"The entire team provides outstanding legal services."
Client quote, Chambers USA
Overview
Calfee’s Environmental litigators aim to achieve our clients’ objectives in litigation and administrative proceedings. Our experience covers the full spectrum of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and contract, insurance, and indemnity disputes. As with any dispute, litigation can be burdensome to the daily operations and bottom line of any organization and can affect all stakeholders. Calfee’s litigators have helped clients manage the burden and obtain successful outcomes.
Our Environmental litigators have extensive experience with complex litigation and dispute resolution proceedings under Superfund and in private cost recovery, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.
We also are well-versed in all related state and common law claims such as nuisance and trespass, citizen suits, and toxic torts. Our clients are engaged in a variety of businesses including metals manufacturing and finishing, waste disposal and wastewater treatment, real estate lending and development, chemical and plastics manufacturing, industrial gases, paints and coatings, and minerals and mining.
Noteworthy
Chambers USA Leading Law Firm Rankings
Calfee has been recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Law Firm in Environment in Band 3 in Ohio (2023).
Clients interviewed by Chambers USA researchers stated, "Calfee has proven itself to be the A team every time – they exude professionalism at every level and are two steps ahead of the other side. The team is competent, personable, and works well together, complementing each other's strengths."
Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2024 "Best Law Firms" rankings in Environmental Law (Regional Tier 3 Columbus) and numerous Litigation practice areas.
Benchmark Litigation Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation 2024 as a Highly Recommended Law Firm in Dispute Resolution in Ohio. Additionally, 14 of Calfee's Litigation partners have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Litigation Stars" in the U.S. (National), Midwest, and Ohio and as “40 & Under" and "Future Stars" Honorees.
Professionals
Professionals
Experience
Experience
- Serving as the lead Environmental Defense Counsel for the subsidiary of a publicly traded Fortune 500 manufacturing client in a matter involving a demand by the Massachusetts regulatory authority and potentially responsible parties in a CERCLA matter for alleged PFAS contamination of soil at a composting site where the client delivered waste.
- Serving as lead Environmental Litigation counsel to a waste and recycling company in environmental administrative proceedings in a challenge to continued operations of the landfill through the verified complaint process. The remedy sought in the administrative appeal was a shutdown of the client’s landfill, so defense against appeal is critical to the client’s ongoing operations.
- Serving as lead Environmental Litigation Counsel to a waste and recycling company in a challenge to a permit issued to the client for an increase to the daily waste allowance to receive at the client’s landfill.
- Serving as the lead Environmental Litigation counsel for a global manufacturing company. This client was sued in federal court over an alleged discharge of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances from its facility. This is a federal class action suit against multiple entities for alleged PFAS contamination of drinking water, with the remedy sought being a proportionate share of replacing a local land application system from process water discharge.
- Represented a publicly traded metals manufacturer on contractual recovery of $20 million from its seller to pay for plant site remediation of TCE contamination.
- Represented a closely held coatings company and its principal in a state-led felony prosecution relating to alleged hazardous waste disposal.
- Represented a publicly traded industrial gas manufacturer in litigation and administrative proceedings relating to a multi-party Superfund site where on-site incineration was a component of the remedy.
- Represented a Fortune 500 chemical and plastics manufacturer in litigation and administrative proceedings relating to a multi-party Superfund site involving claims of surface water, stream sediment, and wetlands contamination.
- Represented a subsidiary of a Fortune 200 chemical manufacturer in administrative and contempt proceedings brought by the State of Ohio relating to RCRA closure and groundwater remediation.
- Represent a wholly-owned subsidiary of a global chemical company in its participation in the precedent-setting Great Lakes Legacy Act $82 million cleanup (alternative to Superfund) of the Ashtabula River.
- Represent a publicly traded ferrous metals foundry in defense of claims brought by two paper companies relating to the contribution for the $1.5 billion cleanup of PCB contamination in the Lower Fox River System in Wisconsin.
- Represented a State of Ohio department in its claims against a fuel tank farm owner and operator relating to one of the largest gasoline spills in Ohio history and its contamination of the neighboring Maumee River Crossing (interstate highway) construction project.
- Represented a former paper manufacturer in defense of a CERCLA private cost recovery, RCRA citizen suit, and state statutory contract common law claims relating to the alleged multi-million-dollar PCB cleanup of former paper mill facilities.
- Represent a Fortune 1000 paint, coatings, and related products holding company with respect to the nationwide management of its operating subsidiaries’ off-site and legacy environmental liabilities.
- Represented a large Ohio municipality in defense of Clean Water Act SSO/CSO claims brought by Ohio and the United States resulting in a Consent Decree resolving thousands of days of violations with a $60,000 civil penalty and an extended construction schedule patterned after the city’s long-term control plan.
Representative Clients
Representative Clients
We are proud to have represented public and private companies such as the following:
- Buckingham Coal Company
- Chase Brass & Copper Company
- Neenah Foundry Company
- Praxair, Inc.
- RPM International Inc.
- Union Carbide Corporation
We also serve the State of Ohio, Ohio municipalities, and other government entities.
Client Feedback
Client Feedback
- "Calfee has proven itself to be the A team every time – they exude professionalism at every level and are two steps ahead of the other side." – Chambers USA 2023 client quote
- "I work as national counsel for a large firm. Calfee assisted us as local counsel. The lawyer we worked with, Christopher Jones, had prior experience as a high-level agency employee and had great insights into the views of the agency, the state government, the attorney general, and other significant parties and stakeholders in a variety of areas. He was able to assist us in meeting with the right individuals and negotiating an end to a consent decree, general advice on air permitting and compliance, and guidance on local law issues. Everything one would want in local counsel." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
"Calfee navigates complex governmental and regulatory issues by developing a strategic, issue-focused approach through an increasingly difficult environment." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
"The attorneys at Calfee, Halter & Griswold have performed very diligent research into the history of our matter and have provided a strong defense in the case." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
News & Events
News
