Environmental & Natural Resources

Compliance

Baird Holm attorneys assist clients throughout the Midwest in achieving and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. We have assisted clients in a variety of states in complying with and obtaining permits required by water, air, hazardous waste, solid waste, occupational safety, and other regulatory programs.

Enforcement

We represent clients in inspections, audits, and environmental enforcement actions. We defend clients in enforcement proceedings in all areas, including hazardous waste and underground storage tank programs, toxic substances, and air and water quality laws. Knowledge of environmental regulatory programs and experience in administrative or civil litigation is essential to a successful outcome for a client accused of violating environmental laws. We advise and represent clients, including corporate officers and managers, regarding criminal enforcement matters arising under the environmental laws. Our attorneys have been involved in litigation relating to contaminated sites and spills, including cost recovery litigation under Superfund (CERCLA), remediation of leaking underground storage tanks, and liability based on other regulatory programs.

Real Estate and Financial Transactions

We advise clients concerning the environmental aspects of real estate, energy and finance transactions and serve as counsel to lenders engaged in transactions throughout the United States.

Governmental Issues

We represent municipalities and inter-local cooperative agencies in the organizational and financial aspects of compliance with federal and state environmental mandates, including solid waste disposal, water quality, and allocation of water resources. We also represent governmental entities with regard to compliance, planning, and enforcement issues.

Litigation

Baird Holm attorneys represent clients with regard to litigation involving environmental issues and toxic torts. Suits involving damage caused by contamination can be complex and present a variety of insurance coverage issues for both the insurer and insured. We have represented clients before administrative agencies and in court in cases involving regulatory matters, statutory claims, land use issues, and common law claims of liability related to industrial and agricultural activities. Our attorneys have handled cases involving matters as diverse as litigation involving the siting of a low level nuclear waste disposal site, liability for the removal of hazardous substances under Superfund, toxic tort and nuisance matters, and the defense of class action claims relating to the operators of a large agricultural operation.