Arnold & Porter is widely renowned for market-leading expertise at the district, trial, and appellate court levels with coverage across Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles, among others. The group is notable for its climate change and energy transition practice, with work ranging from greenhouse gas emissions to advising on the regulation of automobiles. The practice is co-led from DC by Jonathan Martel, who chiefly focuses on the Clean Air Act, and Allison Rumsey, a key name at the firm for clients on regulatory enforcement actions, class actions, and citizen suit lawsuits at the state and federal level. The firm has a number of key practitioners based out of the DC office, including Michael Daneker, who handles a wide array of disputes from CERCLA litigation to natural resource damage claims, and Elissa Preheim, who has deep knowledge of PFAS and toxic tort matters. Another name in the DC office is Lauren Daniel, an expert on CERCLA, Oil Pollution Act, and Clean Water Act. Splitting his time between New York and New Jersey, Jeffrey Talbert has been active advising on contaminated sites nationally, with previous experience on CERCLA and Superfund sites.

Vastly experienced across federal and state courts, administrative tribunals, and appellate forums, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has a strong bench with experience across environmental, tort, and administrative litigation. The firm also benefits from collaboration with the firm’s wider practices including Appellate and ESG. The firm is led by Stacie Fletcher and Daniel Nelson from Washington DC. Fletcher is engaged in cases relating to federal and state environmental statutes, having acted as counsel on enforcement defense matters with the EPA and state agencies, whereas Nelson particularly focuses on environmental and mass tort litigation. The DC office is home to several key individuals, including Rachel Levick, who is noted for her work across federal and state litigation, agency enforcement actions, and administrative rulemaking proceedings; Michael Murphy, a name for CERCLA disputes; and Peter Seley, an expert on international environmental disputes and environmental investigations. Orange County-based Thomas Manakides receives a stream of work from varied industries extending to oil and gas, aerospace, and waste. The Los Angeles office is home to Abbey Hudson, a key contact for California environmental matters involving the relevant agencies such as the California Air Resources Board, and Patrick Dennis.

Noted by one client for its ‘client service, creativity, and execution’, Latham & Watkins is home to an experienced litigation team, including practitioners who were previously senior officials in the US Government before joining the practice. New York-based Gary Gengel represents clients in natural resource damage claims. Over in Washington DC, Stacey VanBelleghem is experienced in climate change and air quality matters, having represented clients on greenhouse gas regulations. The two co-lead the practice. Also in DC, Janice M. Schneider has been active as a first-chair litigator at the federal, district, and appellate courts. Over in the Chicago office, Mary Rose Alexander is noted for her work on multi-state, multi-plaintiff litigation for energy, manufacturing, and chemical company clients, while Robin M. Hulshizer chiefly focuses on greenwashing claims and environmental justice-based claims, coupled with experience representing companies before government agencies and in commercial litigation. New York-based Thomas Pearce is another name of note for his work for clients across renewable energy, manufacturing, and chemicals.

Baker Botts L.L.P.‘s environmental, safety, and incident response practice provides counsel to clients in crises and handles follow-on litigation, including damage claims and defense against class and individual lawsuits. The firm pairs this with activity in contentious work arising from waste and contaminated sites. The practice is led by Houston’s Scott Janoe, who boasts long-standing experience advising energy, mining, and manufacturing clients. Meanwhile, operating out of Washington DC, Joshua Frank‘s broad practice spans cost recovery, contribution and natural resource damage litigation under CERCLA, and Clean Air Act litigation. Kent Mayo is well-versed in toxic tort and class action litigation, while Allison Watkins Mallick represents clients in government enforcement actions and private citizen suits arising from the Clean Air Act, and Martha Thomsen covers suits arising from CERCLA. The three are based in DC. Megan Berge left the practice in March 2025.

Balch & Bingham LLP stands out for its expertise in handling a wide range of environmental matters, including regulatory issues, water quality disputes, waste management programs, climate change-related issues, and permit use, as well as emerging issues such as PFAS/forever chemicals. With a national outreach spanning coast-to-coast, this practice is heavily supported by a specialised team of environmental experts, such as Birmingham-based Grady Moore III, who focuses his practice on energy and manufacturing litigation. Working alongside Moore is Stephen Gidiere, an expert at federal district court litigation regarding natural resources cases, and Steven Burns, who advises a wide range of businesses and associations throughout their legal proceedings.

Environmental boutique Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. is singled out for the ‘depth and breadth of its environmental bench,’ which can support a diverse roster of agriculture, chemical, retail, and technology sectors. The firm is adept at handling emerging issues such as PFAS liability, climate change, and plastic waste. Operating out of Washington DC, co-head John Cruden is well-versed in environmental and natural resources litigation, while from New York, co-head Daniel Krainin assists clients on alleged soil and groundwater contamination and natural resource damages. Operating from the DC office, Nessa Horewitch Coppinger has a solid track record of litigating multi-party federal and state statutory and common law claims, whereas James Slaughter is a key figure in mass tort, class action, and preemption litigation. Austin-based Maddie Boyer chiefly focuses on air permitting and litigation for the chemical manufacturing and petroleum refining sectors, and San Francisco’s Susan Smith concentrates on toxic tort defense. Katrina Krebs and Parker Moore, in New York and DC respectively, are also recommended.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has been highly active on air quality cases, including successful challenges to EPA regulations. Coupled with substantial experience in environmental enforcement actions, having defended clients in environmental cases before the US circuit courts of appeals and the US Supreme Court. Practice head Deidre Duncan, who operates out of Washington DC, is a key figure for water and natural resources matters, advising on Clean Water Act authorizations. Other key practitioners from the DC office include Kerry McGrath, who regularly supports clients on project development issues, Chuck Knauss, who is a name of note for climate change issues, and Andrew Turner, an expert in matters relating to the Endangered Species Act. Richmond-based Gregory Wall is knowledgeable on the approval of new chemicals and the regulation of existing chemicals under TSCA. Brian Levey and Todd Mikolop, acting out of DC, are noted for their work on federal permitting. Shannon Broome, across DC and San Francisco, and Clare Ellis, in San Francisco, are also recommended.

Regarded for being ‘prompt, exceptional, and intelligent’, King & Spalding stands out for its ability to support clients on enforcement actions. With the team comprising of individual with technical backgrounds, the firm is well-positioned to advise on high-profile environmental investigations and enforcement. Washington DC’s co-head Ilana Saltzbart is recommended for her work on environmental enforcement defense, with her experience in issues at the federal and state levels. Tracie Renfroe co-heads the practice from Houston, receiving work from energy and industrial clients on environmental contamination, toxic tort, and product liability mandates. DC’s Granta Nakayama has been engaged by clients to support them on air emission regulations at the federal and state levels, while Atlanta’s Douglas Henderson draws from his technical background to act on cases involving, inter alia, chemical exposure and groundwater contamination. Peter Hsiao, operating in Los Angeles, lends his chemical engineering background to natural resources and climate change.

Sidley Austin LLP‘s environmental, health, and safety practice excels at environmental enforcement defense and compliance, having expanded with the hires of Jason Mills and Alana Genderson from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in March 2025, bringing OSHA experience. Washington DC’s Justin Savage brings experience across environmental, transportation, and administrative matters, and Timothy Webster covers civil and criminal environmental enforcement defense, as well as challenges to government action, internal investigations, and regulatory advocacy. Chicago-based Byron Taylor takes point on crisis response, internal investigations, and regulatory advocacy. The three co-head the practice. Maureen Gorsen, who is based in Los Angeles, defends clients in federal and state enforcement matters, including hazardous waste, emissions controls, and air quality matters. Also acting out of DC, Peter Whitfield assists clients with environmental issues prior to, during, and after project development and operation.

Alston & Bird LLP provides strategic guidance to a roster of industry, spanning oil & gas, pharmaceutical, and construction, across the whole spectrum of federal environmental statutes in trial and appellate work. The practice is jointly headed up by Greg Christianson from San Francisco, chiefly focusing on Superfund cost recovery, natural resource damage claims, and toxic tort actions, while in Atlanta, Meaghan Boyd is the key contact for companies facing lawsuits resulting from discharges, spills, emissions, and other alleged acts. Out of Los Angeles, Jeffrey Dintzer has a demonstrable track record advising energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, and defense companies in administrative proceedings and civil litigation. From Atlanta, Clay Massey defends clients in toxic tort personal injury, while in LA, Greg Berlin takes point on environmental, product, and chemical disputes.

Regarded for its ‘depth of talent, pragmatic approach, and exceptional client service’, Bracewell LLP fields a robust environmental bench comprising individuals with prior government experience. The team has continued to strengthen with the hires of Seth M. Barsky from the DoJ and Shailesh Sahay from Baker Botts L.L.P. in September 2025. The practice is jointly spearheaded by Washington DC’s Jason Hutt, a key figure for matters relating to the EPA’s national enforcement initiatives, and Austin’s Kevin Collins , who leads on internal investigations. Also operating from DC, Ann Navaro is a seasoned advisor and litigator on federal natural resources law, while David Super has experience in litigation involving challenges to infrastructure projects.

DLA Piper LLP (US) adopts a cross-disciplinary approach, working with housing litigators, regulatory, and transactional lawyers, among others, to assist clients. The firm is noted for its expertise in emerging environmental risks, handling new contaminants such as PFAS, microplastics, and tire chemistry. In San Francisco, George Gigounas excels in sediment remediation cases, paired with expertise in cases concerning consumer product issues. Over in Washington DC, Gwendolyn Keyes advises clients on the litigation and regulatory risk of permit issues, worker safety, and emerging contaminants. The two co-head the practice. Adam Baas, based in San Francisco, brings further expertise in PFAS to the practice.

Greenberg Traurig is well-positioned to assist businesses in litigation arising from the potential emissions, discharges, releases, and other environmental effects of their operational activities. This experience extends across a variety of industrial and commercial clients, covering hazardous substances, workplace exposures, and contaminated sites. Over in New York, Steven C Russo has wide experience, which extends to environmental permitting, toxic tort litigation, and the National Environmental Policy Act. In Tampa, David Weinstein has a broad civil and white-collar litigation practice, combining knowledge in environmental, toxic tort, and land use matters. The two head up the practice alongside Miami's Kerri Barsh and Denver's Christopher Neumann. Also acting out of Denver, Paul Seby is experienced in prosecuting cases to enforce and overturn administrative agency regulations.

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP has built up a roster of private sector and public entities, turning to the firm for assistance on natural resource damage and contamination cases. The team has recently been active on cases relating to PFAS discharge and contamination. The practice is led from Houston by Bill Jackson and John Gilmour, who are jointly praised for being 'exceptional at clearly and promptly communicating'. Jackson is a key contact for litigation and administrative actions relating to emerging contaminants, while Gilmour is a name of note for public and private clients in matters relating to contaminated sites. Out of Houston, Lana Rowenko represents clients in litigation involving natural resource damages and recovery under federal environmental statutes, while Laura Duncan brings experience as a former trial lawyer at the DoJ's environment and natural resources division.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP‘s environmental practice is noted for its litigation expertise combined with a robust environmental regulatory and transactional offering. The group regularly represents clients in civil, criminal, and administrative enforcement proceedings, with a particular focus on groundwater contamination cases. Nader Boulos takes point on commercial cases, handling environmental tort and product liability matters. Katrine Jakola adds further expertise in product liability, paired with aptitude in mass tort, contract disputes, and consumer claims, and Martin Roth acts for clients in an array of industries on complex commercial disputes. In Dallas, Kasdin Mitchell is recommended. All lawyers mentioned are based in Chicago unless otherwise stated.

With a strong presence across the US, Norton Rose Fulbright is turned to by a diverse roster of energy, petrochemical, manufacturing, and transportation clients, among others, for litigation and regulatory support. Splitting his time between Los Angeles and Washington DC, Scott Burton has had long-standing experience in NGO litigation, government enforcement investigations, and contaminated site remediation, whereas Chicago's Brett Young covers tort matters. The two co-head the team. Another key practitioner in Chicago is Eddie Lewis, who lends his former experience as a chemical engineer to clients on major industrial incidents, while over in LA, Joseph Drapalksi handles product liability litigation.

Vinson & Elkins LLP  is noted for its work securing and defending permits for development projects, as well as supporting clients through state and federal environmental reviews and consultations. Practice head Matthew Dobbins regularly defends and pursues environmental indemnification claims for clients from the Houston office. Another name in the Houston office is Brandon Tuck, who handles permits and authorizations for projects. The Washington DC office is home to Benjamin Lippard, who chiefly focuses on matters relating to the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and Patrick Traylor, who represents clients in environmental enforcement cases. From both the DC and New York offices, Corinne Snow regularly challenges or defends federal regulations.

With a presence in major cities across the US, Dentons environmental department offers litigation, transactional, and regulatory services. On the litigation front, the firm assists with environmental liabilities, breaches of warranties, and indemnities, among others. Operating out of Los Angeles, department head Robert Schuda is well-versed in siting, permitting, environmental review, and environmental due diligence. Salt Lake City-based Bradley Cahoon has litigated on a varied stream of matters, covering CERCLA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and NEPA cases, while Portland's Chad Higgins has been engaged as defense for businesses on PFAS and groundwater contamination lawsuits.

K&L Gates has a broad environmental practice ranging from permitting to federal environmental litigation. The firm acts for mid-size and Fortune 500 clients across natural resource damages, environmental justice, and degraded urban rivers matters. Newark’s Brian Montag represents clients in the industries and manufacturing sectors in administrative, state, and federal proceedings. Montag heads up the practice alongside Harrisburg’s Craig Wilson. In Washington DC, Varu Chilakamarri chiefly focuses on appellate matters, coupled with expertise in administrative, environmental, and energy law.

Noted for its 'interdisciplinary model that pairs deep regulatory fluency with sophisticated litigation and transactional support', Lowenstein Sandler LLP has been active in CERCLA Superfund disputes, as well as being engaged in complex investigations involving multiple parties. Michael Lichtenstein oversees the practice, chiefly focusing on the defense of cost recovery and toxic tort claims. Kegan Brown 'has the perfect blend of administrative, technical, and litigation experience', representing clients throughout the full lifecycle of complex environmental and product liability litigation. Mark Heinzelmann is well-versed in New Jersey enforcement and regulatory agendas. All individuals are based in New Jersey.

Fielding a diverse client roster of energy, transportation, manufacturing, and consumer products, McGuireWoods LLP is noted for its work in emerging environmental issues. Richmond’s Eugene Mathews has a broad litigation practice, covering environmental, toxic tort, class action, and land use litigation. In Washington DC, Makram Jaber chiefly focuses on the Clean Air Act, assisting clients to obtain and defend permits and defend enforcement actions. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Adam Sowatzka assists Fortune 500 companies in EHS criminal, regulatory, and civil proceedings. DC’s Allison Wood adds expertise in climate change to the practice.

The San Francisco-based practice at Morrison Foerster regularly acts for clients in environmental and toxic tort litigation, notably active on Prop 65 chemicals litigation and on enforcement defense. The group is co-headed by William Tarantino, a key name for clients in relation to climate-related goals and claims, and Susan Mac Cormac, who assists clients on ESG. Cedar Hobbs has broad knowledge of environmental litigation and regulation covering site remediation, management of hazardous materials, and compliance with California and federal laws.

Nossaman is frequently engaged by public and private entities on a wide range of matters, across natural resource protection, conservation issues, and federal and state environmental protection regulatory agencies. California's Ben Rubin chairs the group, counselling clients on issues relating to the Federal and State Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act, among others. Another name of note in California is Paul Weiland, who is noted for his work on wildlife permitting and litigation, while Austin's Brooke Marcus is a key contact for natural resources litigation. Meanwhile, Seattle-based Svend Brandt-Erichsen has litigated claims under the NEPA statute.

Working with clients from a variety of industries, Sheppard represents clients before judicial tribunals in a breadth of environmental matters, including soil and groundwater contamination, hazardous waste, and air quality issues. The team is spearheaded from Los Angeles by business litigation expert Whitney Roy and Jeffrey Parker, who has a demonstrable track record in commercial, products liability, and environmental litigation. In San Francisco, Nicholas Van Aelstyn covers a breadth of environmental litigation, spanning cost recovery actions, regulatory actions, and representation of potentially responsible parties at Superfund sites.

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP combines regulatory and transactional expertise with a robust environmental litigation and toxic tort team, covering a breadth of environmental cases. The firm is also active on emerging contaminants issues, covering offensive and defensive litigation, investigative orders, and product phase-outs. The team is led from Richmond by natural resource specialist Andrea Wortzel. Atlanta's Mack McGuffey chiefly concentrates on the Clean Air Act, and Washington DC-based James Beers, with former experience as an environmental prosecutor at the DoJ, represents local municipalities and state agencies in environmental disputes. Atlanta's Byron Kirkpatrick focuses on the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act.

Jonathan Brightbill has left the firm.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP ### CHECK COUNTRY ###

With expertise in regulatory compliance, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP is noted for work on toxic tort litigation, as well as handling a breadth of environmental litigation, including federal and state enforcement actions, citizen suits, and private cost recovery claims. Splitting her time between Denver and Washington DC, department head Ana Maria Gutiérrez is noted for her aptitude in environmental and permitting matters. In Raleigh, Lisa Rushton has been engaged in toxic tort claims and project development, while Charlotte-based Brad De Vore has long-standing experience in environmental litigation.