Department profile
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Environment: Litigation

USA Guide 2026 : Illinois

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Barnes & Thornburg LLP

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About

Provided by Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Attorneys assist clients with compliance counseling, obtaining and negotiating permits, business transactions and planning, facility cleanups, and administrative adjudication before federal and state agencies, among other activities. Environmental attorneys evaluate and manage environmental issues in real estate and business transactions that involve water, soil and air regulatory compliance, as well as enforcement and emerging legal issues associated with climate change, oil and gas pipelines, vapor intrusion and advanced remediation solutions.

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Environment: Litigation - Illinois

What the Team is Known For

Barnes & Thornburg LLP is a full-service environmental practice renowned for its enforcement and litigation expertise, as well as its excellent transactional counsel. The firm offers notable abilities advising pipeline operators on regulatory compliance, alongside wider strengths counseling on water and air quality matters, contaminated land issues and OSHA-related work. It acts for a varied list of clients ranging from energy and real estate companies to municipalities.

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Work Highlights

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  • Barnes & Thornburg serves as part of an Allocation Team responsible for allocating shares of responsibility among more than 100 PRPs for remediation and natural resource damages at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team offer commercial advice and excellent communication. When a highly complex issue arises, they skillfully identify the issue and work to resolve it.

    Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

  • They possess extensive environmental expertise that intersects with numerous other practice areas and they can elucidate complex concepts to clients in an accessible manner.

    Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

  • They have a deep understanding of the CWA, state-level enforcement frameworks and the practical realities of wastewater treatment. They excel in high-stakes situations and engaging with regulators.

    Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Bruce White
    Bruce White

    Bruce White

    Bruce White maintains a highly regarded litigation practice which sees him engaged by local authorities and industrial clients in contentious environmental matters.

    • He is an excellent environment litigator specializing in Superfund work.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA
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  • Erika K Powers
    Erika K Powers

    Erika K Powers

    Erika Powers is highly capable in environmental regulatory matters, offering particular expertise in CWA as well as negotiating consent decrees with the EPA.

    • Erika brings exceptional expertise in environmental and regulatory matters. She has a remarkable ability to break down dense regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance. She is consistently responsive and her strong relationships with regulators make a significant difference.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

    • Erika is a really terrific Clean Water Act lawyer.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA
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  • Fredric Andes
    Fredric Andes

    Fredric Andes

    Fredric Andes leads the firm's water team and is well regarded for his handling of CWA matters.

    • His guidance is consistently clear, strategic, and aligned with our needs. Fredric is highly responsive, thoughtful and able to translate complex regulatory issues into straightforward, actionable advice.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

    • He is an excellent water lawyer.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

    • He provides the highest level of service and understands the technical and regulatory aspects of our project. He is the ideal adviser.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA
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  • Joseph F Madonia
    Joseph F Madonia

    Joseph F Madonia

    Joseph Madonia is well regarded in the market for his litigation expertise. He has significant experience in acting for global chemical companies and is adept at handling large class actions involving soil and groundwater contamination issues.
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  • Michael Elam
    Michael Elam

    Michael Elam

    Michael Elam is an experienced environmental attorney with broad expertise. He has notable experience advising clients on energy-related matters.

    • He is a great leader with significant industry experience and expertise.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

    • Michael provides excellent client service, he is able to find solutions where others can't and is really good at advising with an eye towards what customers' business needs are.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA

    • Michael is absolutely fantastic in every facet of support.

      Environment: Litigation respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Barnes & Thornburg LLP (5)

Illinois

Members

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