Handling a Variety of Environmental Litigation
Saul Ewing's Environmental Civil Litigation attorneys represent clients in a broad range of civil and criminal litigation and administrative actions. In representing clients in litigation, we balance our clients' goals with the costs of reaching the desired results to provide a cost-effective solution.
Civil Litigation: Representation in a Range of Environmental Matters
We represent clients before state and federal courts (including administrative law courts), boards, and agencies. Our litigators handle a range of environmental matters in civil courts, including:
- Government cost recovery actions under Superfund and comparable state law
- Private-party cost recovery and contribution actions under Superfund and comparable state law
- Enforcement proceedings under Superfund, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, and other federal and state environmental statutes
- Appellate work
- Defense of citizens' suits
- Environmental contract disputes, including environmental contractual indemnification and insurance recovery
Many of these cases are factually and technically complex and involve unique legal issues. Our experience includes the most complicated of cases.
Cost Recovery and Other Environmental Civil Litigation: Finding the Fair Solution
When clients face the costs of remediating contaminated sites, Saul Ewing's Environmental Civil Litigation attorneys bring to the table their technical knowledge and skills (hydrogeology, engineering) plus litigation and trial experience to protect clients’ interests. Our litigators feel that it is important to give the client an understanding of its potential exposure early in a litigation matter. Thus, after investigating and critically analyzing the facts, the applicable law and available defenses, our attorneys will provide the client with an evaluation of its potential exposure. We work with the client in developing an appropriate strategy to resolve the litigation, whether it be settlement, mediation, alternative dispute resolution or continued litigation.
Administrative Litigation: Disputes with Regulatory Agencies
Saul Ewing's attorneys also represent clients in administrative law courts in disputes with state and federal regulatory agencies. We are well versed in handling the highly technical proceedings in these arenas. Our experienced attorneys work with clients to:
- Appeal permit denials
- Defend against notices of violation and penalty assessments
- Negotiate/litigate administrative orders and consent decrees
Environmental Litigation: Technical Knowledge and Former Prosecutors
Defense of criminal prosecution involving alleged environmental misconduct or noncompliance, fraud or false statements requires skill in criminal litigation, insight into current enforcement trends, and a deep understanding of the underlying technical issues.
Saul Ewing's Environmental Civil Litigation attorneys have the breadth and depth of experience and skill necessary to defend a client charged with violating state or federal environmental statutes, including state solid waste management and clean water laws, as well as Pennsylvania mining and blasting statutes. Our team includes a former litigation counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and former state and federal prosecutors who now defend our clients in environmental matters.