Environment: Georgia

THE FIRM King & Spalding is undoubtedly one of the outstanding firms in the Georgia marketplace, and has a strong and well-regarded environmental group. Commentators are continually impressed by the quality, thoroughness and professionalism of the firm's attorneys, who have the expertise to handle the full range of issues in this sector. The team is known for its excellent litigation work, and can also handle highly specialized matters involving brownfield redevelopment, wetlands, the Clean Air Act (CAA) and many other regulatory issues. The firm is heavily involved in the ongoing 'water wars', representing the City of Atlanta and other local governments in the arguments over water resources across the Southeastern USA.

Sources say: "They are really smart people; good at understanding the issues, analyzing strategy, focusing on the heart of the matter and producing relevant arguments."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Patricia Barmeyer is a star performer in this sector, and is highly praised across the board for her expertise and insight. Clients say she is "calm and deliberate; a great speaker who is good at explaining things to lay people." She remains an excellent choice of counsel on matters concerning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA).

Clients find Lewis Jones very easy to get along with, and admire his grasp of the complexities of water law. They say he is "great technically and analytically - he does a lot of the strategic thinking, looks at the meat of the issues and figures out what we need to do." 

Leslie Oakes is a "personable, engaging and detail-oriented" attorney who uses his engineering background to good effect in handling technically complex issues.

Amelia Magee is another Superfund expert, and recently worked on the cleanup of the Alternate Energy Resources site in Augusta, a project with a total cost of $7.3 million.

Since publication, Adam Sowatzka has joined the team from Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. He has a wealth of experience in environmental work, and prior to entering private practice was at the EPA. He "works hard to understand our business so that his advice takes into account our specific situation," notes one satisfied client.

THE FIRM Troutman Sanders has a deep bench of top-quality environmental attorneys and a highly robust practice in the sector. The team is known for the excellence of its litigation work, and in addition to this area of expertise its members advise clients on the full spectrum of issues in this sector. Recent highlights include assisting Southern Company and its subsidiary Alabama Power with a longstanding CAA enforcement case that was originally brought in 1999. Other notable clients of the group include Delta Airlines, Dominion Resource Services and Akzo Nobel Chemicals.

Sources say: "They are outstanding: thorough and highly competent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Recently appointed practice co-leader, Margaret Claiborne Campbell is an "absolutely first-rate" attorney and has recently represented Louisiana electric utility Cleco Corporation in issues relating to the Clean Air Act.

Douglas Henderson is regarded by his peers as one of the preeminent environmental lawyers at the Georgia Bar and is known for his expertise as a litigator. He works with a broad range of institutional clients. 

John Johnson has stepped down as head of the environmental practice group, but remains very active in terms of assisting clients. Commentators are very impressed with his expertise, and are quick to praise his "very useful advice on hazardous waste cleanup matters."

Hollister Anne Hill is known for her expertise in a broad range of environmental matters. Clients say she is "super competent on contamination issues at historic sites and at negotiation of allocation, consent decrees and related issues with other PRPs at multiparty group sites."

Gregory Blount is well regarded by clients and he has been involved in the ongoing and high-profile 'water wars' litigation, advising Gwinnett County on its interests in the matter.

Randy Brogdon is the other co-head of the practice. Clients are consistently impressed with the quality of his work, which has recently included acting as lead environmental due diligence counsel in the acquisition by Oxbow Carbon of International Commodities Export Company.

Andrea Rimer is new to the rankings, and is building a great reputation in the field. Clients say she is "very competent on environmental permits and in negotiating allocations and settlements."

THE FIRM This well-established firm maintains a strong environmental team that can assist clients with a broad range of issues in this space. The group has recently assisted both UPS and Electrolux North America with enforcement and compliance issues throughout the country. It also provided the environmental due diligence for The Carlyle Group's takeover of the North Carolina-based company CommScope. Dow Chemical, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia are among its other notable clients.

Sources say: "They get an outstanding rating - and I'm a tough grader!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Douglas Arnold has an "absolutely outstanding" reputation in this sector, and remains a popular choice with clients. He wins particular praise from commentators for his expertise in toxic tort matters.

Lee DeHihns remains a tremendously distinguished figure in the marketplace, and is able to bring a wealth of experience to bear on environmental matters. He is regarded as "a fine gentleman and a good adversary, who is expert in all areas."

THE FIRM Hunton & Williams boasts a strong presence in this field, and its attorneys handle litigation, compliance and accident response work. The team also has a well-respected niche practice relating to the construction of new pipelines. It works closely with colleagues in other practice areas and other offices to provide a comprehensive and joined-up service to its clients.

Sources say: "I am fully comfortable with the advice I get from them - they are in the vanguard of the legal industry."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Hogfoss is an established and well-respected attorney with a great track record in environmental matters. Clients particularly praise his responsiveness and expertise in matters concerning pipelines.

The "extremely talented" Catherine Little is another key part of the team. She enjoys an excellent reputation in the arena and draws particular acclaim for her analytical qualities.

THE FIRM This high-class boutique has built a reputation for excellence in the practice of environmental law. Its bench is made up of hugely experienced attorneys whose complementary specialties allow the team to take on the most complex matters in the sector and provide clients with an impressive and thorough service. The team acts as national environmental counsel to LNR Properties, and advises Balfour Beatty Communities on the purchase and leasing of properties throughout the US for military housing, taking into consideration such issues as hazardous waste, pesticide use and cleanup, and wetlands preservation.

Sources say: "I like the diligence that they put into the work and the communication about the case. It is a professional firm but without the formality and distance that can sometimes come with professional work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Horder is an experienced and highly able practitioner praised for his "terrific knowledge of environmental law." He comes recommended for his expertise in litigation, particularly with regard to water-related issues.

Skip Kazmarek has an "encyclopedic knowledge of both state and federal environmental laws and regulations." Market sources are full of praise for his work, and highlight his precise drafting skills and excellence in negotiations.

Scott Laseter specializes in the environmental aspects of the buying and selling of property. Clients reserve praise for his "very quick mind," and also single out his style, which is "sharp, incisive and aggressive, but tempered by reason."

Carol Geiger has a great deal of expertise in compliance matters, and is very strong on brownfield redevelopment projects. Clients report that she is "really good at helping us understand things and at folding the environmental issues into business issues."

THE FIRM The environmental team at this well-regarded firm continues to impress with the quality of its work. It is based in Savannah, offering a slightly different perspective from the Atlanta firms. It continues to be highly sought after for its counsel on brownfields, land acquisitions and permitting issues.

Sources say: "Wonderful folks - we go to them if we have questions about coastal issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Ernst is a hugely experienced practitioner who is at the center of the firm's work in this space. He is very strong on wetland and coastal issues, and routinely advises clients on permitting matters.

THE FIRM This high-profile firm has an effective and highly regarded environmental team in its Atlanta office. Its lawyers routinely handle litigation, transactions and regulatory matters. The group's client list includes the likes of the Georgia Gulf Corporation, Torquest Partners and Exide Technologies.

Sources say: "They bring a lot of insight, and give us a better perspective than we would get going in on our own."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Graham Holden is "a fine environmental attorney who represents utilities and is very effective for them." He recently represented Oglethorpe Power in negotiations with the Georgia Forestry Commission in relation to a reforestation project intended to create greenhouse gas emission reduction credits.

Christine Morgan is known and admired for her work on regulatory compliance and transactional issues, and her experience and expertise is a real asset to the group. 

Charles Perry is an experienced and highly able practitioner with the capacity to handle the most complex work in this space. He is particularly known for his expertise in toxic tort litigation.

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THE FIRM This firm's Atlanta environment group retains a strong presence in the market. The team has recently undertaken such work as advising Glynn County on its potential purchase of a brownfield site included on the Superfund list, and assisting Nestlé USA on environmental issues relating to its manufacturing plants across the country.

Sources say: "The firm has an excellent reputation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Susan Richardson focuses on regulatory advice and transactional due diligence. She recently worked with the Georgia Ports Authority on the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental issues relating to the project to deepen Savannah harbor.

Gary Sheehan is experienced in a range of legal matters in the environmental sector and led on the aforementioned matter for Nestlé. "In addition to Gary's legal expertise, professionalism and efficiency, the trait that really sets him apart and provides value to us is his ability to simplify the technical environmental issues in such a way that our business side can clearly understand and implement," a client asserts.

THE FIRM McKenna Long & Aldridge remains a popular choice for complex transactions and litigation in the environmental space. Its lawyers are highly rated for their expertise in regulatory matters, and the firm continues to represent the State of Georgia in the 'water wars' litigation. Other key clients of the group include Capmark Finance, Pratt Industries and Habasit Holding America.

Sources say: "The standard is always very high."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Todd Silliman is a talented all-around environmental expert who has recently advised Habasit Holding America on a dispute relating to a contaminated landfill in Tennessee. Clients appreciate his accessibility and speed of response, and the way he "gives nice detailed answers at the right level."

THE FIRM This well-established operation continues to provide a high-quality service to clients. The team has recently been involved in environmental work arising from the expansion of the port at Savannah in preparation for the increased traffic expected as a result of the widening of the Panama Canal.

Sources say: "Very good and effective."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gerald Pouncey heads the group, and is an expert on M&A activity in this sector. Clients are "very impressed with his timeliness and his always-good counsel on environmental affairs."

Associate Heather Friedman is new to the rankings and is developing an excellent reputation as a talented and reliable member of the team.