Forest Products

As the forest products industry continues to evolve, it is increasingly crucial for companies to strategically manage their timberlands and resources. Whether it concerns shifting to a real estate investment trust (REIT), developing a timber investment management organization (TIMO) or developing strategies for higher and better uses (HBU), Perkins Coie works with forest product industry leaders at every stage of their businesses.

We assist clients with traditional forest industry concerns such as permitting, environmental compliance and reporting. But we also assist with the optimization of real estate value and various real property issues affecting timberland management, such as major land exchanges and major land sales or acquisitions. Our attorneys are well acquainted with technical issues affecting forestry, such as fish and wildlife conservation, geology, hydrology and cultural resource protection. When necessary, we also represent clients in agency adjudication and litigation before state and federal courts.

We also work with elected officials, agency leaders and industry associations to promote improvements in government policies, regulations and laws affecting the forest products industry. When necessary, we have successfully litigated against unlawful government restrictions, and we have helped to defend programs and regulations that strike a good balance between the interests of the public and industry.

Because we are part of a full-service law firm, we assist clients in a range of matters that can impact their business, including labor, occupational health and safety, litigation, product liability claims, antitrust, securities, business transactions, intellectual property and information security.  We represent some of the leading forest products companies as well as institutional investors in commercial timberland.

Examples of forest industry representations include:

• Endangered Species Act policy, compliance and litigation;
• Product liability claims involving siding;
• Environmental remediation for old mill sites;
• Major sales and acquisitions of timberland;
• Major federal land exchanges;
• Habitat conservation plans;
• Federal land management litigation;
• Forest fire investigation and claims; and 
• Collective bargaining.