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Environment

Environmental

Our attorneys keep you ahead of the curve with innovative, practical legal counsel on regulatory obligations under changing state and federal law. We bring deep legal expertise to transactions, financing, land use, permitting, and litigation involving environmental regulation.

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Environment

Working Toward A Greener Future

Our environmental practice provides a full spectrum of legal services to regulated entities in areas such as air quality, water quality, waste management, and site remediation. We are a leader in emerging issues like climate change, sustainable development initiatives, and water quality trading.

Bringing together multidisciplinary teams across the firm’s many practice areas, we serve clients such as industrial corporations, tribes, project developers, investors, and state and local governments.

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Brownfield Redevelopment and Complex Land Use Strategies

We structure innovative redevelopment strategies for greenfield and brownfield properties, representing property owners, developers, municipalities, and lenders. We’ve served clients on both sides of land use issues. Our attorneys have written extensively on Wisconsin brownfields law, and have served on advisory boards for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Brownfields Advisory Task Force Committee.

Environmental Dispute, Litigation and Appellate Practice

We help clients manage environmental regulatory requirements and risk prevention to minimize potential legal liability. Our experience includes representing clients on civil enforcement matters, litigation, and criminal defense. We have defended clients against state and federal government enforcement actions and handled appeals before state agencies and in trial courts.

Environmental, Health and Safety

We routinely advise clients on identifying and addressing issues related to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and similar state laws. Our services include:

  • Developing diligence strategies for mergers and acquisitions
  • Overseeing assessments prepared by environmental consultants
  • Advising on compliance
  • Preparing and reviewing health and safety programs
  • Responding to OSHA letters, inspections, and investigations
Environmental Transactions, Due Diligence and Risk Management

We advise clients on environmental due diligence in connection with buy and sell-side mergers and acquisitions and complex real estate transactions. Our team has significant experience working closely with clients and third-party advisors on environmental, health, and safety issues in domestic and international transactions, counseling clients on regulatory compliance matters and strategies to mitigate exposure to environmental liabilities and risks.

Nutrient Management

We have represented municipal and private dischargers in developing strategies for compliance with water quality-based effluent limits for phosphorous, including challenging permits. We have also advised parties in structuring strategies for trades of phosphorous credits to dischargers under the new Wisconsin phosphorous programs.

Permitting, Compliance and Enforcement

We provide clients with practical, streamlined, informed approaches to environmental permitting and compliance to support business development plans. Our experience includes advising clients in permitting new and expanded industrial facilities, identifying potential regulatory compliance needs of newly acquired businesses, obtaining new development permits, and defending clients facing regulatory enforcement actions.

PFAS

We have broad, nationally recognized experience with PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, including PFOA and PFOS), and other emerging contaminants. Our approach helps clients be proactive in addressing the potential for PFAS contamination at existing properties and those they may acquire.

Sustainable Development: Innovative Financing and Implementation Strategies

We help clients advance sustainable development goals with our experience in carbon footprint strategies, sustainable development, and sustainable forestry and agriculture. A member of our team is the vice chair of the ABA’s Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Ecosystems Committee.

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"The team is of the highest quality. It can put forward experts in whatever area we need."

Natural Resources & Environment Client Comment
-- Chambers USA

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Our attorneys write on a variety of topics and provide engaging educational opportunities through free webinars and seminars enabling you to stay up-to-date with the most current developments, trends, and legal issues affecting your business.

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Development & Implementation of Large-Scale Solar in Wisconsin

We assisted a Chicago-based energy development company with the development of large-scale (up to 100 MW or more in size) solar facilities in Wisconsin. We provided counsel on state regulatory compliance for the planned facilities, including preparation for and participation in the state's contested case Certificate of Public Convenience on Necessity process that provides for permitting of large-scale solar facilities and local permitting and approvals of projects below 100 MW in size.

  • The first 100 MW-plus project received its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) in 2020.
  • A 150 MW solar facility received its CPCN in June 2021.
  • Approval for a 75 MW solar facility was granted in April 2021.
  • A 74 MW solar facility received a conditional use permit in August 2020.

We continue to provide ongoing advice regarding implementation of these renewable energy projects.

We’re Honored to be Honored

We are honored by awards that reflect our vision for our work. Work-product awards like Best Law Firms and top tier rankings by Chambers USA and Benchmark Litigation help us attract and keep quality talent who are often recognized as Best Lawyers. Our people help us attract clients and build a team-oriented culture that's led to Top Workplace awards year after year.

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