Environmental & Natural-Resources Law — Practical compliance, defensible strategy

From permitting and due diligence to agency negotiations and enforcement defense, we help organizations meet environmental obligations without stalling projects. Our team maps applicable federal, state, and local requirements, builds workable compliance programs, and coordinates with real estate, corporate, and litigation counsel when matters span multiple disciplines. Whether you’re acquiring a site, expanding operations, responding to a spill, or resolving a notice of violation, you get clear next steps, timelines, and documentation that stands up to scrutiny.

  • Permitting and approvals for air, water, waste, and land-use (jurisdiction-specific)
  • Environmental due diligence (Phase I/II coordination) and risk allocation in transactions
  • Compliance audits and corrective action plans designed for daily operations
  • Spill response, self-disclosures (where available), and agency negotiations
  • Enforcement defense, consent orders, and cost-effective remediation strategies
  • Cross-practice coordination with real estate, corporate, and insurance coverage issues
Environmental Compliance Review Call 720-499-0000

Based in Castle Rock and serving the Denver metro, with expanding coverage through our state rollout.

Environmental attorney reviewing permits and regulatory timelines with operations team at an industrial site
Field inspection with environmental checklist, sampling plan, and stakeholder engagement notes

Our process: audits, corrective action, stakeholder engagement, and agency interactions

We start with a concise risk snapshot: what laws apply, where gaps exist, and how to prioritize fixes without disrupting operations. Then we build an action plan with owners, deadlines, and documentation standards that fit your workflows. For projects, we align environmental reviews with real estate and financing milestones so approvals and disclosures keep pace with the deal. If regulators are involved, we prepare the record, manage communications, and work toward practical resolutions.

Compliance lifecycle

  1. Audit: map permits, plans, training, and reporting duties
  2. Corrective action: prioritize fixes by legal risk and business impact
  3. Documentation: SOPs, logs, and evidence for inspections
  4. Monitoring: schedules, assignments, and change management
  5. Review: periodic checks and update cadence as rules evolve

Projects, deals, and investigations

  • Due diligence: coordinate Phase I/II ESAs and allocate risk in contracts
  • Permitting: schedule submittals to align with design and construction
  • Notices and reporting: manage deadlines and preserve privilege appropriately
  • Agency interactions: prepare the record and negotiate practical remedies
  • Remediation strategy: right-size cleanup and long-term stewardship
See how our process works

For neutral primers on environmental statutes and permitting concepts, browse law.cornell.edu and official guidance from the U.S. EPA . Always obtain advice for your specific facts and jurisdiction.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common permitting, compliance, and enforcement questions.

Do I need an environmental assessment (or impact statement) for my project?
It depends on triggers like federal funding, federal permits, or certain state and local rules. Some projects qualify for categorical exclusions; others require an Environmental Assessment (EA) or a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). We scope your project early, coordinate with consultants, and build a schedule that aligns environmental review with design, financing, and public input requirements.
What penalties could we face for non-compliance?
Penalties vary by statute and facts—ranging from warning letters and administrative fines to injunctive relief, stipulated penalties under consent orders, and, in rare cases, criminal exposure for willful violations. Mitigation typically improves when you act promptly, document corrective steps, and maintain transparent communication with the agency through counsel. We assess exposure and pursue resolution strategies that minimize disruption and cost.
Can remediation reduce or eliminate liability?
Often, yes. Voluntary cleanup programs, bona fide prospective purchaser protections, and negotiated remedial plans can reduce penalties and long-term obligations. Results depend on timing, cooperation, and technical findings. We coordinate with environmental consultants to develop defensible remedial alternatives and long-term stewardship measures that align with your operational goals.
How do Phase I and Phase II ESAs fit into a real estate deal?
A Phase I ESA screens for recognized environmental conditions using records review and site inspection. If risks are flagged, a Phase II may include sampling. We time diligence with contingencies, insurance options, and indemnities, and we tailor contract language to allocate cleanup costs and access rights. For transactions with legacy impacts, we align environmental provisions with lenders and title/endorsement requirements.
Should we self-disclose a violation?
Some jurisdictions offer penalty mitigation for timely, qualified self-disclosures. The decision is fact-specific and must be managed carefully to preserve privileges and meet eligibility criteria. We rapidly evaluate the issue, recommend corrective steps, and, if appropriate, structure a disclosure that supports mitigation while protecting your legal position.
What permits do we need for routine operations and expansions?
Common touchpoints include air permits (stationary sources), wastewater/NPDES and stormwater authorizations, hazardous waste generator requirements, and storage tank rules. Expansions may trigger construction permits or modified limits. We inventory applicable permits, clarify monitoring/reporting, and align applications with engineering and construction schedules to keep projects moving.

Get ahead of permits, inspections, and deadlines

On your first call, we map obligations, set priorities, and outline a realistic schedule. You’ll know what to file, when, and how we’ll document compliance.

Schedule an Environmental Law Consult Call 720-499-0000
Explore environmental guides See our client process

Page last updated: September 12, 2025