THE FIRM Babst Calland is western Pennsylvania’s pre-eminent environmental boutique. It has the capacity to handle all regulatory, transactional and litigious matters, and its attorneys subspecialize in the full range of fields: air, water, solid waste and natural resources (including mining, oil, gas and coal). The firm is perhaps best known for its natural resources expertise.
Sources Say: “This is our go-to firm for environmental issues nationwide - it has knowledgeable attorneys who are consistently impressive.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Chester Babst handles regulatory, transactional and contentious matters; he is one of the state’s top CAA experts. He recently advised an international chemical company on the resolution of complex air pollution control claims made by state and federal agencies. One of his greatest strengths, according to clients, is his “ability to present forceful written and oral arguments.” Dean Calland is "bright, dynamic and very effective in getting the best result for his clients.” He is an expert on hazardous waste regulation and the RCRA. He is representing a multinational natural resources company in connection with a number of remediation projects. Donald Bluedorn is "good with clients, respected in the community and, above all, an expert in his field.” He focuses on water and wastewater management and hazardous waste regulation. He is advising two companies on wastewater and solid waste permitting issues associated with coal-fired electric generating stations. Kevin Garber specializes in water pollution issues and natural resources law. He also leads the firm’s municipal environmental services practice, where he represents municipalities, municipal authorities and developers. He recently defended a publicly-owned wastewater treatment authority and its customers against a federal CWA administrative order. Lindsay Howard is a Superfund expert, and advises financial institutions on the environmental implications of their loans. He is lead environmental counsel in the investigation and remediation of a former nuclear fuel manufacturing facility. Joe Reinhart“works diligently and produces effective solutions.” He is chair of the firm’s natural resources development group. Robert Thomson is "a sophisticated business attorney, with wide-ranging legal knowledge.” He has an especially strong OSHA practice.
THE FIRM This firm has two Pennsylvania environmental groups, in Berwyn and Philadelphia, which handle the full range of environmental matters. The firm is highly regarded for its Superfund practice and for its expertise in the solid waste industry. It is currently handling legal issues relating to the remediation of the largest Hazardous Site Clean-up Act (HSCA) site in Pennsylvania.
Sources Say: "This firm coordinates well between practice groups to provide seamless service.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Bonnie Allyn Barnett chairs the environmental practice and is managing partner of the firm. She is best known for Superfund litigation. Sources praise her “ability to understand business issues and find workable solutions for clients.” David Brooman“smoothly guides clients through the myriad issues of environmental law.” He is partner-in-charge of the firm’s Berwyn office and focuses on the solid waste industry. David Buzzell is “a tenacious advocate who combines legal acumen with a sound engineering background.” He handles regulatory issues and litigation, with an emphasis on the waste industry. For Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority, he negotiated an agreement between a landfill and its corresponding township for long-term expansion and increased fees. Christopher Boyle"marries knowledge of the law to the practical demands of business.” He is vice-chair of the environmental practice and specializes in construction and land use planning. He also advises a number of investment funds, including Graham Partners Investments, on environmental issues relating to their property portfolios. Like Buzzell, he has a background in engineering.
THE FIRM This firm has three offices across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and focuses exclusively on environmental law. It has a wide range of regulatory expertise, as well as a strong development group. The firm has seen a slow down in transactional work of late, but its energy, alternative energy and sustainability practices have been extremely active. It has also counseled a number of clients on enforcement matters.
Sources Say: “This is a high-quality, collegial firm that pays personal attention to the client.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Fox is "a terrifically talented attorney who commands enormous respect from the market.” He is managing partner of the firm and has a broad practice, spanning regulation, litigation and transactions. He is environmental counsel to Universal Enterprises, a distributor of petroleum products and operator of retail gasoline stations. Marc Gold provides regulatory advice to clients in the water, chemical and rail industries. According to one, “his creative advice has been instrumental to the success of our company.” Michael Meloy focuses on remediation and regulatory issues. He is “smart, diligent and creative.” Bart Cassidy"is a chemical engineer as well as a lawyer, so he quickly grasps the details of our business,” one client reports. He specializes in air regulation and litigation. He recently advised Ashland, a chemical and plastics distributor, on responding to compliance inquiries by the EPA. Jonathan Spergel advises on brownfields and large-scale development, funding for site remediation and general regulation. He acts for O’Neill Properties in connection with regulatory, transactional and funding issues regarding its Sayreville brownfields redevelopment project. Carol McCabe has a highly regarded air regulation practice and works closely with Cassidy. Neil Witkes is "extremely practical and results-oriented.” He heads the firm’s litigation practice. Joseph Manko is the firm’s co-chair of sustainability and has long been a leading figure at the Pennsylvania environment Bar. He acts for Liberty Property Trust, a $6 billion REIT.
THE FIRM This firm's environmental practice has grown significantly recently, with the addition of five attorneys from Ballard Spahr. The firm has traditionally focused on brownfields redevelopment, but now has one of the strongest environmental litigation teams in Pennsylvania.
Sources Say: "This firm is excellent at spotting and then solving complex issues."
David Mandelbaum and Monique Mooney joined the firm from Ballard Spahr in 2009. Mandlebaum focuses on environmental litigation and transactions, and obtained summary judgment for his client, P.H. Glatfelter, in litigation arising from the contamination of Fox River in Wisconsin. “He is phenomenally bright and must be considered one of the most outstanding lawyers in Pennsylvania,” clients say. Mooney has a broad range of expertise and handles transactional, regulatory and litigious matters. She worked with Mandelbaum on the Fox River litigation. Curtis Toll specializes in project redevelopment, environmental liability transfers and the mitigation of environmental risk. One client says: “He has done a great job going to bat for us: he is responsive, creative and thorough.” Samantha Corson is "technically superb and committed to client service." Her practice has a similar focus to Toll's.
THE FIRM This international firm has Pennsylvania offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The environmental group has been heavily involved in issues arising from the development of the Marcellus Shale. It also has experience in PPP and is advising a client with developments in 22 states. The firm has a growing alternative energy practice.
Sources Say: “This firm has serious expertise in environmental law, and through its network of offices it has global reach.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Timothy Weston has expertise in water, oil and gas regulation and transactions. Clients call him "truly exceptional — the dean of water attorneys." He also handles PPP work. Craig Wilson is "smart and talented, and has already developed a huge degree of wisdom.” He focuses on water, oil and gas regulation. John Englert is well regarded for his environmental safety and health practice, where he specializes in hazardous and radioactive materials. Kenneth Komoroski has a background in environmental engineering. He has an excellent reputation for his work in oil and gas regulation.
THE FIRM The majority of this firm’s environmental work is transactional support, where it has a national and international presence. Due to the economic downturn, this work has primarily consisted of advising on environmental issues relating to distressed deals, workouts and foreclosures. The firm has also handled a number of complex litigation and regulatory compliance matters. It has seen an increase in inquiries regarding renewable energy and greenhouse gas regulation.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Abbi Cohen is "an outstanding performer on transactional matters.” She has advised on more than a thousand business transactions across North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Michael Bogdonoff specializes in products liability, mass tort and environmental litigation. “He has a comprehensive knowledge of environmental law and the ability to manage complex cases.” John Ix has a highly regarded practice, spanning litigation, regulation and transactions. He works closely with Bogdonoff.
THE FIRM This firm has five offices in Pennsylvania. It advises on the full range of environmental issues and has clients who range from multinational corporations to municipal bodies.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Joel Bolstein co-chairs the firm's environmental group. While at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, he implemented ‘Act 2’, Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Act, and is now considered “the man to go to for land recycling issues: Mr. Act 2.” His practice centers on brownfields redevelopment, M&A and regulatory counseling. Philip Hinerman is "an outstanding lawyer with a talent for building client relationships.” He is currently representing Philadelphia Housing Authority in connection with lawsuits it has filed against two petroleum refiners, alleging the release of two million gallons of petroleum contamination. He is the firm’s chief sustainability partner.
THE FIRM This firm is best known for its excellent litigation group but has a broad range of environmental expertise, including litigation and Superfund, water resources, air resources, brownfields redevelopment and real estate, and remediation and hazardous waste. It is representing a Fortune 100 company in a Superfund site expected to cost more than $500 million. It also defended a Fortune 500 company in an enforcement action for a release through a sewer system into a stream. The firm frequently advises on alternative energy development and financing, and greenhouse gas regulation.
Sources Say: “This is a small firm that carries a big punch.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Miano is "superb at negotiating with regulators and is always responsive to the client's needs.” He specializes in water issues, where he represents corporate, commercial and municipal clients. He also has Superfund and brownfields experience. Kenneth Warren joined the firm from WolfBlock and is best known for his water expertise. His practice covers regulatory, transactional and litigious matters. He is general counsel to the Delaware River Basin Commission. One client reports: “He has a unique ability to understand our business - he works as a member of our team rather than a hired gun.”
THE FIRM This firm has three Pennsylvania offices, in Philadelphia, Berwyn and West Chester. It has experience handling all areas of environmental law, including brownfields redevelopment, Superfund litigation, regulatory compliance and transactional issues. The firm has three lawyers who are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, and is handling inquiries from a number of clients looking to become more energy-efficient. It also has an active white-collar crime practice.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Timothy Bergère“delivers excellent results and is a joy to deal with." He is chair of the firm’s environmental group and handles a broad range of regulatory, transactional and litigious environmental issues. John Judge, vice-chair of the environmental group, is of counsel with the firm. He has a broad practice, focusing on litigation, environmental counseling and development projects. “He has a wealth of experience and is a safe pair of hands.”
THE FIRM Saul Ewing’s environment, energy and utilities department consists of 35 lawyers across the firm’s nine mid-Atlantic offices. In Pennsylvania, many of the firm���s lawyers have held senior positions in government agencies and in industries heavily affected by environmental regulation. This means the firm works effectively with both corporate clients and regulators.
Sources Say: “This firm provides efficient, high-quality, cost-sensitive service.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Carl Everett “knows Superfund work as well as anyone and has a great sense of clients' needs.” He has expertise in Superfund, regulatory compliance, enforcement matters and tort litigation. He recently resolved EPA enforcement issues relating to PCB contamination of facilities owned by the School District of Philadelphia. He is located in the firm’s Philadelphia office. Joel Burcat, in the Harrisburg office, chairs the firm’s environmental and natural resources group and has broad experience in environmental law. Working alongside lawyers at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, he provided environmental due diligence to KKR on a possible $350 million investment in East Resources, a leader in Marcellus Shale exploration and development.
Alan S Miller of Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton specializes in litigation and counseling in the areas of environmental law and insurance coverage. “
He is an astute litigator who commands respect from peers and loyalty from clients.”Louis Naugle,
“a careful thinker and an effective attorney,” leads Reed Smith LLP’s environmental group. He has experience in litigation, counseling, due diligence and brownfields development.
Howard J Wein of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC is
"one of the deans of the Bar.” He has expertise in water, waste, mining and air regulation, as well as handling environmental litigation and environmental due diligence.
Terry Bossert is chair of Post & Schell, P.C.’s environmental group.
“He is practical, versatile and able to see the big picture,” and has experience in environmental regulation and litigation.
John W Carroll is the chair of Pepper Hamilton LLP’s environmental practice and sits in the firm’s Harrisburg office. He has a wide range of experience, including litigation, counseling, transactional support and government relations. He is considered
“a practical attorney with sound judgment.”Robert L Collings is
"a smart, dedicated lawyer - the complete package.” He is a member of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP’s executive committee, and focuses on environmental regulation and litigation.
Kermit L Rader joined Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin from WolfBlock and is now cochair of the firm’s environmental law group. He has a well-regarded regulatory and transactional practice.
Mark A Stevens of Langsam Stevens & Silver LLP is
"a first-rate litigator with extensive environmental knowledge.” He has advised on a number of hazardous waste site and underground storage tank matters.