Environmental

Ulmer & Berne provides legal representation in environmental matters to a broad range of clients, including some of America’s largest corporations, small and medium-sized companies, Ohio's municipalities, hospitals, commercial real estate owners, developers, farmers and individuals. Members of our environmental law practice have extensive experience in all aspects of environmental law and associated issues, including:

• Counseling to businesses subject to state and federal regulatory programs dealing with wetlands, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste management, Title V air issues, FEMA, storm water discharge, and solid and hazardous (RCRA) wastes requirements;
• Counseling real estate owners and developers in due diligence evaluation for real estate transactions;
• Representing entities in Superfund (CERCLA) actions;
• Litigating insurance coverage disputes arising from environmental claims;
• Representing entities subject to state and federal enforcement actions arising under the Ohio and Federal environmental laws, including, but not limited to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Ohio Fund;
• Pursuing "private cost recovery actions" under Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program and §107 and/or §113 of CERCLA on behalf of entities that undertook remediation of property contaminated by third parties;
• Negotiating with state and federal agencies to avoid institution of formal enforcement actions (and consequent adverse publicity); and
• Defending criminal charges arising from alleged violations of environmental laws (local and state).

Additionally, the lawyers of Ulmer & Berne's environmental law practice have experience representing clients involved in environmental matters arising under various federal and state statutes and regulations throughout the Midwest, principally in Ohio.