Representation During Environmental Enforcement Actions

How to Stay in the Government's Good Graces

Has your company received a civil notice of an environmental violation? Have you, as an individual, received a notice about potential personal liability for an environmental law violation?

Violations of environmental laws can lead to serious civil penalties or criminal consequences, especially if any accusations are not responded to promptly and thoroughly. Early responsive and appropriate contact with government regulators can go a long way towards remaining in the good graces of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Legal Assistance in Investigations and Enforcements of Environmental Violations

From our Fairfax County law offices, Hale Carlson Baumgartner, PLC, represents businesses and individuals throughout Northern Virginia in a wide range of environmental law matters. Attorney R. Craig Anderson leads our environmental law practice, also referred to as our Green and Sustainable Business Practice Group. He is a lawyer with two decades of experience in the field of environmental law. Over the course of his career, Mr. Anderson has saved his employers and clients countless dollars in penalties and lost work time.

Our capable attorneys are available to represent business owners or other individuals in legal proceedings before the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Firstly, we make a timely reply to the notice of violation on your behalf. Then, we gather evidence and present well-organized information about whether the violation did in fact occur. In cases where a penalty is unavoidable, we negotiate with the state or federal agency to agree on remediation or another acceptable compromise that does the minimum damage possible to the daily workings and future success of the business.

Personal Liability: The enforcement of environmental laws can be both civil and criminal, and both institutional (against the company) and individual (against individual officers or employees). The line between these different categories can be difficult to establish at the beginning of an investigation. As soon as it becomes apparent that the interest of a company and the interests of individuals who work for the company are not aligned, it is imperative that each party retain separate and independent legal counsel. Hale Carlson Baumgartner stands ready to represent any party, company or individual, to assure that rights and protections against self-incrimination are respected.

Contact Hale Carlson Baumgartner

We invite you to contact our office with questions about environmental law matters. To schedule a free 30 minute consultation, call 703-962-1164 or use our online contact form.