America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011: Environment
Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.
In Chambers' 2011 review of national legal talent in the area of "Environment," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.
Chambers' comments:
Nationwide Ranking: Tier 4
The Firm: The environmental team at this respected firm is split between DC and Illinois. Its offers comprehensive advice on general environmental litigation, contaminated property, civil and criminal enforcement and mass torts. The stand-out highlight is the group's representation of BP in litigation arising from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. On the transactional side, the practice supports clients on corporate transactions and regulatory matters. The lawyers' expertise extends to site investigations and cleanups, as well as hazardous waste management.
Key Individuals: Stuart Drake is the main environment contact. He is based in DC and maintains a strong reputation in air pollution work.
District of Columbia Ranking: Tier 4
The Firm: This group maintains a strong practice concentrating on bankruptcy proceedings and M&A. It also routinely advises clients on regulation compliance, enforcement, Superfund insurance, toxic tort, environmental class actions and challenges to federal and state rulemakings.
Sources Say: "This is a serious team that is very active in the bankruptcy area."
Key Individuals: Granta Nakayama is a former EPA lawyer who clients are quick to praise as "incredibly bright and capable in very complex cases." He is particularly highlighted for his work in litigation, enforcement defense and agency rulemakings. Stuart Drake defends enforcement actions in federal and state courts and regularly handles litigation involving regulations, agency rulemaking processes and Congressional matters. His clients include GM and Toyota. Walter Lohmann is a skilled transactional lawyer who focuses on compliance, liability issues, restructuring-related matters and due diligence. His practice is both national and global in scope.
Illinois: Other Notable Practitioners
Andrew Running of Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a strong environmental litigator, and has experience representing several large corporate clients in a wide range of environmental matters. Colleague Mark Lillie is very popular with his firm's clients, who describe him as "an excellent environmental attorney who is easy to work with." They also benefit from his "ability to adjust strategy to changing situations." He has acted for 3M, Exxon Mobil and GM on national environmental suits.
Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011— www.chambersandpartners.com.
