Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins offers its private and public sector clients decades of counseling and substantive experience in all areas of environmental law under state and federal clean air, water, noise, underground storage tank and hazardous substance statutes and regulations.

Compliance, Regulatory Guidance and Litigation

Our attorneys represent private and public sector clients and other attorneys in compliance counseling and regulatory matters, as well as in litigation before state and federal courts and agencies. Our experience includes navigating:

  • Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
  • Leaking Underground Storage Tank Remediation requirements
  • Phase I/Phase II Environmental Site Assessments/Contract Provisions
  • Clean Water Act
  • Clean Air Act
  • Illinois Environmental Protection Act
  • Compliance and enforcement actions
  • Notices of Violations

Our attorneys have also pursued environmental claims with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and States Attorney on behalf of governmental bodies and agencies. We have been involved in the rulemaking and representation of clients before legislative bodies and in administrative proceedings and assist municipal clients through the maze of:

  • Highway Authority Agreements
  • Groundwater ordinances
  • Deed restrictions
  • Eminent domain issues involving contaminated properties
  • Local siting requirements for new pollution control facilities
  • Permits/Rulemaking
  • Environmental compliance audits
  • Obtaining grants under the Illinois Brownfields Redevelopment Grant Program

Environmental Cleanup and Brownfield Redevelopment

Our attorneys are involved in environmental cleanups and Brownfield sites throughout Illinois in which abandoned, idle or underused industrial, commercial or other real properties hinder economic expansion or redevelopment because of the real or perceived presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. The firm plays a significant role in cleaning up and helping to revitalize these sites, frequently through the state voluntary cleanup program.

We assist clients in responding to sites containing hazardous substances and waste including contaminated:

  • Quarries
  • Public utilities
  • Gas stations/automotive repair shops
  • Underground storage tanks/leaking sites
  • Former manufactured gas plants
  • Former dry cleaner sites
  • Former industrial/commercial sites
  • Incinerators
  • Abandoned landfills/dumpsites
  • Treatment, storage and disposal facilities
  • Accidental spill sites

Our attorneys regularly negotiate consultant contracts and remediation and closure plans with governmental agencies, assuring that environmental risks and liabilities are identified and accounted for in the negotiation and implementation of clients’ commercial transactions.

We represent both private and public purchasers and sellers of properties and businesses in due diligence and supervise all levels of environmental assessments. Our attorneys are also experienced with negotiating environmental insurance coverage and have worked with policyholders in determining the obligations to defend and indemnify with respect to environmental matters.