Environmental Litigation

Stevens & Lee has successfully litigated and resolved environmental issues relating to contaminated soil and groundwater, underground storage tanks, indoor air, solid waste disposal and management, mining and subsurface rights and toxic and hazardous waste. We understand the importance of insurance coverage in these disputes and represent policyholders in major insurance coverage litigation.

We also represent clients in criminal investigations and prosecutions for environmental crimes, and provide assistance beginning with receipt of the grand jury subpoena or service of the search warrant through the defense of the prosecution.

Led by David J. Parsells, our environmental litigators have a proven track record in Superfund lawsuits and cost recovery, enforcement, investigations, and other environmental litigation. We represent clients in dealings with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and also represent clients in Pennsylvania courts, as well as in federal district and appellate courts. We also are experienced in negotiating favorable resolutions for clients identified by the EPA on Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) lists.

We assist our clients with issues arising under multiple federal and state statutes, including CERCLA (environmental cleanup liability), RCRA (hazardous waste handling and disposal issues) and FIFRA (products regulated as pesticides).

Our environmental team also includes Donald R. Wagner, a lawyer and a Pennsylvania-licensed professional geologist with more than 30 years of experience providing professional environmental services to clients. Our team also partners with our bankruptcy lawyers to litigate high stakes insurance-related issues in environmental bankruptcy cases.