Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Environment

USA Guide 2026 : Illinois


Baker McKenzie

Rankings

About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

The Baker McKenzie Environmental Group is consistently recognized as the largest and most established global environment practice of any firm in the world. Our team provides global representation to US multinational enterprises in all manner of environmental issues and challenges affecting their operations around the world.

Our U.S. Environment Practice continues to provide wide ranging EHS legal support to our clients, including day-to-day regulatory counsel, enforcement defense and advice on site cleanup and related litigation matters. As part of the Firm's global network of offices, our team can also confidently provide cross-practice and cross-border support to advise key clients regardless of industry on environmental law concerns during major transactions. A fair amount of our work is focused on assisting our clients in the advancement of their sustainability programs and initiatives and addressing ESG challenges and opportunities associated with their businesses. Our Group partners now include ESG litigation specialists and climate change transactional experts.

We continue to be a leader in our local market serving as lead outside environmental counsel to many of the largest Illinois and Midwest based companies. Our Environmental Group has unique expertise in a number of key industry sectors, including oil and gas, industrial equipment/automotive, pharma, renewable energy/biofuels, food and agriculture, and mining.  

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Environment - Illinois

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Baker McKenzie demonstrates impressive capabilities acting for large multinational corporations in various aspects of environmental law, with expertise in litigation work, transactional issues and regulatory matters. The team offers notable strengths acting for clients in the energy, mining and industrial manufacturing sectors. It leverages its global network to advise on multi-jurisdictional environmental law issues arising from international corporate transactions. The firm has a strong track record assisting with the development and implementation of global compliance programs.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Baker McKenzie advised the World Business Council for Sustainable Development on a variety of environmental and sustainability projects with Fortune 500 companies.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are responsive, business-focused and able to bring in experts. They are able to provide direction and help think through potential risks.

    Environment respondentUSA
  • They are highly knowledgeable, thoughtful and quick to respond. They have deep sector experience.

    Environment respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1John W Watson
    Band 1John W Watson

    John W Watson

    John Watson routinely provides advice to clients on the implementation of environmental compliance programs as well as enforcement matters involving air and water concerns.
  • Band 2David P Hackett
    Band 2David P Hackett

    David P Hackett

    David Hackett offers significant experience advising clients on environmental regulatory compliance as well as sustainability.
    • David is a trusted partner; he is extremely responsive and knowledgeable.

      Environment respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Baker McKenzie (2)

Illinois

Members

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie has rankings in the following guides

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