Environmental

Achievements

  • Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” – Environmental Law, National Tier Ranking (2012-2025)
  • Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” – Environmental Litigation, National Tier Ranking (2012-2025)
  • Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” – Environmental Law, Metropolitan Tier Ranking (2010-2025)
  • Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” – Environmental Litigation, Metropolitan Tier Ranking (2010-2025)

Experience

  • NEPA / Condemnation

    Represented multiple parties in nationwide combined National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and condemnation matters involving the construction of an urban light rail/subway project through downtown

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  • CERCLA Litigation + Appeal

    Successfully represented a nationwide railcar manufacturer in criminal proceedings concerning lead contaminated facilities brought by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, then in CERCLA

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Overview

Munsch Hardt’s Environmental practice represents clients on regulatory compliance, provides guidance on environmental issues arising out of corporate and real estate transactions and represents defendants and plaintiffs in federal, state, civil and criminal environmental and toxic tort litigation throughout the United States.

We offer one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated environmental law practices in the United States. Consistently ranked nationally since 2012 for both Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”, our team and individual lawyers are recognized for their impressive track record, breadth of experience and results.

Cutting across industries, mediums and substances, our client roster encompasses public and private companies; energy suppliers; petroleum companies; transportation companies; real estate developers and investors; venture capital funds and other financial institutions; manufacturers; instrumentalities; state agencies and other governmental bodies; citizens’ groups; educational and other nonprofit institutions. We also bear experience representing clients who serve as bankruptcy trustees, investors and lenders.

We are particularly well-equipped to meet the unique environmental needs of the energy industry. Our team assists clients engaged in energy development, production, distribution and energy-related technology innovation. We also advise clients on U.S. federal and state environmental laws and agencies that come into play when seeking permits, siting or expanding facilities, engaging in transactions, confronting government enforcement, participating in cleanups or litigating disputes.

Whether active in the energy, transportation, manufacturing, retail, technology or financial industry, our team provides counsel in the following core areas:

  • Air quality and climate change
  • Release reporting
  • Chemicals, pesticides and product regulation
  • Sustainability
  • Contaminated sites
  • Waste management
  • Ecosystem markets
  • Water quality and water resources
  • Environmental due diligence
  • Due diligence investigations and audits
  • Environmental and toxic tort litigation
  • Permit proceedings
  • Hydropower licensing and regulation
  • Representation before regulatory agencies
  • Natural resources
  • Representation of clients in state and federal courts
  • Pipeline
  • Solid and hazardous waste

Why We're Different

Many clients hire Munsch Hardt based on the successful courtroom results we have achieved in environmental matters over the last three decades; however, the substantial value we deliver to our clients doesn’t end there. Where we truly impact our clients' bottom line is by differentiating between claims that must be vigorously litigated at trial and those that should be resolved early in the litigation process, or even before a dispute escalates to litigation. We also assess every aspect of our clients' operations to help identify potential areas of risk exposure and prevent avoidable disputes from arising in the future.

Our attorneys are guided by the principle that client representation, dispute resolution and negotiations with opposing parties must be conducted with dignity and integrity. This approach resonates with clients and is the primary reason why our Environmental practice is built upon numerous referrals from clients, other key industry players and even opposing parties. We are candid about our clients' realistic legal and business options at the outset of every matter, and we never engage in overly-aggressive bully tactics that obstruct a compromise or delay a desired outcome.

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