Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy

The attorneys of Stites & Harbison's Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group integrate their knowledge of complex statutory programs with an understanding of the principles of administrative law, constitutional law, and the common law to provide legal advice on issues that touch air, land, or water.

Several of our group’s attorneys have experience as regulatory attorneys and managers. Many of our attorneys also have technical backgrounds in scientific and engineering fields that provide valuable insight to environmental problems.

We strive to build practical solutions in all environmental representations. Our attorneys work closely with our clients' management and technical staffs to develop strategies that are both legally sound and consistent with our clients' goals and strategic business plans.

When disputes arise, our lawyers seek to negotiate settlements that achieve these goals and minimize exposure while avoiding litigation. Meanwhile, we are also prepared to litigate in any forum, from specialized administrative bodies to state and federal trial and appellate courts.

We routinely advise clients in natural resource sales, acquisitions, and corporate and commercial transactions, including the complicated aspects of mineral and related property rights.

We have negotiated key environmental covenants, coordinated due diligence in corporate transactions, and provided counsel in the development and operation of gas- or coal-fired power plants.

In representing private clients and trade associations, we also have significant experience in developing or challenging state and federal rulemaking under numerous environmental and natural resources related statutes.

Our group supports finding beneficial uses for major industrial waste streams, and in developing ways for our clients to minimize disposal costs while protecting the environment.

We are familiar with and represent clients in matters where sustainability and/or green construction are central concerns. Clients with assets or operations having an environmental component rely on Stites & Harbison attorneys to listen and then identify and resolve issues to assure compliance, mitigate risk, and limit exposure to environmental liability.

With significant representations in the manufacturing, agriculture, surety, construction, power generation, waste, and the extractive industries – including minerals, coal, oil, gas, timber, and water – our attorneys are accustomed to working with business and regulatory communities.

We have particular experience in the following areas:

• Agriculture
• Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
• Clean Water Act
• Common law nuisance, trespass, and toxic torts
• Conservation easements
• Endangered Species Acts
• Energy & electrical power law
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
• Hazardous Waste and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Mining and natural resources
• Regulatory compliance
• Resource development, production & regulation
• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
• Solid waste
• Solid waste and municipal solid waste
• Sustainability
• Surety
• Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)

Stites & Harbison is a proud partner in the Law Office Climate Challenge Program, a joint effort of the American Bar Association and the EPA targeted at developing and implementing sustainable business practices in a law-office setting.