Environment: Pennsylvania

THE FIRM This boutique maintains a strong presence in environmental matters, attracting business from key clients in the energy, manufacturing and chemical industries. The firm's deep bench allows individual attorneys to focus their practices upon specialized areas ranging from complex mining issues to air and water regulation. Babst Calland enjoys excellent working relationships with both state and federal environmental agencies and continues to be active in the natural gas arena.

Sources say: "They have the ability to blend their expertise in environmental law with the practical aspects of business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chester Babst "knows the law and comes up with clever, complete solutions." He has recently been involved in a significant air permitting case regarding the defense of a citizen's suit against his client.

Dean Calland provides his clients with expert advice on interpretation of the complex rules of the RCRA and other state and federal regulations. Sources describe him as "very acute, energetic and effective." 

Donald Bluedorn has recently been involved in counseling an electric generating station regarding new facility development. He is "very responsive to our needs, helpful and knowledgeable," according to clients. 

Kevin Garber has a wealth of experience in permitting issues, both on a state and a federal level. He has recently assisted a national coal mining company in dealing with water treatment and liability issues associated with the site. Sources say: "He has an in-depth knowledge of the law." 

Lindsay Howard enjoys a good reputation for his work on waterway cleanup sites. Clients say: "He's technically very strong and provides good advice." 

Joe Reinhart does "excellent work" for his clients, in a wide range of issues from securing mining rights to advising on permitting issues for clients such as Alpha Natural Resources.

Robert Thomson has recently worked on behalf of a manufacturing client on compliance issues. He has deep expertise in both environmental and health and safety law.

THE FIRM Attorneys at this boutique are cultivating a strong Marcellus Shale practice, using expertise in natural gas activity to provide clients with specialized advice. Clients solicit the firm's representation on everything from permitting issues to regulatory compliance. Litigation is also a strong focus at this Bala Cynwyd and Philadelphia-based firm, with attorneys handling toxic tort defense cases and major class actions.    

Sources say: "They've worked hard and developed an outstanding practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Fox is known to be "very smart and business-savvy." He recently handled a number of remediation cases, including federal cleanups of contaminated water ways. He also advises clients on the development of renewable energy projects at closed landfill sites.

"High-quality" lawyer Marc Gold maintains an active practice dealing with regulatory issues arising from the production of oil and gas. These matters regularly involve questions over the use of methods such as hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas.

Michael Meloy is regarded as a "very thoughtful, practical, common-sense lawyer" who has worked on numerous regulatory issues emerging from the Marcellus Shale region.

Bart Cassidy has recently handled a variety of Superfund and litigation matters, including the defense of a multiparty natural resource damage claim.

Jonathan Spergel is highly respected for his work on environmental regulatory matters. In the past year he has acted for a retail client on environmental compliance and enforcement issues.

Joseph Manko draws on his extensive experience in environmental law to provide clients with advice on issues relating to real estate development, regulatory permitting and compliance and transactional matters surrounding M&A.

Carol McCabe is able to advise clients on a range of permitting and compliance issues relating to air, hazardous waste and wastewater. She is experienced in representing clients before a variety of hearings and appeals boards.

THE FIRM Attorneys at this Philadelphia-based firm are widely recognized for their expertise in air regulation and related issues. The firm has recently handled a variety of environmental contamination issues arising from business transactions. The team represents investment banks in the development of previously industrialized sites, and also works with energy clients such as Exelon relating to government enforcement and regulations.  

Sources say: "Outstanding in clean air work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Brendan Collins is "good at building relationships with his clients," and has recently acted for an energy client on a suit brought under the CWA. He is known to be "very smart, analytical and practical" according to commentators.

Robert McKinstry maintains an active practice advising clients on greenhouse gas reduction and compliance strategies.

Glenn Unterberger is admired by peers and clients alike, who say: "He really understands the air issues." He has recently acted in defense of the Philadelphia Port Authority against challenges to its plan to further dredge the Delaware River.

Harry Weiss has been particularly active in Marcellus Shale matters recently and has represented a variety of clients including banks, developers, investors and landowners.

THE FIRM This firm remains highly respected in the areas of Superfund and solid waste management. Attorneys at Drinker Biddle & Reath draw on the large firm's many resources to offer comprehensive, interdisciplinary advice to their clients. The team has recently handled brownfields redevelopment work following an increase in public funding to this area in the past twelve months.  

Sources say: "High level of expertise in niche areas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bonnie Allyn Barnett is a "very good Superfund lawyer" who focuses her practice on sediment issues, including matters pertaining to communities surrounding affected sites, end use and redevelopment. Clients are impressed with her commitment, describing her as "a strong team in herself." 

Ronald Sarachan has a strong reputation for approaching environmental matters from a white-collar criminal investigation viewpoint.

Former environmental engineer Christopher Boyle uses his background to provide advice from a technical perspective. His clients find him to be "very helpful from a practical standpoint." He represents a number of private equity clients.

THE FIRM Following recent expansion, this firm's attorneys continue to show great depth of knowledge in environmental matters. The team specializes in environmental transactional work associated with complex redevelopments. Greenberg Traurig draws upon its international reach to provide excellent service for its clients.

Sources say: "We see them all over the place; they're active and they're talented."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Mandelbaum is "extremely well thought of" in environmental law and acted as lead litigator on the Fox River Superfund case. He has also worked for Seneca Resources on a regulatory matter regarding drilling in Allegheny National Forest.

Samantha Corson has been working closely with manufacturing client Tecumseh Products on remediation matters at various sites.

Curtis Toll receives praise from clients, who give him "ten out of ten for accessibility." He has recently represented South Weymouth Naval Air Station on a complex mixed-use development project.

Paul McIntyre is known as "a real sharp guy and a good lawyer." He specializes in complicated transactions involving properties affected by contamination which raise issues of remediation, insurance and risk management.

THE FIRM In the past twelve months this firm has been involved in significant transactional activity as stronger companies begin to overcome economic difficulties. The team has impressive strength in contentious matters and is recognized as a leading practice for Marcellus Shale issues. Attorneys at the firm also handle environmental insurance coverage disputes and facilities development projects.

Sources say: "They're very thorough and very responsive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Timothy Weston garners a great deal of respect from colleagues and clients, who claim that "his expertise in various subjects is unparalleled." He has recently completed a matter for Calpine regarding the opening of a gas-fired power plant after over a decade of work.

Craig Wilson has recently represented Spectra in various matters involving natural gas pipelines and deep mining beneath them. He is very active in the oil and gas arena and is described by sources as "really outstanding." 

THE FIRM Fox Rothschild works closely with large privately held and middle-market companies to provide them with a full range of environmental services. These include permitting, contamination-related issues and regulatory matters before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. Attorneys within the firm also receive accolades for their strong brownfields redevelopment practice.  

Sources say: "They're responsive and well respected by the EPA."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Cochair of the firm's Marcellus Shale work group, Joel Bolstein is recognized for his work on brownfields redevelopment, with one source stating: "Brownfields and Joel are synonymous." He has represented Clean Earth on recent permitting issues and has also gained successful results in a series of cases on behalf of Synegro.

Philip Hinerman is an experienced litigator who has experience with the Environmental Hearing Board rules committee. He is described as a "very strong individual practitioner."

Christopher Roe is described as a "very diligent, hard-working and intelligent lawyer." He is known for his expertise in compliance assistance and has lately been working on remediation issues for an electronics company.

THE FIRM This boutique has a wide range of experience in all areas of environmental law, including permitting issues, Superfund work and renewable energy matters. Attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of regulatory agencies and rules to advise a wide range of clients, from public bodies to Fortune 100 companies.

Sources say: "Just a wonderful firm." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers and clients alike are full of praise for Steven Miano, who is described as "absolutely outstanding in every way." He has recently handled permitting issues for a range of clients including wind farms and schools.

THE FIRM This firm has been focusing its practice on issues at the forefront of the environmental law landscape. It has been involved in matters relating to the increasing enforcement and regulatory interest shown in natural gas development, particularly directed at hydraulic fracturing and the air, water and noise pollution issues it produces. Attorneys advise clients from wide-ranging industries, such as technology and energy, manufacturing, oil and gas and real estate.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers describe Maxine Woelfling as a "terrific regulatory lawyer." She has recently been handling a series of issues for Elementis Worldwide, including defenses of air quality violations and indemnity claims as well as negotiating a consent order for the company.  

John McAleese has recently acted for Sandvik on contamination-related matters. He is described as "a pleasure to work with," with clients noting that "he has been extremely clear in his thinking and strategy."

Glen Stuart has also been working on contamination issues, particularly for AstraZeneca. He is an experienced litigator who handles a range of cases from Superfund matters to toxic tort defenses.

THE FIRM This firm's environmental practice provides a broad range of services to clients, including litigation, regulatory and transactional counseling. A number of attorneys draw on their previous experiences at the Department of Environmental Protection to provide clients with in-depth advice. The firm is particularly active on issues pertaining to gas extraction and drilling in the region.

Sources say: "I believe we are getting the excellent environmental representation we were looking for."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources say Joel Burcat is "an excellent attorney, a very good client service provider with so much institutional knowledge." He has garnered an impressive reputation for his work on oil and gas industry matters. Recently, he has represented Spectra Energy on matters relating to its pipelines.

Carl Everett uses his background as a trained engineer to add depth to his general environmental practice. He works on clean air issues related to hazardous waste and also handles Superfund matters. Sources describe him as "very intelligent, professional and efficient."

THE FIRM This Pittsburgh-based firm runs the gamut of environmental services, with a strong focus on energy matters. Attorneys at the firm have a wide range of experience with state regulatory bodies and other areas of law such a litigation and IP. This depth of experience allows them to counsel clients on a broad range of issues from toxic tort litigation to brownfields redevelopments.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Howard Wein has appeared regularly before state and federal bodies and is highly knowledgeable on the laws and regulations affecting his clients in the natural resources, energy, gas and water industries.

THE FIRM From its Philadelphia office, this firm's environmental team excels on the transactional side of environmental issues. The firm enjoys an impressive client roster made up of corporate clients, private equity funds and large companies involved in M&A. The group also handles contamination-related issues including vapor intrusion.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "extraordinarily accessible and responsive" Abbi Cohen heads the group and has recently been involved in advising numerous clients on sales and acquisitions. Peers describe her as a "great transactional lawyer."

John Ix is known as "very good on transactions." He maintains an active practice advising national and multinational corporations on divestitures, establishment of credit facilities and acquisitions.  

THE FIRM This firm advises a broad spectrum of clients, including institutional lenders and corporations, on the full range of environmental issues. The team maintains its strength in brownfields redevelopment and Superfund work and has also been advising clients on environmental issues arising from acquisitions and divestitures.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Timothy Bergère draws on previous experience at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to advise clients on a wide range of environmental issues, particularly with regard to regulatory compliance.