Environment & Natural Resources |
Overview
Perkins Coie works with businesses, financial institutions, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and individuals to address environmental issues throughout the United States and abroad. With more than 45 attorneys focused on environmental and natural resource issues, we have extensive experience with the full range of environmental issues and governing statutes. We work with clients on all aspects of project development, including site selection, project design, land and water rights acquisition, environmental assessment, federal and state permitting, and local land use requirements. We have extensive experience with wildlife and habitat protection statutes and assist clients in developing management plans and mitigation proposals. Commercial TransactionsWe frequently advise clients on the environmental aspects of commercial transactions. We work closely with our corporate attorneys and environmental consultants to conduct due diligence in connection with acquisitions. We also assist clients with negotiating indemnification agreements, securing environmental insurance and obtaining other protections from environmental liability. We work with clients to obtain federal, state and local permits for new and existing facilities. We also advise clients on regulatory and permit compliance issues. We conduct environmental audits and help clients to develop and implement environmental compliance management systems. Although we strive to solve our clients’ problems through planning and negotiation, we have substantial capability to litigate disputes when necessary. We represent clients in litigation involving hazardous substance contamination, natural resource damages and insurance coverage. We defend clients in civil and criminal enforcement actions and citizen suits. We also frequently represent clients in administrative hearings and judicial appeals regarding environmental and land use permits. We represent corporations and management in internal compliance audits, and in defending both agency investigations and alleged criminal violations of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Ocean Dumping Act, the Endangered Species Act, and many other federal and state environmental and natural resource laws. Legislation, Regulation & Policy We advocate for our clients at all levels of government, frequently assisting them with the development, implementation and revision of environmental legislation and regulatory policy. Our attorneys in Washington, D.C. assist with federal legislative and regulatory matters, while our attorneys throughout the country provide similar assistance at the regional and state levels. Our team includes former administrative officials, former members of the Department of Justice's environmental divisions and former attorneys and advisors to state governments. We assist our clients to overcome challenges relating to the financing, exploration, development and production of mineral properties. We have played a leading role for our clients in projects in the United States and around the world, and we are the leading law firm for project permitting and development of mineral properties in Alaska. We assist our clients to meet the challenges regarding funding, policy/regulations, development and planning strategies for water resources use and development nationwide. We play a leading role in developing water resource policy for western U.S. water coalitions, individual water agencies and tribal entities. We also work on national policy affecting all water providers or users nationwide. We provide innovative, solution-oriented approaches to solving water supply, water storage, and water use issues for our governmental, industrial and commercial clients. We use our expertise in surface water and ground water law to further our clients interests in projects reliant on sustainable water supplies.
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