America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008: Environment
Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.
In Chambers' 2008 review of national legal talent in the area of "Environment," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.
Chambers' comments:
District of Columbia Ranking: Tier 4
The Firm: Historically strong in transactions, Kirkland & Ellis advises private equity companies, strategic buyers and sellers on all aspects of environmental law. During the past year, the team has concentrated on transactions in the plastic packaging, chemical, petroleum, waste management and aircraft manufacturing industries. It handled multiple transactions for Maxum Petroleum and also completed the sale of Dade-Behring to Siemens. The practice comprises not only major deals, but also the environmental aspects of bankruptcy and general environmental counseling. This diversity of work has largely insulated the group from the turbulence in the credit markets. The team is also highly respected in litigation, where it has already gained prominence on cases concerning climate change. It is equally well regarded for its work on CERCLA, mass tort and appellate cases.
The Lawyers: Walter Lohmann heads the transactional environmental practice group and advises clients on the environmental aspects of corporate and real estate deals. During the past year, he advised on the environmental issues associated with Solutia's bankruptcy and has handled transactions involving chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and aircraft and automotive manufacturing. Stuart Drake leads the litigation arm of the practice, and specializes in mobile source air issues and the automotive industry. Toyota and GM frequently consult him, and he also advises numerous trade associations.
Environment: Litigation
Illinois: Other Notable Practitioners
At Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Andrew Running has a great reputation for defending clients in toxic tort, hazardous waste cleanup and site contamination disputes. He recently acted for a paper and chemical manufacturer in an insurance coverage for toxic tort claims arising from a nitrogen tetroxide railcar explosion.
Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008 — www.chambersandpartners.com.
