Toxic Torts, Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Law & Contracts

Defense Cost Analysis in Complex Environmental Fee Claims

by David J. McMahon | Barger & Wolen on 5/21/2013

Introduction - Many of our litigation management audits involve complex environmental cleanup cases. In these cases, it is important to first evaluate the underlying matter, including the fact patterns of the various...more

Ashley II Holdings Require Caution

by Larry Burke | Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 5/13/2013

On April 4, 2013, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a much anticipated decision in PCS Nitrogen, Inc. v. Ashley II of Charleston LLC, No. 11-1662 (4th Cir. April 4, 2013) (Ashley II). ...more

Mistakes Have Consequences – British Petroleum’s Settlement

by Cleve Clinton | Looper Reed & McGraw, P.C. on 4/30/2013

Three years ago, Tilting told tales of oil spill legal problems suffered by Forrest Gump, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Wok Ann chu-gumm Seafood Restaurants, Chef Red Fishy and Bishop Carp. Tilting predicted class action...more

Fourth Circuit Restricts “Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser” Defense

by William Cleveland, IV, Perrin Dargan, III, David Franchina | K&L Gates LLP on 4/19/2013

On April 4, 2013, the Fourth Circuit issued a ruling in PCS Nitrogen Inc. v. Ashley II of Charleston that, among other things, may limit the availability of the “bona fide prospective purchaser” (“BFPP”) defense that Congress...more

Fourth Circuit Brownfields Decision Stops Short Of Worst-Case Outcome

by Todd Fracassi, Jane Luxton | Pepper Hamilton LLP on 4/17/2013

In a closely watched Superfund case decided April 4, 2013, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals interpreted the scope of landowner liability protections Congress put in place in 2002 to "promote the cleanup and reuse of...more

PCS Nitrogen Inc. v. Ashley II of Charleston: Required Reading for Superfund Lawyers

by Robert S. Sanoff | Foley Hoag LLP - Environmental Law on 4/9/2013

The Fourth Circuit handed down a primer on CERCLA liability last week in PCS Nitrogen Inc. v. Ashley II of Charleston. It should be required reading for Superfund lawyers. The facts in the case are worthy of a law school law...more

EPA Clarifies "Innocent Tenant" Liability Under CERCLA

by Emily Lamond, Robert Lawrence | Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on 4/8/2013

Recent EPA guidance imposes new environmental due diligence and compliance requirements on prospective commercial and industrial tenants. The guidance purports to clarify an exemption from liability, but actually confirms...more

Dodging Deal Killers -- Anticipating and Solving Problems Related to Properties Being Sold or Purchased

by Walter McMonies, John Pinkstaff | Lane Powell PC - Real Estate Law on 4/5/2013

In This Presentation: Contamination; Environmental Issues; Defective or Incomplete Land Use Approval; “As Is,” “Your Problem Not Mine” Seller; Encroachment; URM or Otherwise Seismically Challenged Property; Use,...more

EPA Lifts Threat of CERCLA Liability for Some Tenants of Brownfields

by Thomas Hogan, Christopher Marraro | BakerHostetler on 2/18/2013

Tenants who lease currently or formerly contaminated property can now benefit from protections from cleanup liability that were once available only to purchasers of such property. EPA announced its new policy in a December...more

Should Tenants Worry About Environmental Liabilities For Their Leased Property?

by Mark E. Beliveau, Kenneth Gray | Pierce Atwood LLP on 1/23/2013

By 2013, most property owners have heard of the advantages of performing environmental due diligence and conducting “All Appropriate Inquiry” by obtaining an Environmental Site Assessment before purchase. Doing so is key to...more

Brownfield Tenants Gain CERCLA Liability Protection

by Bruce Flushman | Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP on 1/15/2013

Good News: Brownfield Tenants Gain CERCLA Liability Protection - In December 2012, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidance Memo set out a new EPA enforcement policy. In sum, on a discretionary basis, the EPA...more

EPA Guidance Further Clarifies The Protections Available To Tenants Under Superfund’s BFPP Defense

by Ronald Farley | Burr & Forman on 1/11/2013

As part of an evolving effort to encourage the redevelopment of brownfield properties, the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”) was amended in 2002 to provide...more

New Liability Protection For Tenants On Brownfield Properties

by Jane Luxton | Pepper Hamilton LLP on 1/9/2013

In a December 2012 Guidance Memo, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new enforcement principles intended to enhance protections for tenants on contaminated or previously contaminated “brownfield” properties....more

EPA Revises Guidance On Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Protection For Tenants Under Federal Superfund Law

by Lucas Narducci | Polsinelli on 1/5/2013

On December 5, 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its enforcement guidance regarding when tenants may be treated as bona fide prospective purchasers (BFPPs). The revised guidance addresses...more

New EPA Guidance Gives Long-Term Tenants Direct Access to the Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Defense and Greater Protection from...

by Jeffrey Kirschenbaum | Buchalter Nemer on 1/4/2013

Newly issued guidance by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) suggests that prudent long-term tenants of commercial and industrial properties should conduct environmental due diligence before entering into a...more