, which presents significant operational and compliance challenges to impacted industries.  This client alert surveys the maximum contaminant levels (“MCLs”), as well as guidance and notification levels, for PFAS compounds – typically perfluorooctane sulfonate (“PFOS”) and perfluorooctanoic acid (”PFOA”)  – in drinking water across the United States.
Insights
Dec 19, 2023

How UAE is legislating to decarbonise buildings

The built environment is crucial to the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) extraordinary and rapid ascent: since its foundation in 1971, the country has constructed the world's tallest building and largest shopping mall. That scale of development has undoubtably made the UAE the success it is today – but has come at a cost. The World Economic Forum estimates that 40% of global carbon emissions come from buildings and infrastructure, and the lion's share of these come from ongoing building operation. The energy consumption of buildings in the UAE is among the highest in the world, with modern living in the Arabian Peninsula necessitating 24-hour air conditioning in malls, homes and offices.

Related Insights

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Climate Change Due Diligence for Real Estate Acquisitions
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Mar 06, 2024
PFAS in food packaging: state-by-state regulations
In the absence of comprehensive federal regulation of PFAS in food packaging, states are dishing out their own laws.  Thus far, twelve states have enacted laws addressing PFAS substances in food containers and packaging materials (“Food Packaging”), and there are fourteen proposed bills that are currently pending in numerous states.  These laws are intended to address concerns that storing food in Food Packaging that contains PFAS compounds may result in increased ingestion of those PFAS substances.  Related to food packaging, a growing number of states are enacting or proposing general bills involving recyclability of food or beverage packaging, but this client alert does not specifically address those requirements as these measures do not exclusively involve PFAS substances. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), commonly cited examples of Food Packaging that have historically contained PFAS substances include “grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.”
Webinars
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Jan 29, 2024
2023 recap: important US oil and gas decisions
In 2023, the US oil and gas industry witnessed significant legal developments that highlight the importance of careful drafting. This recap, together with my prior analysis, captures some of the pivotal case law that defined the year in the sector.
News
Jan 24, 2024
Tom Lee quoted on regulatory landscape related to PFAS in drinking water
Webinars
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Blog Post
Jan 16, 2024
PFAS drinking water standards: state-by-state regulations
In the absence of an enforceable federal drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) – for the time being anyway - many states have regulated PFAS compounds in drinking water.  The result is a patchwork of regulations and standards of varying levels, which presents significant operational and compliance challenges to impacted industries.  This client alert surveys the maximum contaminant levels (“MCLs”), as well as guidance and notification levels, for PFAS compounds – typically perfluorooctane sulfonate (“PFOS”) and perfluorooctanoic acid (”PFOA”)  – in drinking water across the United States.
News
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The built environment is crucial to the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) extraordinary and rapid ascent: since its foundation in 1971, the country has constructed the world's tallest building and largest shopping mall. That scale of development has undoubtably made the UAE the success it is today – but has come at a cost. The World Economic Forum estimates that 40% of global carbon emissions come from buildings and infrastructure, and the lion's share of these come from ongoing building operation. The energy consumption of buildings in the UAE is among the highest in the world, with modern living in the Arabian Peninsula necessitating 24-hour air conditioning in malls, homes and offices.