What Do Environmental Lawyers Do?
Keeping California’s environment clean and safe is a feat that we should all strive to accomplish. To help people, and especially businesses, achieve that, laws have been put into place to protect air and water resources and some land as well. If you are running a business, you need to be aware of the state and federal environmental laws that will affect you. An environmental lawyer can help with that.
If you are a new business, reaching out to an environmental lawyer is a very responsible and smart thing to do. If the regulations of your state and the U.S. don’t affect your business, great! If they do, you need to know how to proceed so you can avoid any legal problems in the future.
If you didn’t consult with a lawyer and now find yourself in hot water, a lawyer who handles environmental lawsuits may still help you. They can represent you in court or in any other proceedings you may encounter. They can also help you to prevent any future problems in your business operations.
What Does an Environmental Lawyer Do?
Really, environmental lawyers do a lot. There are several different directions we can choose to go. For example, I help businesses understand the environmental laws concerning them and represent them in court if need be. If you are a business or corporation trying to navigate the confusing world of environmental regulations, then I am the lawyer for you.
Other environmental lawyers may focus on climate change, native and public land titles, water law, clean technology, and more. Some of these lawyers may focus on taking businesses to court while others, like myself, may defend businesses that have been accused of violating environmental laws. This is why it’s so important to do your research before seeking out an environmental lawyer for your business.
How Can an Environmental Lawyer Help Me?
As I mentioned before, an environmental lawyer can help to prevent you from making any mistakes regarding your business and the environment. They can also defend you in the event that you are sued for violating an environmental regulation, such as one of these:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
And those are just the federal ones! Out of the list above, the most important one to the average business owner would probably be the CERCLA. The CERCLA is a list compiled by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) that compiles common substances found at facilities on the National Priorities List. These substances are listed for their potential threat to human health and the environment.
If your business has been accused of violating any of these regulations (or any others not listed here), or if you want guidance on how to avoid such violations in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me. I am an experienced attorney in business and environmental law who wants to help you. Located in Orange County, I am able to help business owners throughout most of Southern California.
Orange County Environmental Law Counsel
Even with regulations in place, California’s environment is feeling the effects of climate change. The large population in a few select cities seems to be causing the major issues with the overall air and water quality. According to a political survey by the PPIC (Public Policy Institute of California), 56% of voters are worried about the air and water quality in this state. The best way to give back to your state, keep your customers happy, and avoid environmental lawsuits is to abide by the environmental regulations set by the government.
Contact a California environmental lawyer today. From preventative counsel through dispute resolution services, I serve businesses throughout Southern California.