Duane Morris environmental attorneys represent clients with regulatory permitting compliance, environmental review, enforcement proceedings, administrative law hearings, litigation and transaction-related needs. Our lawyers have a depth of experience in defending multiparty environmental litigation matters as well as internal investigations, congressional hearings and criminal jury proceedings.

Our group has been involved in multibillion-dollar transactions and litigated significant cases on complex regulatory issues before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. We defend clients in litigation matters through trial and on appeal.

Duane Morris attorneys have been members of, and frequently deal with, numerous federal and state agencies, committees, commissions and associations that impact our clients.

Duane Morris' environmental lawyers have represented clients on environmental matters arising under an array of federal laws and their state equivalents including, among others, the federal Clean Air Act (CAA), Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act (CWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state "mini-NEPAs," and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With wide-ranging experience, Duane Morris' lawyers have, for example, served as lead counsel for PRP groups in multiparty Superfund litigation; defended clients in civil and criminal CAA, CWA and ESA investigation and enforcement proceedings; represented clients in CAA Title V permit proceedings; assisted clients in obtaining permits pursuant to the CWA and CAA; advised current and prospective landowners on issues concerning protected wetlands; assisted clients with the development of endangered species mitigation banks and habitat conservation plans; represented parties in proceedings concerning hydroelectric relicensing and CWA 401 certifications; and helped develop and defend, as well as challenge, NEPA and ESA documents such as environmental impact statements and biological opinions, respectively. 

Emergency Response Team

Duane Morris also offers emergency management and response services and has extensive experience representing companies in preparing for and addressing catastrophic and emergency situations, including evidence preservations and site control, internal investigations, liability management and stakeholder engagement. Duane Morris has an established team of experienced practitioners that stand ready to assist, and offers an around-the-clock, on-site team of lawyers and other professionals to address issues in real time.

On behalf of clients, our attorneys regularly participate in the development and implementation of large-scale programs, such as major real estate commercial and industrial sites, river and wetlands restoration and hydroelectric relicensing. Our attorneys also have been involved in developing and leading cutting-edge challenges to various CAA enforcement and regulatory compliance matters.

Our strategic approach to each matter is formulated with our client's business goals in mind. Our environmental group has led and managed many client/counsel teams to successful resolutions of multifaceted challenges, often in the face of significant monetary exposures.

Partners in our group have served in in-house corporate roles, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and various state and local agencies.

Duane Morris lawyers are knowledgeable and experienced in the international arena as well, including environmental regulations that affect the operations of cross-border businesses and lending institutions.

Our Clients

Our clients have chosen Duane Morris because of our deep experience and background in all areas of environmental law. Our clients are from a number of sectors, including: manufacturing chemical, electronics, energy, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, consumer products; refineries; environmental consultants and engineers; water districts; investor-owned and municipal electric utilities; large energy users; real estate and financial institutions; multistate and international operating facilities; private water supply developers; agricultural interests; sanitary and utility districts; joint power authorities; industry associations and landowners.

Range of Services

Our Environmental team offers a full range of services and, as a result of our broad experience and capabilities, often advises on long-term planning and competitive strategies to best enable our clients’ businesses.

Types of Matters

  • Administrative Law Hearings
  • Brownfields
  • Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act
  • Clean Air Permitting and Appeals
  • Climate Change
  • Compliance Management
  • Contaminated Sites (Air/Water/Soil) and Natural Resource Damages
  • Complex Multiparty Litigations (CERCLA, RCRA)
  • Economic Analysis
  • Environmental Appeals, Response Management, and Enforcement and Internal Investigations
  • Real Estate/M&A Transactions, Including Due Diligence
  • Ethylene Oxide Litigation
  • Experience in the Energy Sector
  • Justice, Social and Governance Matters (ESG)
  • NEPA
  • Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
  • Permitting and Project Approvals
  • Regulatory Advocacy/Negotiation and Counseling
  • Sediment Sites
  • Toxic Torts and Public Nuisance Litigation

Our Environmental lawyers often work closely with other members of Duane Morris' Energy Team, as well as with members of the firm’s practices dedicated to Trial, Corporate, Finance, Real Estate, Construction, Insurance, Tax, and Business Reorganization and Financial Restructuring, to assist our clients in solving problems. In addition, our lawyers frequently coordinate their work with that of our clients’ government and public relations advisors, including our affiliate, Duane Morris Government Strategies.

For More Information

For more information, please contact Rosemarie DaSilva, Joseph T. Walsh or any of the practice members referenced in the Attorney Listing.