Environmental Attorneys in New York, NY

Environmental laws and regulations touch on many aspects of personal and business activities. The right environmental lawyer serves as an invaluable guide through this complex legal field. Any time you are buying contaminated property, applying for construction permits, or facing a government enforcement action, partnering with an environmental lawyer like us is advisable. We have the experience to advocate for your interests while navigating complex regulations.

Buying or Selling Contaminated Property

Purchasing or selling real estate often requires due diligence to uncover potential environmental contamination from past land uses. We can review historical records to determine if activities like industrial operations or waste disposal occurred on-site. We also recommend testing soil, groundwater, or buildings for hazardous substances like asbestos, lead, or chemical spills. This process allows buyers to make informed decisions and potentially negotiate cleanup costs before finalizing a transaction.

Permit Applications and Renewals

Construction projects, manufacturing facilities, and other operations frequently require environmental permits from government agencies. Permitting ensures planned activities meet standards for air emissions, water discharges, waste handling, construction, manufacturing, and wetlands alteration. We guide clients through the permit application processes by preparing documents and communicating with regulators. When existing permits come up for renewal, we can also manage updates to reflect evolving rules. We defend client interests when permits are denied.

Handling Inspections and Information Requests

Responding correctly to inspections or data requests from environmental agencies like the EPA is important in showing compliance. When regulators arrive for a site inspection, we accompany inspectors to provide context, answer questions accurately, and head off any potential misunderstandings. For information requests, we take the lead in assembling and supplying correct documentation within the required deadlines. Our experience helps in gathering pertinent data and records that satisfy the regulators' needs. We also review submissions to identify and withhold any privileged information exempted from disclosure.

Responding to Violations and Enforcement Actions

Even companies with robust compliance programs sometimes receive notices of violations from oversight agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We are equipped to respond to these administrative actions in writing. In cases where violations rise to criminal charges, we build the best possible legal defense. Our guidance can make the difference between a manageable fine and a damaging criminal conviction.

Managing Environmental Impact Studies

Development projects often require submitting environmental impact statements (EIS) for government review. An EIS predicts how the project will affect surrounding air, water, ecosystems, and communities. We help clients assemble these complex studies to meet regulatory requirements. We also facilitate communication with agencies and advocates during public comment periods.

Litigating Environmental Lawsuits

Environmental litigation may arise in cases like natural resource damage, toxic torts, workplace contamination, or nuisance claims. We handle these cases by advising clients on their position, developing case strategies, overseeing pre-trial discovery processes, crafting legal arguments, representing the clients in court, and handling appeals. Our litigation skills can lead to favorable settlements or trial outcomes in environmental disputes.

Advising on Workplace Concerns

Workplace exposure to hazardous substances can lead to serious health issues for employees and legal liability for employers. We advise companies on compliance obligations related to chemical inventories, safety data sheets, reporting of spills, proper personal protective equipment, and permissible exposure limits set by OSHA. We ensure facilities meet all requirements. We also represent companies in responding to workers' health-related claims.

Due Diligence in the Sale or Merger of Companies with Environmental Liabilities

Mergers, acquisitions, and investments involving companies with potential environmental liabilities require thorough due diligence and careful contracting to avoid unwanted and unforeseen liabilities. During due diligence, we review records to check for past incidents or activities at company sites that may have caused contamination. This may include former on-site waste disposal, chemical spills, leaky underground storage tanks, or historical industrial operations. We oversee site assessments, soil/groundwater testing, and building inspections to identify any current issues requiring remediation.

We work to allocate, limit, or protect buyers from assuming past risks through transaction terms and representations/warranties. We may negotiate requirements for sellers to clean up problems before closing or we establish escrow funds to handle future remediation costs.

If you are facing a situation like those outlined above, partnering with an environmental lawyer like us is highly recommended. Our firm has extensive experience advising clients on environmental compliance, permitting, enforcement actions, litigation, and more. We craft tailored solutions that protect both your interests and the environment.

Should you need legal assistance or representation, we, at the law offices of Albert Goodwin, are here for you. We are located in Midtown Manhattan in New York, NY. You can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected].