Environmental Regulatory & Due Diligence

Most businesses in the United States are subject to a complex web of federal and state environmental laws. Cozen O’Connor is a leading adviser on the application and interpretation of those laws.

The Environmental Regulatory & Due Diligence team is well versed in all major federal and state environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA and SARA, Endangered Species Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. It also includes attorneys with detailed knowledge of regulatory sub-areas, including New Source Review, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, Outer-Continental Shelf Air Regulations, and the Solid Waste Disposal Act.

Cozen O’Connor’s ability to help clients interpret and comply with these statutes is greatly enhanced by having former environmental regulators in our ranks, a number of whom were involved in writing current provisions. The team is led by the former Special Assistant to the EPA’s Director of Civil Enforcement who helped draft regulations implementing amendments to the Clean Air Act. It also includes the former Regional Counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic region and former National Director of the Offices of Pesticides Programs.

To provide relevant, actionable advice, regulatory attorneys must understand the underlying business as well as they understand the environmental laws; Cozen O’Connor immerses itself in client operations, financials, and industry dynamics, and tailors all guidance accordingly.

Regulatory Counseling

The firm works closely with corporate clients to establish their responsibilities under federal and state environmental statutes and design compliance regimes. We conduct comprehensive on-site assessments and audits, make recommendations, and assist in implementation.

Permit Approvals

The firm helps clients navigate the process of obtaining permits and authorizations from federal and state agencies, including permits for New Source Review, Freshwater Wetlands, Outer Continental Shelf Sources, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination, Underground Storage Tank Closures, and others.

Due Diligence

Our team conducts comprehensive due diligence to support a wide range of corporate and real estate transactions, particularly in the utilities, energy, industrial, commercial, and maritime industries. Assistance may include: Phase I and Phase II reports, compliance reviews and audits, inspections, resolution of areas of noncompliance, environmental liability analysis, environmental liability allocation, environmental insurance review, and transferring necessary permits or authorizations.

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Experience

Publications

EPA Signals Enforcement Direction Shifts

May 17, 2021

Marcia Mulkey and James Van Orden discuss the EPA's memo to the national and regional enforcement managers that signals clear and specific enforcement policy expectations in the stressed communities and environmental justice context.

Businesses Using PFAS Chemicals Now Subject to TRI Reporting and Greater Scrutiny

December 01, 2020

Pete Fontaine and Marcia Mulkey discuss the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory reports required for 172 PFOS and PFOA compounds.

New Jersey’s First in the Nation State Environmental Justice Law [Alert]

October 22, 2020

Amorie Hummel, Evan Preminger, Michael Connolly, and Greg Eisenstark discuss the New Jersey law that is the first in the nation to require mandatory permit denials under state law for new facilities and to expressly allow the imposition of conditions on renewal and expansion permits for existing facilities based on environmental justice concerns alone.

Is EPA’s Emergency Approval of Long-lasting Disinfectant a Game Changer? [Alert]

August 31, 2020

Marcia Mulkey and Evan Preminger discuss the EPA's emergency exemption to the state of Texas to permit the use of a chemical disinfectant product that claims to effectively kill viruses on surfaces for up to seven days after application.

Choosing Safe & Effective Disinfection in the Post-COVID-19-World

June 01, 2020

Pete Fontaine partnered with Aramark to provide owners and operators of commercial and institutional facilities with insight into the important differences in SARS-CoV-2 disinfection methods for interior spaces.

Environmental Compliance During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Alert]

April 15, 2020

Pete Fontaine, Marcia Mulkey, and Amorie Hummel discuss how various state and federal orders are impacting the environmental industry.

PFAS in California — Impact of the 2020 Defense Authorization Act [Alert]

February 10, 2020

Peter Fontaine and Marcia Mulkey discuss California’s active involvement in the emerging PFAS challenges and how extensive reporting requirements will result in rapid expansion of information.

Philadelphia Non-Residential Buildings Required to Boost Energy Efficiency Under New Law [Alert]

January 09, 2020

James Van Orden and Matthew Robbins discuss what commercial building owners need to know about the Building Energy Performance Policy bill signed into law by Mayor Kenny.

Congress Passes Federal PFAS Legislation in Defense Authorization Act [Alert]

December 19, 2019

Pete Fontaine and Marcia Mulkey discuss the 2020 Defense Authorization Act, which will speed investigations and cleanups of military facilities contaminated with per- and poly-fluorinated compounds.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

PFAS Regulatory Landscape Update

March 29, 2023 - Lexington, Virginia

PFAS Sampling 101; Phytoremediation at HC-Impacted Site

February 06, 2020 - Burlingame, CA

In The News

Five Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers

February 07, 2023

Super Lawyers has named Los Angeles attorneys Susan A. Grueneberg and Donald C. Nanney and Santa Monica attorneys Thomas W. Casparian, Jonathan S. Gross, and Paul S. Rutter to its 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 Practice Areas Nationwide, 115 Practice Areas Regionally

November 30, 2022

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Grid Hurdles Can't Be Overlooked In US Offshore Wind Push

May 09, 2022

James Van Orden is quoted in a Law360 article that discusses concerns regarding the long-term addition of offshore wind. Experts express that the US grid may not be prepared for what is to come and emphasizes the importance of taking action to accelerate transmission development as the number of turbines in the water continues to increase.

Eight Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 20, 2022

Super Lawyers has named eight Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Biden’s Clean Energy Push Has Wind Industry Thinking Big

February 10, 2021

James Van Orden was quoted in Law360 on the implications of the Biden administration’s executive order, which doubles offshore wind power generation in U.S. federal waters by 2030.

Environmental Lawyer Serves Clients at the Intersection

January 01, 2021

Peter Fontaine, chair of Cozen O'Connor's Environmental Practice, was interviewed by Of Counsel to discuss the practice, his career, most significant cases, and his likes and dislikes about the legal profession.

Cozen O’Connor Gets “A” Grade on the 2020 Law Firm Climate Change Scorecard

October 06, 2020

To receive an A grade, Cozen O’Connor met the criteria for an A grade in either litigation, transactions, or lobbying and has no lobbying nor transactional work on behalf of the fossil fuel industry and no cases exacerbating climate change.

Nine Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 15, 2020

Super Lawyers has named nine Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized As a Best Law Firm in 24 Practice Areas Nationwide, 106 Practice Areas Regionally

November 05, 2019

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from leading attorneys in their field.

Contacts

Peter J. Fontaine

Chair, Environmental

pfontaine@cozen.com

(215) 665-2723

Alison Lecker

Member

alecker@cozen.com

(215) 665-6904

James F. Van Orden

Member

jvanorden@cozen.com

(215) 665-4625

People

Awards

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 Practice Areas Nationwide, 115 Practice Areas Regionally

November 30, 2022

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.

Eight Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 20, 2022

Super Lawyers has named eight Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Nine Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 15, 2020

Super Lawyers has named nine Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized As a Best Law Firm in 24 Practice Areas Nationwide, 106 Practice Areas Regionally

November 05, 2019

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from leading attorneys in their field.

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