Overview
Environmental-related claims can be challenging for clients because the laws and regulations governing environmental actions are complex and often overlap extensively at the federal, state, and local levels.
In addition to these legal complexities, environmental claims typically involve intricate scientific, historical, and technical issues. At Davis Rothwell, our attorneys have experience working with environmental laws and regulations, whether the claim is in litigation, pre-suit, and/or before a governmental agency. Coverage disputes can add yet another layer of complexity.
Experience
Our attorneys have extensive experience litigating contaminated property claims in Washington and Oregon state and federal courts. We have litigated some of the Pacific Northwest’s most significant environmental coverage lawsuits. We have also defended insured companies before the Environmental Protection Agency, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Washington Department of Ecology.
Our attorneys have worked on sites contaminated with TCE, TCA, PCE, petroleum heating oil, diesel, gasoline, creosote, PCBs, arsenic, and dioxins. They have represented clients in the Duwamish Waterway, Elliott Bay, and Portland Harbor Superfund site, as well as other single and multi-party sites. They have also handled numerous other long-tail exposure cases, such as mold, asbestos, or chemical exposure.
Successes
Our attorneys have reached successful settlements with state and federal agencies and other parties on behalf of clients with contaminated properties, including contribution claims against other Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs).
Credentials
Our attorneys’ memberships include:
- The Environmental and Emerging Claim Managers Association (EECMA)
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Committee
- Washington State Bar Environmental and Land Use Law Section
