Christopher J Neumann

Practice Areas

Environmental

Litigation

American Indian Law

Government Law & Policy

Infrastructure

Federal Regulatory & Administrative Law

Energy & Natural Resources

Real Estate

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

OSHA

Mining

Career

Chris Neumann is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice. He counsels clients in the natural gas, petroleum, mining, construction, retail, home building, solid and hazardous waste, and other industries on a wide variety of litigation, environmental, mining, and real estate matters. Chris represents clients in connection with internal investigations and emergency response following spills, pipe failures and other environmental incidents. He also defends clients in connection with civil, criminal and administrative enforcement by USEPA, states, tribes, local governments and citizen groups. Chris has advised clients on litigation and enforcement matters, as well as related auditing and compliance matters, under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA), Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA), and numerous other federal, state and tribal laws.

Chris is a trial lawyer and represents clients in complex trials, arbitration proceedings and mediations. He also represents clients in connection with evidentiary hearings and rulemaking proceedings before federal, state and tribal agencies including matters pending before the USEPA, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Additionally, Chris assists clients in efforts to obtain land use approvals, in efforts to resolve environmental concerns in complex business transactions, and in real estate acquisitions.

Concentrations:

Internal investigations of and response to environmental incidents

Defense of civil, criminal and administrative environmental enforcement matters

Environmental Management System and audit program development and implementation matters

Superfund and other complex environmental litigation

Commercial litigation involving oil and gas, mining, construction and engineering matters

Real estate acquisition and environmental aspects of business transactions

Environmental compliance, permitting and rulemaking matters

Mine permitting and reclamation matters

Environmental policy and governmental affairs matters

Global Energy & Infrastructure

Strategies for drafting and mitigating litigation risk in Environmental, Social, Governance Disclosures

Land development

Professional Memberships

American Marshall Memorial Fellowship, German Marshall Fund of the United States (2007)

Member, Denver Metro Chamber Foundation, Leadership Denver Program (2006)

Adjunct Professor, Hazardous Waste Law and Environmental Enforcement, University of Colorado School of Law (2005-2011)

Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)

Gubernatorial Appointee, Chairman, Colorado Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission (2005-2016)

Gubernatorial Appointee, Vice Chairman, Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (2004-2007)

Member, Alumni Board of Directors, Lewis & Clark Law School (2007-2013)

Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Member, International Erosion Control Association (IECA)

Member, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)

Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation

Member, American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Sections

Member, Colorado Bar Association

Private Pilot, Single Engine Land, Instrument Rating

Member, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Publications

Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2007-2022

Personal

J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School, 1998.

-Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law

-Associate Editor, Law Review

-Environmental Moot Court

B.S., Engineering and Environmental Science (Civil Engineering), University of Notre Dame, 1995.