Jeff Hunter

Practice Areas

Environment, Energy & Resources

Insurance Recovery Law

Litigation

Real Estate & Land Use

White Collar & Investigations

Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility

Climate Law

Energy Infrastructure & Clean Technology

Mining

Land Development

Oil & Gas

Forest Products

Real Estate

Career

Jeff Hunter’s work comprises such environmental issues as regulatory compliance; administrative enforcement and environmental litigation, including white collar criminal matters; permitting, development, and defending against permit challenges; cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated industrial and commercial properties; brownfield redevelopment projects; and environmental due diligence in real estate and corporate transactions.

Jeff’s environmental counseling and administrative enforcement experience implicates the Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act. He is also knowledgeable regarding the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and the Mine Safety and Health Act.

In state matters, Jeff advises on state laws operating in lieu of the federal environmental programs; state electronic-waste recycling laws; state product labeling and reporting laws, including California Proposition 65; and children’s safe products. He has experience in international laws regarding the restriction of hazardous substances; waste electrical and electronic equipment; and the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals. Jeff has led internal investigations and audits related to environmental compliance, disclosure of the findings, development of environmental compliance management systems, and obtaining ISO 14001 certification.

Jeff has litigated cost recovery, property damage, and contribution actions; participated and led potentially responsible party group allocations and negotiated Consent Decrees with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice; assisted clients with responding to Section 104(e) requests for information and access; and negotiated and defended CERCLA Section 106 orders. For clients faced with potential criminal or civil enforcement, Jeff has successfully negotiated reduced charges and penalties, supplemental environmental projects in lieu of penalties, and suspension and debarment agreements.

For clients involved in real estate and corporate acquisitions, Jeff performs due diligence, advises on corporate financial disclosure obligations related to the environment, and helps ensure compliance with the European Union and other countries' environmental laws and directives. He has directed and led environmental due diligence, including completing Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments and environmental health and safety audits. To facilitate transactions, Jeff has successfully negotiated prospective purchase agreements with federal/state agencies, obtained no further action letters, and advised clients on environmental insurance. Jeff has negotiated environmental provisions in leases, purchase and sale agreements, stock purchase agreements, merger and acquisition agreements, and other transaction documents, including complex remediation, hold-back, and indemnity agreements.