Rita B. Barker

Consumer Product Safety and Risk Management

Environmental and Sustainability

Governmental Representation

Insurance Coverage

Litigation

Real Estate Litigation

Rita Bolt Barker is an experienced practitioner in environmental compliance and related litigation.

Rita has broad environmental experience helping clients navigate the wide range of laws that protect our natural resources. She is a trusted, reliable partner for businesses, governmental entities, and individuals who need a steady guide through the ins and outs of environmental compliance and litigation.

Rita delivers results for clients who need assistance in investigating and responding to permitting challenges, as well as in responding to requests for information and enforcement actions before administrative agencies, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

She advises clients on assessing environmental risks and incentives associated with corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and real estate deals. In the real estate context, Rita has experience securing and enforcing conservation easements and redeveloping brownfield properties through South Carolina’s Voluntary Cleanup Contract program.

Rita has advised clients on matters arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the SC Pollution Control Act.

Rita is a Fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers, is recognized by Chambers USA, and serves as chair of the American Bar Association Section of the Environment, Energy, and Resources Environmental Transactions and Brownfields Committee.

Rita has taught Administrative Law at Clemson University and Environmental Law at Furman University.

American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (ABA SEER), Education Officer

American College of Environmental Lawyers, Fellow

International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

Greenville Bar Association, Wellness Chair

Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Issues Committee

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Tech Committee

Georgia Bar Association, Environmental Section

South Carolina Bar Association, Environmental Section

Representing a governmental entity in a complex dispute arising from expansion of a water infrastructure project

Representing a major metropolitan city in water allocation litigation

Advising real estate developers to enroll property in the SC brownfields program

Advising buyers of potential environmental liabilities associated with purchases of manufacturing assets

Assisting businesses to pursue green incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects

Representing property owners in litigation to recover diminution of property value caused by contamination

Representing clients across all business sectors in DHEC and EPA enforcement actions

Advising potentially responsible parties on CERCLA hazardous waste sites

Harvard Law School