Chris S. Leason

For more than 25 years, Chris has focused his practice on high-profile civil and criminal environmental investigations and enforcement actions. A nationally recognized Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) practitioner, Chris advises clients on issues involving the identification and management of solid and hazardous wastes, financial assurance, corrective action, permitting, boiler and industrial furnace compliance, underground storage tank testing and removal, and land disposal restriction requirements.

Chris also represents clients involved in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement actions under RCRA, the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as well as in analogous state actions. He is particularly skilled in representing the interests of mining and mineral processing companies, utilities and manufacturing entities faced with complex regulatory compliance challenges.

Of particular note, Chris has developed a deep bench of experience in hazardous materials transportation, occupational safety and health, and chemical facility anti-terrorism standards and issues. He routinely works with appropriate federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In evaluating and developing environmental preventative litigation and risk management strategies, Chris remains dedicated to understanding his clients’ objectives in order to partner with them in advancing creative and cost-effective solutions. Throughout his career, he has performed more than 50 environmental and due diligence audits for clients and ably develops audit programs as needed.

With a high regard for creating and maintaining long lasting relationships, Chris has represented the national trade association for the fertilizer industry for nearly three decades. As such, he is well-versed in the fertilizer industry, the fertilizer manufacturing process, and environmental regulations applicable to this specific industry. Chris has prepared numerous comments on EPA, OSHA, DOT, and DHS proposed rules applicable to the industry, testified before these agencies on their proposed rules, challenged these rules in federal court, and negotiated favorable settlements for this client and its members.

Chris’s unique combination of practice acuity and practical know-how, supported by his engineering and legal prowess, make him especially well-suited to handle even the most challenging environmental matters while interacting with both in-house attorneys and technical resource professionals.