Reed Smith represents global leaders across many industry sectors in toxic tort matters. We defend clients in complex class and mass action litigation, and help mitigate toxic tort risk through regulatory compliance.
Reed Smith’s Environmental Toxic Torts practice encompasses those knowledgeable in areas that include:
- Toxic tort litigation
- Clean Water Act enforcement
- Safe Drinking Water Act standards
- Natural resources damages
With strong practices in environmental law, complex and mass action litigation, and insurance coverage, our attorneys provide comprehensive solutions that allow clients to achieve their business goals.
Toxic Tort Litigation
Reed Smith has represented water utilities, metal producers, chemical companies, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and others in mass tort litigation involving alleged contamination by toxic substances.
We have defended clients in consolidated mass tort cases containing hundreds of potentially responsible parties named by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our attorneys are experienced in matters involving allegations of contaminated groundwater, contaminated drinking water supplies, and air releases.
Our attorneys have addressed issues involving toxic mold, allegations of chemical vapors arising from industrial wastewater discharge, claims involving toxic waste that allegedly leaked from a railroad tanker, and other matters.
Reed Smith’s toxic torts litigation team includes attorneys with extensive trial experience, and they have built a reputation for obtaining effective results in the courtroom. At the same time, they understand the high stakes involved in going to trial—reputational risk, litigation expenses and potential for large damage awards.
We have employed innovative procedures and case management programs to cost-effectively resolve large numbers of cases, including bellwether trials, structured discovery, mini-trials and multidistrict litigation. Our attorneys are recognized for their abilities to effectively resolve matters through denial of class action certification, dismissal and other early advantageous results.
Clean Water Act Enforcement
Reed Smith represents clients in a wide variety of matters under the CWA.
Our attorneys defended a city in California in several matters involving its Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) permit. We helped settle a suit brought by a public advocacy group, and guided the city through review and negotiation with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board of the city’s new POTW permit.
We have defended several clients, including a national petroleum company, in government enforcement actions and citizens suits brought under the CWA involving allegations of MTBE contamination in groundwater and drinking water supplies.
Firm lawyers also represent clients in rulemaking and other government relations matters. They have represented clients in matters involving effluent limitations under the CWA, and helped advocate a client’s position in hearings undertaken pursuant to the CWA to address mercury accumulation in San Francisco Bay.
Safe Drinking Water Act
Reed Smith represents water utilities, private owners and potentially responsible parties (PRPs) in regulatory matters and litigation arising under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Our attorneys understand the SDWA and other applicable federal and state laws—as well as the scientific and public policy issues that underlie such matters. We investigate contamination claims, help select appropriate proposed remedies, and defend clients from claims arising in administrative, civil and criminal proceedings.
Natural Resource Damage
We also defend natural resource damages actions brought under CERCLA by the EPA and the Department of the Interior. Our attorneys have advised clients with properties located in environmentally sensitive areas such as river watersheds.