Joe has extensive experience in environmental law, including litigation and regulatory counseling regarding environmental matters. He has represented Fortune 500 clients concerning compliance in Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (or Superfund) issues, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other federal regulations and laws. He has extensive experience in environmental indemnity litigation.
He recently served as counsel for a major petroleum company in litigation challenging the company’s Clean Air Act permits for a multibillion dollar refinery expansion project. In addition, Joe was part of a team that successfully defended a major petroleum company in a multi-million dollar litigation pertaining to the sale of a chemical plant. His practice experience also extends to:
- Other civil litigation, including product liability, toxic tort, personal injury, civil rights, franchising, and commercial litigation
- Representing clients in the automotive, petroleum, rubber, glass steel, utilities, and other industries
Education
J.D., cum laude, The University of Toledo, 1988
B.S., magna cum laude, Atlantic Christian College, 1985
Professional Associations
- Ohio AgriBusiness Association
- Michigan Agri-Business Association
- Toledo Bar Association
- Ohio Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America, 2009 – 2024
- Best Lawyers “Toledo Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year,” 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
Representative Matters
- Defended a major oil refining company in a putative air pollution class action, defeating a motion for class certification and obtaining partial summary judgment and dismissal of claims
- Managed the nationwide CERCLA/Superfund litigation and administrative matters for a major paper company