Experience
Alston & Bird has represented clients at numerous federal and state Superfund and cleanup sites around the country. Our work includes counseling potentially responsible parties (PRPs) regarding site investigation and remediation, as well as cost-recovery strategies. Beyond this enforcement context, we have represented a number of clients regarding the successful acquisition (or disposition), cleanup and redevelopment of high-profile brownfield sites.
We regularly work with and manage technical consultants, negotiate terms of agency agreements and consent orders, devise strategies for responding to regulatory investigation and cleanup directives, and create favorable cost-allocation schemes. Our attorneys are experts in the legal and technical issues that drive regulatory requirements, along with liability and cost-allocation determinations.
Accolades
Alston & Bird’s environmental practice is perennially ranked among the top in California and Georgia by Chambers USA, a leading independent guide that interviews clients to compile its rankings. As noted in the most recent edition, “[Alston & Bird’s] lawyers are bright and motivated and have an excellent working relationship with the regulators." Our environmental lawyers have also been noted for their “strong reputation in contaminated property, cleanups and CERCLA cost recovery matters.”
In addition, various members of the firm’s environmental practice have been named as leaders in the field by inclusion in reputable peer-based publications, including The Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who Legal and Super Lawyers magazine.
Bringing Value to Our Clients
The investigation and cleanup of environmentally impaired sites virtually always involves regulatory oversight. Beyond our depth of experience and knowledge of applicable laws and regulatory requirements, our team has developed close working relationships with federal, state, regional and local agency leaders and staff that make decisions critical to our clients’ sites and projects. For example, one of our partners is the former general counsel of CalEPA and director of the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC). Three of our partners are active members of DTSC external advisory groups focused on the agency’s policymaking decisions and brownfield and site cleanup programs, respectively. Through our active participation in national, statewide and local networks, we stay closely apprised of evolving trends within the regulatory community.